Swiss and Turks aim to forget Istanbul brawl

Switzerland and Turkey will aim to put the ugly scenes that marred their last encounter behind them when they meet at Euro 2008 today.

Media in both countries have been focusing for weeks on the violence that followed Switzerland's World Cup qualifying play-off victory in Istanbul in November 2005.

But with the teams facing the possibility of an early exit from the tournament after opening game defeats, they have insisted they are concentrating purely on the present.

"Of course, it's not easy to forget what happened in Istanbul," Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta said. "But we are trying not to dwell on it.

"The only similarity to the situation in Istanbul is that both sides need to win so Wednesday (today) will be like a final for all of us."

Turkey have steered clear of discussing the Istanbul match at their own news conferences but coach Fatih Terim has spoken in the past of his side's desire to put the matter behind them.

Switzerland lost the Istanbul encounter 4-2 but denied Turkey a place at the 2006 World Cup on away goals thanks to their 2-0 victory in the first leg in Berne.

The Swiss success was overshadowed by the subsequent clashes between players and coaching staff that saw Switzerland defender Stephane Grichting taken to hospital after a kick in the groin.

Police and security officials told Reuters that today's reunion was higher risk than other matches in Switzerland and more police would be deployed in Basel.

Key stats

• The first European Championship these teams qualified for was Euro 96. Both emerged from the same qualifying group after recording 2-1 away victories against each other.

• The last match these two contested, a 2006 World Cup qualifying play-off, ended in controversy after Switzerland lost 4-2 in Istanbul but won on away goals after a 4-4 draw. Turkey were forced to play three home matches at a neutral ground and behind closed doors after violent scenes followed the final whistle.

• Turkey defender Alpay Ozalan was banned for six competitive matches, Switzerland's Benjamin Huggel and Turkey's Emre Belozoglu for four, and Turkey's Serkan Balci for two.