Switzerland
Euro 2020: Swiss coach confident of last-16 spot despite tough travel
Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic is confident his side have done enough to reach the last 16 at Euro 2020 after a 3-1 win over Turkey on Sunday but he criticised the long distances his side have had to travel during the tournament. Xherdan Shaqiri scored two superb goals as Switzerland secured third place in Group A at Euro 2020 with the win against Turkey, but they now face an anxious wait to see if they will reach the last 16. The Swiss, who finished level on four points with Wales but behind on goal difference, will hope to secure a spot in the knockouts as one of the four best third-placed finishers from the six groups. “We scored a few goals but unfortunately we had more chances we didn’t convert,” Petkovic said. “It wasn’t a perfect game but it was a good game.” “It should be enou...
Summer Series: Super Falcons return to base
The Nigerian delegation to the just concluded Four-Nation invitational tournament tagged Summer Series which took place in Houston and Austin in Texas, United States, have arrived the country. The 10 home-based Super Falcons players, three assistant coaches, Ann Chiejine, Wemimo Mathew and Auwal Makwalla (Goalkeepers Trainer) as well as backroom staff arrived Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Friday. Others in the entourage are two Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board Members and Chairperson, NFF Women’s Football Committee, Hon. Huliyat Ayo Omidiran. Earlier, foreign-based Falcons players especially those who are resident in U.S left the team’s Fairmont Hotel in Austin a day after Nigeria lost 2-0 to USWNT in the Summer Series finale on Wednesday night which was 2 am in Nig...
Arsenal-linked midfielder MOTM, Chelse and Inter men also shine – Italy 3-0 Switzerland Player Ratings
Italy continued their near-perfect start to Euro 2020 with a wonderful performance and win against Switzerland. The hosts dominated the first half, and thought they’d made a breakthrough when Giorgio Chiellini bundled home from Lorenzo Insigne’s corner. However, VAR ruled the goal out after replays showed that the ball struck Chiellini’s hand. This was his last contribution of the game, as he was substituted with an injury shortly afterwards. But it was not long before Italy took the lead with a wonderful goal. Manuel Locatelli played an excellent pass out to Domenico Berardi, who drove into the box and squared back to Locatelli for a tap in. Roberto Mancini’s men continued to control the first half, and they almost got a second when Leonardo Spinazzola was played through by Insigne, but t...
Gareth Bale: Wales in ‘great position’ for Euro 2020 last 16
Captain Gareth Bale said Wednesday’s win over Turkey in Baku puts Wales in a “great position” to reach the Euro 2020 last 16. Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored to send Wales top of Group A on four points before Italy host Switzerland later on. “The victory puts us in a great position,” Bale told the BBC. “If you’d have offered us four points at the start we would’ve bitten your hand off,” he added. A hostile crowd whistled every touch from Bale and his team-mate with the locals supporting the Crescent Stars due to historical links between Turkey and Azerbaijan. “It helped, playing in front of no fans it’s difficult to get the adrenaline going,” Bale said. “The fans were fantastic, I know most of them were Turkish but the Wales fans were incredible. “We want to thanks the fans at home ...
Euro 2020: Wales set for hostile crowd as Italy eye knockouts
Wales are bracing for a hostile reception when they face Turkey in Baku at Euro 2020 on Wednesday while rejuvenated Italy can seal their place in the last-16 with victory against Switzerland. After drawing 1-1 with the Swiss in their opening Group A game, Wales play in the capital of Azerbaijan, with locals expected to get behind their Turkish neighbours, who will also have several thousand travelling fans on their side. Wales captain Gareth Bale, who experienced a dizzying run to the semi-finals at Euro 2016, said he was unfazed by the prospect of an aggressive atmosphere. “Hostility is no problem,” said the Real Madrid forward. “This is what we do for a living. We’re used to playing in away games and being in front of hostile crowds.” Turkey are desperate to shake off the disappointment ...
Euro 2020 Diary: Arsenal star has a shocker, pundit has lost the plot
Day 4 of the European Championships provided the standout moment of the tournament to date as Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-0 at Hampden Park. Patrik Schick’s stunning long-range strike caught goalkeeper David Marshall on the hop and left most England fans smiling. Wonder goals aside, there has been plenty going on around the tournament – here’s what has caught our eye over the past 24 hours. Blondes have more fun? Phil Foden’s new Paul Gascoigne inspired haircut appears to have started a trend, with Granit Xhaka the latest player to join the ice cream club. He revealed his new ‘style’ during a video call with his wife Leonita, who understandably looked a little shocked at what she saw. Granit Xhaka has a new look for the rest of #Euro2020… pic.twitter.com/djqcV4m4QK — Sky Sports Premier ...
All Euro 2020 nation crests redesigned, for the modern era
National team crests are just different from their club counterparts. Both are an integral part of the team’s history, and both are definitely tattooed on many of the fans. However, in the past decade or so, most national team crests have already been updated and bought into the modern era of design. National team crests also seem to be simpler and have less elements than their club counterparts. That being said, I did find some ways to further simplify them. In some cases through minor changes without removing elements. It was also interesting to note how similar some of the crests can be to each other. For example Scotland, Netherlands & Wales all feature a roaring majestic lion or dragon. Or how Sweden and Finland, both nordic countries, feature their flags on a shield. I have tried...
Bundesliga forward shines, Real Madrid star fails to live up to hype – Wales 1-1 Switzerland Player Ratings
Wales and Switzerland played out a tight draw in their opening game of Euro 2020 on Saturday. It was an open first half which Switzerland had the better of. However, it was Wales who came the closest to opening the scoring before the break. Daniel James got down the left and swung in an excellent cross for Kieffer Moore. The Cardiff City forward headed towards the far corner, but Yann Sommer produced a fine save to tip over. Down the other end, Fabian Schar had a flick from a corner saved by Danny Ward, and Haris Seferovic twice missed the target with shots inside the box. Just before the whistle, Vladimir Petkovic’s men had a glorious chance to take the lead when Breel Embolo laid off for Seferovic, but the 29-year-old’s shooting was once again wayward. The chances continued to come for S...
COVID-19: Hard choices made by Nigeria responsible for successful impact – President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said the hard choices made by his administration to tackle the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world have yielded successful impacts. The president, who addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on Saturday to mark the 2021 Democracy Day, was referring to some measures, including travel restrictions across the states of the federation and beyond, compulsory use of nose masks, hand washing protocols and other relevant protocols instituted to limit spread of the virus. Mr Buhari said; “Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. “You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of proactive measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed. “...
Euro 2020: We’re prepared to face Switzerland, Italy, Turkey – Gareth Bale
Wales captain Gareth Bale says he’s optimistic the team will qualify to the knockout stages of Euro 2020 despite been pitted alongside Italy, Turkey and Switzerland. Wales are expected to kick-off their campaign against Switzerland on Saturday and Bale in a pre-match press conference stated that they are well-prepared for the tournament. Bale is one of eight survivors from the Wales squad that reached the last four in France when Chris Coleman was in charge, and the Real Madrid star is looking no further than the crunch first game against the Swiss. “I think it’s similar,” said Bale when asked at his pre-match press conference about Wales’ expectations heading into Euro 2020 compared to last time out. “Coming on the back of 2016 people will argue that maybe we should be doing things, but w...
Real Madrid and Liverpool stars expected to be the focus in Euro 2020 game on Saturday
Baku Olympic Stadium is the venue as Wales and high-flying Switzerland exchange tackles in their Euro 2020 Group A opener on Saturday. The teams have experienced contrasting fortunes gearing up for the tournament. With Turkey and Italy the remaining two nations in this section, neither side can afford a slip-up here if they are to qualify for the knock-out stages. Note: You can watch all Euro 2020 games via live streaming. Wales vs Switzerland Wales and Switzerland have never met at a major tournament before, with the Dragons running out 2-0 victors in their most recent competitive showdown back in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. None of their seven historical encounters have ended as a draw, friendlies included, with Switzerland picking up five triumphs compared to Wales’ two wins. Going back t...
Ex-Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana appointed GC Zurich technical director
Switzerland side Grasshopper Club Zurich have appointed former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana as the new technical director. The 40-year-old was most recently a loan manager at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Olofinjana will take over the position of Technical Director at the Grasshopper Club Zurich with immediate effect and will be responsible for sports. He is taking over the position of interim sports director from Jimmy Berisha, who is stepping back into his role as Managing Director. ”Olofinjana was active in his career as a player for Stoke City, Hull City and the Wolverhampton Wanderers, among others. After his active career, he worked for the Wolverhampton Wanderers in various positions. Most recently, he worked as a loan manager,” reads a statement on the club website. “Olofinja...
