Switzerland top after home rout

Switzerland have opened their European Championship qualifying campaign in style having beaten Georgia 4 -1 in Basel tonight …

Switzerland have opened their European Championship qualifying campaign in style having beaten Georgia 4 -1 in Basel tonight to move top of Group Ten.

Switzerland have opened their European Championship qualifying campaign in style having beaten Georgia 4 -1 in Basel tonight to move top of Group Ten and send a warning shot to Mick McCarthy and co that they, like Russia, will be no pushover.

After a slow start that so the visitors have most of the possession Alexander Frei settled the nerves with the opening goal of the game for the homeside after 37 minutes.

Local jubilation was short lived however as Rangers stars Arshil Averladze levelled the scores just after the hour. But like Ireland the day before Georgia allowed their host to strike back immediately through a Hakan Yalkin strike.

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Not content with the one gaol margin Switzerland grabbed the game by the throat and ten minutes and Patrick Muller strike later they were two ahead with three points in their sights.

Veteran striker Stephane Chapuisat sent Switzerland, Ireland's next opponents, to the top of the table with an 82nd strike.

Switzerland: Stiel; Haas, Henchoz, Murat Yakin, Ludovic Magnin; Cabanas, Vogel, Muller; Hakan Yakin; Frei, Chapuisat.

Georgia: Gwaramadse; Schekiladse, Nemsadse, Kaladse; Saiaia, Jamarauli, Zkitischvili, Kobiaschvili; Kinkladse; Demetradse, Schota Arveladse.

Referee: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia).

Switzerland 4(Frei 37, Hakan Yakin 63, Muller 74, Chapuisat 82)

Georgia 1(Arveladze 62)