World Cup 2014: Your guide to Group E - Switzerland; Ecuador; France; Honduras
The lowdown on all of the teams in Group E
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Your support makes all the difference.Fixtures (times BST):
June 15 Brasilia, 1700: Switzerland v Ecuador
June 15 Porto Alegre, 2000: France v Honduras
June 20 Salvador, 2000: Switzerland v France
June 20 Curitiba, 2300: Honduras v Ecuador
June 25 Manaus, 2100: Honduras v Switzerland
June 25 Rio de Janeiro, 2100: Ecuador v France
Switzerland
How they qualified
Uefa Group E Winners, ahead of Iceland.
Key player
Gokhan Inler (Napoli) The destructive Inler will be key in providing Switzerland with resilience in midfield.
Dangerman
Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich) – Yet another talented prodigy to be playing under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
World Cup best
Quarter-finalists three times, but not since 1954.
Premier League interest
Fulham’s Philippe Senderos and Pajtim Kasami. Plus Johan Djourou, on loan on at Hamburger SV from Arsenal.
Most expensive
Inler – £12m, from Udinese to Napoli, 2011
WORLD CUP 2014 INTERACTIVE GUIDE: The groups, fixtures, route to the final, venues and past winners
Ecuador
How they qualified
Finished fourth in Conmebol, behind Argentina, Colombia and Chile.
Key player
Edison Mendez (LDU Quito)- The quick midfielder is a set-piece specialist.
Dangerman
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)- The powerful and direct play of Valencia will be a threat to any opposition next year in Brazil.
World Cup best
2006 – Round of 16.
Premier League interest
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United).
Most expensive
Antonio Valencia - £16m from Wigan to Manchester United, 2009
France
How they qualified
Beat Ukraine in the play-off.
World Cup best
Winners (1998)
Key player
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)- Ribery played a key role in helping Bayern Munich lift the Champions League trophy in May. His performances this calendar year have left him in contention for this year’s Ballon d’Or award, making him a huge threat heading into Brazil.
Dangerman
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)- Benzema will be hoping to spearhead this rejuvenated France side as they head into the competition as one of the dark horses.
Premier League interest
Currently 31 French players in the division.
Most expensive
Zinedine Zidane, £54m, Juventus to Real Madrid, 2001
Honduras
How they qualified
Finished third in Concacaf, behind US and Costa Rica.
Key player
Wilson Palacios (Stoke City)- The defensive capabilities of Palacios will be a huge attribute for Honduras in Brazil next year.
Dangerman
Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution) Bengtson will be the main goal threat for Honduras after scoring 18 goals in 38 games for his country.
World Cup best
Group stage – 1982 & 2010.
Premier League interest
Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City), Roger Espinoza (played with Wigan in the Premier League).
Most expensive
Wilson Palacios, £12m Wigan to Tottenham, 2009
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