Nati sees red: we have a Spanish curse

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Oje instead of ole! Switzerland met Spain three times in the knockout phase of a final round and every time we said: Adios!

The nightmare begins at the 1994 World Cup. After a long dry spell, the Swiss A-Nati is finally back at a World Cup. And after the 4:1 in the second group match against strong Romanians, we hope for the big achievement. But they are immediately smothered in the eighth finals by merciless Spaniards, who beat Bregy, Sutter and Co. sending home 3-0. Goals for Spain: Fernando Hierro, Luis Enrique and Txiki Begiristain.

17 years later, at the 2011 European U21 Championship, Switzerland stormed into the final with Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Yann Sommer. After somewhat weaker opponents, a high hurdle with Spain awaits there. And turns out to be too high for our young stars. It’s 0:2 after 90 minutes. In the second goal, Thiago Alcantara, the later Barça, Bayern and Liverpool star, beats Yann Sommer from the halfway line.

Oje or ole?

Ten years later, the A-Nati is in a quarterfinal of a European Championship for the first time. For a long time it looks like the Spaniards can be beaten this time. But then Remo Freuler is sent off and has to watch his teammates lose in a penalty shootout after a heroic fight.

There is a Spanish curse on Switzerland! The fact that we sensationally won the opening game against Furja Roja at the 2010 World Cup does not change that. But: For Switzerland, the tournament was over after the group stage – and Spain finally became world champions.

Next attempt in the quarter-finals of the U21 European Championship to beat the Spanish curse: Oje or olé?

Source : Blick