Last but not least: Turning set with pitfalls

As seen on Saturday on Tagesanzeiger.ch:

Sport also takes unexpected turns. For once, the national soccer team has made everything clear ahead of time. A must-win match in which, in a positive sense, nothing more is at stake - uncharted territory for Switzerland. The group was undoubtedly easy. But one remembers all too well the times when Switzerland stumbled over supposedly easy opponents when the chips were down. Fortunately not this time, the turning point brought it to the point. For one day, because after a few calculations, the next unexpected twist followed: Against Slovenia, we better not take it easy at all! Because another - no less pleasing - premiere beckons: pot one in the group draw for the final round!

With a win on Tuesday and a little help from either Italy, Uruguay or Colombia, Switzerland can expect nothing less than to advance to the group of seven best teams in the FIFA world rankings. These, along with hosts Brazil, make up the coveted first pot - the top teams distributed by lot among the eight groups. In other words: Those who are themselves in the first pot are guaranteed not to meet the other seven top teams in the group stage, but "only" nominally weaker countries. That's a stroke of luck for Switzerland, because it will have to deal with opponents like Germany, Spain and Argentina soon enough in the knockout phase if it qualifies.

"A fantastic view and additional motivation for the game against Slovenia," national coach Otthmar Hitzfeld told the Sonntagsblick. It looks like the comfort will have to wait. But never mind, the next turnaround opportunity is sure to come. For example, on July 14, 2014, the day after the grand final:
 

Thomas Häusermann