SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Switzerland prepare for a noisy match against Spain

Record ID: 454725

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Switzerland prepare for a noisy match against Spain
  • Date: 16th June 2010
  • Summary: DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 15, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF MEDIA CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) OTTMAR HITZFELD, MANAGER OF SWISS TEAM SAYING: "Well we had another public training because we know that there would be fans with vuvuzelas and we knew that the noise would be there, that there would be a high level in terms of the noise with the vuvuzelas and it will become more difficult to communicate between the players, you have to shout quite a bit to communicate. But it is good for the players to be prepared for what is ready for them on the pitch." REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) OTTMAR HITZFELD, MANAGER OF SWISS TEAM SAYING: "Well no the decision has been taken and Gokhan Inler is definately a player who will become more and more of a major support for our team. Alexander Frei our standard captain won't be playing because he sprained his ankle so Inler will be the captain tomorrow." WIDE OF MEDIA CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) OTTAMR HITZFELD, MANAGER OF SWISS TEAM SAYING: "Well there is always a major opportunity at one point and you always hope for the next match. As far as a probability is concerned I think at one point we are going to beat Spain and why not tomorrow." WIDE OF MEDIA CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PHILIPPE SENDEROS SWISS DEFENDER SAYING: "Well I wish al the best to Cesc Fabregas, I hope that he is very fortunate and lucky wherever he goes. He is captain of Arsenal. He still has a contract with Arsenal. He is an Arsenal player for the time being, nothing else should be said and Cesc is a great champion, and wherever he goes I wish him luck. If he goes to Real Madrid or Barcelona, I wish him luck." WIDE OF MEDIA CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 1st July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA95ZCRXYCLG00O77LND6XV8RKY
  • Story Text: Switzerland are holding their training sessions with vuvuzela-blowing South African fans to help players acclimatise to the din, the Swiss coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld said on Tuesday (June 15).
    The Alpine nation face favourites Spain in their opening Group H match in Durban on Wednesday (June 16) and Hitzfeld's approach is in stark contrast to a Dutch ban on the distinctive South African horns at their training sessions.
    "We had another public training because we knew that there would be fans with vuvuzelas and we knew that the noise would be there," Hitzfeld told a news conference in the 62,760-seater Moses Mabhida stadium. "It will become more difficult to communicate between the players. You have to shout quite a bit to communicate, but it's good for the players to be prepared for what's in store for them on the pitch," he said.
    Vuvuzelas have been controversial since last year's Confederations Cup, a World Cup dress rehearsal, when several players complained they could not talk through the racket.
    Hitzfeld, the former Champions League winning coach of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, said midfielder Gokhan Inler would be captain in the absence of striker Alexander Frei.
    "Gokhan Inler is definitely a player who will become more and more of a major support for our team," he said.
    Switzerland have never beaten Spain in 18 attempts and Hitzfeld said opposing coach Vicente Del Bosque was blessed with the "team of the century with incredible talents".
    "As far as probabilities are concerned, at one point we are going to beat Spain. And why not tomorrow?
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