Barnetta steps up for Swiss

Under-21 international Tranquillo Barnetta has been called into Switzerland's squad for UEFA EURO 2004™ following the withdrawal of Johann Lonfat.

U21 experience
The 19-year-old FC St. Gallen player appeared for Switzerland in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals in Germany, but was unable to help his side progress beyond the group stage. He was part of the Swiss side that emerged triumphant in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals two years ago and has appeared in 14 games for the U21 side, scoring three times, but is yet to make his full debut.

Chiumiento chance
Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn initially opted to select Barnetta's fellow U21 international Davide Chiumiento but the Swiss-Italian, who holds two passports, declined the invitation as he has not yet given hope of appearing for Italy. "I don't feel ready to decide [which country to represent] now," the Juventus FC forward said.

Back injury
FC Sochaux Montbéliard's Lonfat failed a fitness test prior to Switzerland's friendly with Liechtenstein on Sunday afternoon after failing to recover fully from a back injury that had troubled him all week. Lonfat was forced out of training on Saturday and subsequently underwent further medical examinations before team doctors decided that the injury would not heal in time for the finals. He therefore became the third significant withdrawal from Kuhn's squad after forwards Marco Streller and Leonard Thurre were both ruled out through injury.

Group B games
Switzerland begin their EURO 2004™ finals campaign against Croatia in Leiria on 13 June, with England and holders France also forming the opposition in Group B.