Schar settles battle of the brothers
SWITZERLAND’S Granit Xhaka won the battle of the brothers as Albania’s debut at a major tournament ended in defeat.
The new Arsenal midfielder was up against his brother Taulant in the opposition ranks – the first time two siblings have faced each other in European Championship history – but it was the younger of the two who came out on top in the Group A clash.
Albania’s nerves were understandable but goalkeeper Etrit Berisha’s decision to come for a fifth-minute corner was misguided as he completely missed Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross, allowing Fabian Schar to head home.
The tournament newcomers continued to shoot themselves in the foot, however, and captain Lorik Cana’s sending-off for a second bookable offence 10 minutes before half-time killed all the momentum built up after overcoming their initial anxiety.
Berisha went on to redeem himself with a number of good saves but the early damage could not be repaired, although it was not for the lack of effort as the wellsupported Albanians made light of their numerical disadvantage with a gutsy display.
An affinity between the two nations was well-established off the pitch a long time before they met on it as Switzerland accepted thousands of Kosovar Albanians fleeing the Balkan wars in the 1990s following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.
The Xhaka brothers – whose parents were part of that migration – are the embodiment of that, with Taulant switching allegiance to Albania having played for Switzerland Under-21s.
Granit may have won the individual duel with his brother, who was substituted just past the hour, but it was Hoffenheim defender Schar who was the unlikely match-winner.