The two co-hosts have received very different injury news ahead of this summer's Euro 2008 sports betting bonanza.
Switzerland have received a major fitness boost ahead of Euro 2008, but their fellow co-hosts Austria have been dealt an equally important injury blow.Bayer Leverkusen star Tranquillo Barnetta last week suffered ankle ligament damage when he tangled with Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes during a training session with the Swiss national team.
Manager Jakob Kuhn had feared Barnetta would miss the tournament opener against Czech Republic on June 7th, but the squad's medical staff have now allayed those fears.
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Following the positive news, Switzerland are evens with 888sport to progress to the quarter-finals from Group A, which also includes Portugal and Turkey.
However, Austria goalkeeper Helge Payer has been ruled out of the tournament after doctors told him he needs emergency surgery to rectify a stomach condition.
Coach Josef Hickersberger has called up Ramazan Oezcan as a replacement and the Hoffenheim shot-stopper will compete with Jurgen Macho and Alex Manninger for the starting position in Austria's Group B opener against Croatia on June 8th.
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