In six weeks, the European Championship kicks off in Germany. The Swiss national team is taking part in a European Championship finals for the third consecutive time and will face hosts Germany, Scotland, and Hungary in Group A. Here is everything you need to know about the preliminary round.
The Nati's match schedule
- Saturday, June 15: Hungary vs. Switzerland in Cologne
- Wednesday, June 19: Scotland vs. Switzerland in Cologne
- Sunday, June 23: Switzerland vs. Germany in Frankfurt
The opening match will be played by Germany and Scotland on June 14 in Munich. The final will take place on July 14 in Berlin.
The format
24 teams will play in six groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will reach the round of 16. The chances of advancing are therefore good, but a false start should be avoided.
The opponents at a glance
Hungary is an uncomfortable opening opponent. The team is well-organized and has a playmaker in Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool FC who excels at set-pieces and long-range shots.
Scotland thrives on commitment, fight, and enormous fan support. Thousands of Scots will travel to Cologne.
Germany is playing the European Championship on home soil and will be carried by the euphoria. For the Nati, the duel at the end of the group stage will be a highlight.
The Nati: experienced and well-drilled
Switzerland has regularly reached the knockout stages in recent years. The round of 16 victory against world champions France at the 2021 European Championship remains unforgettable. With players like Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji, Yann Sommer, and Xherdan Shaqiri, the team possesses a great deal of tournament experience.
The European Championship in numbers
- 24 teams
- 51 matches
- 10 venues: Berlin, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart
- 1 trophy, which Italy brings as the defending champion
For Swiss fans, the European Championship is closer than ever. Cologne and Frankfurt can be reached by train in just a few hours, and many fans will be making the trip. Those who don't have a ticket can find public viewing events in many Swiss cities.
Tournaments are decided in front of the goal
In major tournaments, matches are often tight. Many games are decided by a single moment: a set-piece, a rebound, or a first-time strike from a cross. Teams that ruthlessly take such opportunities go far.
This also applies to amateur football. Anyone who stays calm in the decisive moment and strikes the ball cleanly makes the difference. This composure is developed in training: through so many repetitions that the movement becomes automatic.
Ready for the EM summer?
The European Championship is the perfect motivation to work more on your own game. Whether with friends in the garden or before training: with the VOLLEYCHAMP®, you can train volleys and first-time strikes under the same conditions, without needing a teammate to feed the ball.
Our prediction? Better not!
Whether the Nati survives the group stage will be decided on the pitch. What is clear is that the opener against Hungary carries great weight. A victory in the first match would put them in an excellent position, allowing them to approach the duels against Scotland and Germany with more composure. Tournament experience, a stable defense, and players who look for the finish in decisive moments certainly speak in Switzerland's favor.
We look forward to an exciting summer of football. Hopp Schwiiz!
