Switzerland vs. Spain, Wednesday, June 16, 2010, Durban, South Africa

Opening game for Spain and Switzerland in the tournament. This will be a major test for Spain.

Switzerland is coached by Ottmar Hitzfeld, a phe-no-me-nal coach. Hitzfeld won two European Championships (nowaday called Champions Leagues) with two different clubs, Borusia Dortmund (1997) and Bayern Munich (2001). Only two more coaches in the history of European football have accomplished such an achievement (Ernst Happoel and Jose Mourinho).

It will be interesting to see what strategy he uses against Spain. Let me make an educated guess--tight defense and one player forward. That is, the way the US beat Spain in the ConfeCup, and the way that Inter Milan beat Barcelona in the last Champions Leage. Defense, defense, defense, and direct football whenever they steal the ball. With this strategy, Hitzfeld will settle for a tie and hope for a lonely goal in his favor. He will not give up on the possibility of scoring in a counter-attack, a free kick or a shot from far away. For example, Ilner scored from far away in a friendly game against Italy a few days ago



The Swiss defensive mistake in the Italian goal is also quite remarkable.

Thus Switzerland will most likely test Spain's ability to score against a tight defense put up by a muscular, very disciplined, and very well-organized team. Needless to say, if Spain scores first, then the game will change completely.

Spain will meet with this type of defensive strategy again and again in the tournament. Italy and Brazil will eventually play Spain in the exact same way, possibly with the defensive line a little further away from their goalie than Switzerland can afford. It is up to Del Bosque to rehearse as we speak the kind of attacking moves that can cut throught this kind of ultra-defensive strategy. Constant movements without the ball and passing the ball fast are the two mantras that Spain must keep repeating to itself. If it stays true to them, it should beat Switzerland. As for Brazil and Italy... we will see in due time.