Swiss psyched up for Group A adventure

The prospect of playing hosts France was almost overshadowed for Switzerland by a meeting with Albania, which will bring Granit Xhaka up against his brother Taulant in UEFA EURO 2016 Group A.

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Vladimir Petković, Switzerland coach
It is a pleasure to be in a group with France, who are one of the favourites, not only in our group but also for the tournament as a whole. It is extra motivation, too, because we had some difficulties in our last match against France, so we can show that we have developed and come on; we could even spring a surprise.

But we also have two other opponents to face who are very dangerous: Romania only conceded two goals in qualification and will be difficult opponents; and then last we have to play Albania, which will be like a derby as a lot of members of the Albanian team grew up in Switzerland.

We will get the chance to see two brothers playing each other [Granit and Taulant Xhaka]. It will be a real derby with a lot of emotion. But our objective is to get through this group and make it into the next round.

Granit Xhaka, Switzerland midfielder
I was hoping that we would get to play against Albania at UEFA EURO 2016 and now it is really going to happen.