Switzerland eye Sweden scalp
Nizhniy Novgorod, July 2: Switzerland have made headlines in Russia for their players’ controversial goal celebrations but the team stands on the verge of matching their bestever run at a World Cup.
If Vladimir Petkovic’s side beat Sweden in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, they will become the first Swiss team in 64 years to qualify for the quarter- finals of football’s biggest tournament. Although they have largely gone under the radar in Russia — double- eagle scoring celebrations against Serbia aside against — the unheralded team are enjoying an impressive tournament. Marshalled by skipper Stephan Lichtsteiner, driven by Valon Behrami’s energy, and able to call on Xherdan Shaqiri’s c r e a t i v i t y, S w i t z e r l a n d emerged from a tricky Group E that included tour nament f a v o u r i t e s Brazil.
They are unbeaten in Russia, have scored in every game and a defeat against Portugal last October is the only blemish in an impressive run of results over the past two years.
Add in impressive goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who writes a gourmet food blog when not playing international football, and Switzerland are becoming a formidable unit.
“We want more and more,” Petkovic said.
“We are used to making history, we have big ambitions and the next big ambition is to beat Sweden.”
Switzerland’s defence have excelled so far but will be without key defenders Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer against Sweden.