Guide: Will Switzerland Break the Curse?

Switzerland is chasing a historic semifinal and victory against England in Düsseldorf. Turkey has to manage without round-of-16 hero Merih Demiral against the Netherlands in Berlin after a suspension due to the "wolf gesture". Here is the most important thing you need to know ahead of tonight's European Championship quarterfinals.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: July 06 2024

Guide: Will Switzerland Break the Curse?
Photo: Peter Klaunzer/AP/TT

Share this article

Switzerland is chasing a historic semifinal and victory against England in Düsseldorf.

Turkey will have to do without eighth-final hero Merih Demiral against the Netherlands in Berlin after a suspension due to the "wolf gesture".

Here's the most important thing you need to know ahead of tonight's European Championship quarterfinals.

What: England-Switzerland, quarterfinal.

When: Saturday, July 6, 18.00.

Where: Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf.

TV/Radio: SVT 2/SVT Play/P4 Radiosporten.

+ England's lucky draw

England is the top team in the European Championship that has had the most luck when it comes to the draw of the knockout stage tree. On the other side are pure football giants: Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France – while England has Switzerland in the quarterfinal, and in a potential semifinal, the winner between the Netherlands and Turkey awaits.

The English national team has been heavily criticized during the European Championship for its performances, and the question is whether England has any use for its lucky draw. Already in the eighth final, the team was badly off against a Slovakia that was on its way to a major upset. Not until extra time did Jude Bellingham equalize to 1–1 with a bicycle kick before Harry Kane nodded in the deciding goal in extra time.

.

+ Bellingham fined – but gets to play

England's offensive midfielder Jude Bellingham made an obscene gesture after his equalizing goal last time and has been fined by the European Football Association (Uefa) with a fine equivalent to around 340,000 kronor as a disciplinary penalty. The 21-year-old gets to play the quarterfinal, but will be suspended for one match after the European Championship.

All we can focus on is hopefully scoring earlier this time, said central defender John Stones before the penalty was issued, according to AFP.

.

+ Switzerland's quarterfinal curse

On one hand, a national team that has advanced from the group stage in six straight international championships since 2014. On the other hand, a team that has never gone further than the quarterfinals in the European Championship or World Championship.

Against England, Switzerland can write football history by reaching a first, historic semifinal. The Alpine nation has never managed to do so in its 18 played knockout stages, 6 European Championships, and 12 World Championships. In five of the championships (European Championship 2021, 2024, and World Championship 1934, 1938, 1954), the team has reached the quarterfinals.

.

What: Netherlands-Turkey, quarterfinal.

When: Saturday, July 6, 21.00.

Where: Olympiastadion, Berlin.

TV/Radio: TV4/TV4 Play/P4 Radiosporten.

+ Match hero suspended after "wolf gesture"

Turkey's eighth-final hero Merih Demiral is suspended for the quarterfinal. After his second goal in Tuesday's match against Austria, the 26-year-old central defender made the "wolf gesture" with his hands, a high-nationalist symbol that can be linked to the organization Grey Wolves.

The political gesture resulted in a two-match suspension from Uefa. This means that Demiral is also suspended for a potential semifinal against Switzerland or England.

.

+ Championship specialist Gakpo

Cody Gakpo shares the lead in the European Championship's top scorer list with three goals, along with three other players. The 25-year-old Liverpool player has shown himself to be a championship goal scorer of rank in recent years, despite playing time being scarce in the club team this season.

He's playing at a fantastic level in this championship and is maybe our best player. I hope the rest can come up to the same level, says national team coach Ronald Koeman, according to The Guardian.

In the World Championship in Qatar over a year and a half ago, Gakpo also scored three goals, when the Netherlands was eliminated by eventual champions Argentina.

.

+ Calhanoglu back

Hakan Calhanoglu received two yellow cards in the European Championship group stage and was suspended when Turkey knocked out Austria 2–1 in the eighth final.

Against the Netherlands, the 30-year-old team captain and midfielder is again available for play and is likely to go straight into national team coach Vincenzo Montella's starting eleven.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Sweden Faces Intense World Championship Qualification Challenge
3 MIN READ

Sweden Faces Intense World Championship Qualification Challenge

Norwegian Striker Cathinka Tandberg Departs Hammarby
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Striker Cathinka Tandberg Departs Hammarby

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Advances to US Open Semifinal
1 MIN READ

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Advances to US Open Semifinal

Melina Andersson Wins Silver in Canoe Marathon World Championship
1 MIN READ

Melina Andersson Wins Silver in Canoe Marathon World Championship

Liverpool Signs Beata Olsson from Kristianstad in Record Transfer
1 MIN READ

Liverpool Signs Beata Olsson from Kristianstad in Record Transfer

Frölunda and Färjestad Set for Exciting Women's Hockey Rivalry
3 MIN READ

Frölunda and Färjestad Set for Exciting Women's Hockey Rivalry

Slovenia vs Sweden: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
3 MIN READ

Slovenia vs Sweden: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview

Louise Etzner Jakobsson Wins First European Championship Gold
1 MIN READ

Louise Etzner Jakobsson Wins First European Championship Gold

French Women's Boxing Team Misses World Championship Due to Late Gender Test
2 MIN READ

French Women's Boxing Team Misses World Championship Due to Late Gender Test

Roberth Björknesjö Named New Head Coach of Allsvenska Öster
1 MIN READ

Roberth Björknesjö Named New Head Coach of Allsvenska Öster

Jon Dahl Tomasson Tasked with Leading Sweden to World Championship
3 MIN READ

Jon Dahl Tomasson Tasked with Leading Sweden to World Championship

Swedish TV to Miss NFL Broadcasts This Season
1 MIN READ

Swedish TV to Miss NFL Broadcasts This Season

Christian Eriksen Trains with Malmö FF Amidst Transfer Speculation
2 MIN READ

Christian Eriksen Trains with Malmö FF Amidst Transfer Speculation

Axel Norén Joins Swedish National Team for World Cup Qualifiers
1 MIN READ

Axel Norén Joins Swedish National Team for World Cup Qualifiers

Israel-Premier Tech Urged to Withdraw from Tour of Spain for Safety
2 MIN READ

Israel-Premier Tech Urged to Withdraw from Tour of Spain for Safety

Sjöström Eyes Possible Comeback at 2026 European Championship
2 MIN READ

Sjöström Eyes Possible Comeback at 2026 European Championship

Jannik Sinner Advances to US Open Semifinals After Defeating Musetti
2 MIN READ

Jannik Sinner Advances to US Open Semifinals After Defeating Musetti

Swiatek Out of US Open as Osaka Reaches Semifinals
1 MIN READ

Swiatek Out of US Open as Osaka Reaches Semifinals

Sweden to Play Turkey in European Championship Basketball Round of 16
1 MIN READ

Sweden to Play Turkey in European Championship Basketball Round of 16

Swedish Teen Lea Nilsson Stuns Top Seed at US Open Junior
1 MIN READ

Swedish Teen Lea Nilsson Stuns Top Seed at US Open Junior