Hæ Hæ (Hello in Icelandic)
Every month, FIFA publishes the World Ranking for the Men's National Teams. When the ranking came out early this month, Switzerland was right behind Brazil, only 18 points separate the 2 teams.
With 2 qualification games scheduled this month, the Swiss team has a good chance to pass Brazil in the ranking. This possibility was reported in the Swiss media and was discussed among the Swiss fans.
The first qualification game was against Norway last Friday in Bern. It was an exciting game but Norway was more dangerous. With 10 minutes left, the Swiss scored off a corner and I really thought we had 3 points. But a few minutes later, Norway got a corner and the Swiss defense fell asleep. The tall Norwegian captain Brede Hangeland was all alone to head the ball in. The match ended 1-1.
The next day, I ran into the Norwegian captain at the airport. I wanted to ask him 'you were born in Houston, Texas! why didn't you play for the US?'
In the evening, I was at the team hotel to welcome their arrival from Zurich. The players seemed relax but not over confident. They know Iceland will be a tough opponent.
Every month, FIFA publishes the World Ranking for the Men's National Teams. When the ranking came out early this month, Switzerland was right behind Brazil, only 18 points separate the 2 teams.
With 2 qualification games scheduled this month, the Swiss team has a good chance to pass Brazil in the ranking. This possibility was reported in the Swiss media and was discussed among the Swiss fans.
The first qualification game was against Norway last Friday in Bern. It was an exciting game but Norway was more dangerous. With 10 minutes left, the Swiss scored off a corner and I really thought we had 3 points. But a few minutes later, Norway got a corner and the Swiss defense fell asleep. The tall Norwegian captain Brede Hangeland was all alone to head the ball in. The match ended 1-1.
The next day, I ran into the Norwegian captain at the airport. I wanted to ask him 'you were born in Houston, Texas! why didn't you play for the US?'
but he was busy with the Norwegian media and I had to board my plane.
Despite the draw, my Swiss team still has a chance to pass Brazil in the ranking. If we can beat Iceland in Reykjavik, we will have 966 points for the ranking.
Brazil plays Japan in a friendly and if Japan wins, Brazil will only have 956 points. Japan just beat France last Friday in another friendly so come on Japan!
On Sunday, I visited Laugardalsvöllur, the stadium where in a few hours, Suisse will face Iceland. It has less than 10,000 seats and I hope there will be a big contingent of Swiss fans.
On Monday I took the Golden Circle Tour of Iceland. There were 10 other Swiss fans on my tour and at every stop, I ran into more. My tour guide, Anna, was surprised to see so many Swiss tourists so I told her about the match.
On the bus, Anna told us about the summer of 98 when she was living in Paris and France had just won the World Cup. A few months later, France came to Reykjavik for a EURO qualification match. France was too arrogant and was shocked when Iceland played them to a 1-1 draw.
and then Anna said 'I am sure the Swiss team is not arrogant!'
I hope Anna is right.
HOPP SUISSE!!!
Bæ Bæ (Bye in Icelandic)
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