Blaise Nkufo is a legend. In Twente, where they put their own statue of the champion striker in front of the stadium. And in the Swiss national team, where he started one of the greatest victories of all time in 2010. 1-0 against eventual world champions Spain.
Blaise, when you were on the pitch in 2010, you have wiDid you think you could beat Spain?
We had a game plan. We knew that we would suffer and that we had to convince collectively as well as individually. We showed a lot of self-sacrifice against this great Spanish team. We took advantage of one of the opponent’s few mistakes.
Was it the most emotional game of your life?
Naturally. The world championship is a special competition, the biggest. These memories are etched into my mind forever.
You mentioned self-sacrifice. Is that with today’s national team?uh?
Yes, even more. I really liked your performance against France. The players and the coach were heavily criticized, but they stood up for themselves. The truth is in the field. The players showed a lot of character. I see a team that feels comfortable, that has a way of expressing itself and a common language.
Did the win against Spain in 2010 make this Swiss team more relaxed?
You can compare the game in Durban to beating France. There are no longer any small nations. Vladimir Petkovic said before the game that, unlike the French, Switzerland should give more than 100 percent on the pitch. With the right attitude on the field, anything is possible. In 2010 we won mainly because of the circumstances. The ball bounced, we got a good rebound, and Gelson managed to get the ball into the net. But we were ready to fight, ready to play. We stayed focused and took advantage of the Spaniards’ mistakes.
Keystone
What has changed since 2010?
The Swiss team is much more playful today. Petkovic’s men know their role and what to do. I really like that. The national team enforces their style of play. It won’t be easy against Spain, but Switzerland are better equipped than they were in 2010. Seferovic scored two goals against France and Gavranovic came in, equalized and proved that this team has resources. We have to take advantage of that.
Will the game against Spain in 2021 be easier than the one in 2010?
No, I don’t think it will be an easier task for Switzerland. The names are less well known, with the exception of Sergio Busquets, the only survivor from Durban. But the Spaniards have a talented team, with a coach who wants to see his team play. They have a high level of ability, even if they sometimes have problems, especially in the last third. It’s a big challenge for the Swiss team. The lack of granite xhaka will be a problem.
Freuler on the France triumph: “The two slaps in the face were perhaps necessary”(04:42)
At the PK before the Spain game: Nati coach Petkovic jokes about blond Blick-Böni(01:21)
Blick-Böni says: “We sure have a chance”(01:18)
Delta hotspot before quarter-finals: In St. Petersburg, people celebrate as if there were no Corona(02:11)
Fassnacht in joy: “I had to shed a tear”(03:00)