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

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

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels
1 MIN READ

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels Him Up 39 Spots in Shanghai

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out
1 MIN READ

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out for Season After Knee Injury

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach
1 MIN READ

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach of Södertälje Sports Club

Robots Struggle in First Human
1 MIN READ

Robots Struggle in First Human vs. Machine Half-Marathon in Beijing

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's
2 MIN READ

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's Leadership in Tampa Bay

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with
1 MIN READ

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with Overtime Win Over Atlanta

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best Round at LPGA in Los Angeles

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's
1 MIN READ

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's Lead Over Moreirense

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve
2 MIN READ

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve Training by Canucks Coach Tocchet

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits
1 MIN READ

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits World Championship in Brazil

Ludvig Åberg Struggles to Find
1 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles to Find Form at RBC Heritage

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward for Alleged Spearing Incident

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World
2 MIN READ

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World Championship, But Confirmation Pending

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending
2 MIN READ

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending Winning Streak

Malmö FF Held to Draw
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Held to Draw by Sirius: "Supporters Deserve Better"

Teen Talent Olivia Ulenius Propels
1 MIN READ

Teen Talent Olivia Ulenius Propels Djurgården to League Summit

Djurgården Triumphs to Semifinals Despite
1 MIN READ

Djurgården Triumphs to Semifinals Despite Key Injuries

Chelsea Eyes Champions League Revenge
3 MIN READ

Chelsea Eyes Champions League Revenge Against Barcelona

Rangers End Season with 4-0
1 MIN READ

Rangers End Season with 4-0 Victory Over Lightning

Calle Halfvarsson Parts Ways with
2 MIN READ

Calle Halfvarsson Parts Ways with National Ski Team After 14 Years

Sagström Tied for Fourth After
1 MIN READ

Sagström Tied for Fourth After Hole-in-One at LPGA Los Angeles

Ellen Wangerheim Eyes European Championship
3 MIN READ

Ellen Wangerheim Eyes European Championship After Stellar Season Start

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in South
2 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in South Carolina After US Masters Challenge

Djurgården Secures Semifinal Spot Against
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Secures Semifinal Spot Against Chelsea in Conference League

Filip Forsberg Set for Home
1 MIN READ

Filip Forsberg Set for Home World Championship with Sweden

Tottenham Advances to Europa League
1 MIN READ

Tottenham Advances to Europa League Semifinals with Win Over Frankfurt

Sweden Edges Finland 2-1 in
2 MIN READ

Sweden Edges Finland 2-1 in World Championship Warm-Up

Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui Receives
1 MIN READ

Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui Receives 21-Month Doping Ban

Scottie Scheffler Doubts Rangefinders Will
2 MIN READ

Scottie Scheffler Doubts Rangefinders Will Speed Up Golf Rounds

Tove Alexandersson Criticizes Media for
2 MIN READ

Tove Alexandersson Criticizes Media for Misinterpreting Her Views

Hockeyallsvenskan Enforces Rule to Protect
3 MIN READ

Hockeyallsvenskan Enforces Rule to Protect Referees During Finals

Virgil van Dijk Signs Two-Year
1 MIN READ

Virgil van Dijk Signs Two-Year Extension with Liverpool

Sweden Exits World Championship After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Exits World Championship After Controversial Loss to Finland

Alexander Straus to Coach Celebrity-Backed
1 MIN READ

Alexander Straus to Coach Celebrity-Backed Angel City FC

Daniel Hermansson Named Skellefteå AIK's
1 MIN READ

Daniel Hermansson Named Skellefteå AIK's New Head Coach

London City Lionesses Near Top
3 MIN READ

London City Lionesses Near Top League Promotion with Three Matches Left