SWISS GAME ON

The t.v. sets in the rooms are tuned into the Switzerland-Austria friendly that is taking place about two hours away in Zurich. Austria nearly scored in the opening minute, and Switzerland did just that sixty seconds later on a breakaway. The Austrians stormed back, and before the game was five minutes old the score was even at 1-1. The game has been an atypically open affair, the normally stingy Swiss defense allowing several good opportunities. Remember, this is a team that didn't give up a single goal in the 2006 World Cup. Switzerland has moved ahead as we write, taking advantage of an Austrian miscue at midfield and a fine individual effort by Bayer Leverkusen-based midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta. It's 2-1 to the hosts at the break.