EURO HISTORY Best performance: Round 1 in 1996 Recent performances:1980-1992: Did not qualify 1996 R1 2000 Did not qualify

The Swiss failed to qualify for a major tournament between 1966 and 1992, but in a purple patch during the 1990s made it to USA 94 and Euro 96.

Englishman Roy Hodgson led Switzerland USA 94, though the former Blackburn boss quit the national team in 1995.

The Swiss managed a surprise 1-1 draw with hosts England in their opening game in Euro 1996, before narrowly losing to Holland and Scotland.

Stephane Chapuisat played for Switzerland in England and the striker is still part of the Swiss squad, which is now coached by Kobi Kuhn.

Other experienced Swiss internationals include Stephane Henchoz of Liverpool and Hakan Yakin, who helped Christian Gross' Basle side upset Celtic and Liverpool in the Champions League.

Allied to that experienced trio, Kuhn has at his disposal a couple of promising youngsters - Rennes striker Alex Frei and Ricardo Cabanas, the highly-rated midfielder at Grasshoppers.

Marco Streller, outstanding for FC Basel, has also been drafted into the squad.

The Swiss have also achieved encouraging results at youth level and Kuhn will hope his younger players will come of age in Portugal this summer.

In May 2002 Switzerland won the European under-17 championships while they also went all the way to the European under-21 semi-finals.

Kuhn knows this crop of youngsters well having had spells managing at under-17 and under-21 level before he succeeded Argentinian Enzo Trossero as senior manager in June last year.

Switzerland will be no rollover during Euro 2004 - Kuhn's side topped their qualifying group, which also included Russia and the Republic of Ireland.