Co-hosts look to sign off in style

UEFA EURO 2008™ will move a step closer for co-hosts Switzerland and Austria tonight as they respectively conclude two years of friendly fixtures against Liechtenstein and Malta.

Barnetta out
The Swiss last played a competitive match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup – a tournament they negotiated without conceding a goal – and will be keen to impress before they get EURO under way against the Czech Republic in Basel on Saturday 7 June. Coach Jakob Kuhn said: "I expect us to dominate Liechtenstein and play confidently but not too arrogantly. We will play pretty much the starting lineup which will face the Czechs." That will not include Tranquillo Barnetta as the attacking midfielder is not fully fit for the game in St Gallen.

Hickersberger hopeful
Having missed out on the World Cup, Austria have not played a competitive game since beating Northern Ireland in October 2005 in their final qualifier for Germany. Results since have hardly been encouraging, yet they should prove too strong for Malta in Graz this evening. "It's not necessarily a test to take seriously but rather a game to help improve the mood in the country," said coach Josef Hickersberger. Austria's first EURO opponents are Croatia in Vienna on Sunday 8 June.