Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn remains upbeat about his team's Euro 2004 prospects despite seeing them out-muscled in their 2-0 home defeat by Germany on Wednesday.
Kuhn predicted the Swiss would be in much better shape in Portugal on June 13 when they meet Croatia in their opening fixture in Group B, which also contains European champions France and England.
"We made plenty of chances, but we could not take them," said the 60-year-old Swiss after two Kevin Kuranyi goals gave Germany victory.
"I am not as disappointed as you might think. We played hard, we were tired after a lot of training in the last few days and we did not collect any more injuries, so that was a good thing.
"Our only major problem was in our finishing. We had a lot of possession and played some good football, but we could not score a goal.
"We played well enough and we just needed a goal from one of our chances."
Switzerland, adopting their usual 4-3-1-2 formation, survived a shaky opening 10 minutes, controlled possession for half an hour during which they created their best chances and were then out-powered after the interval.
A mistake by right back Bernt Haas set up the opening goal for Kuranyi after 61 minutes and he headed the second after 84 from a cross by Arne Friedrich.
Haas said: "It is better that I made my mistake now than on June 13.
"I wanted to head the ball back to the goalkeeper, but it flew away across the goal. It was entirely my fault.
"After that I think we lost our way, but I am sure we played well enough in spells to show that we can perform well in Portugal."
ROMANIA LOSS
Germany coach Rudi Voeller admitted his team were still repairing confidence after a 5-1 thrashing in Romania in April.
"That result is still in our minds," said Voeller, whose team open their Euro 2004 campaign against the Netherlands on June 15. They also face the Czech Republic and Latvia in Group D.
"But this is a good result. It is a long time since we had a player scoring two goals and it is good for his and the team's confidence."
Germany's 2-0 win extended their long unbeaten record against the Swiss to 16 matches stretching back to 1956. Stuttgart striker Kuranyi has now scored four goals in 12 appearances.
"I am not suggesting we have overcome anything with this result," added Voeller.
"We are preparing for the championship and I feel we have made progress, but no-one can rest. I don't think anyone in the team can be sure of their place yet and it is better that way."
