Tuesday, June 29, 2021
One man, two faces
Switzerland fan lived through EM thriller
The Swiss play against France for 120 minutes, creating a sensation on penalties – a show of strength for the players. Two photos of a Nati fan prove the hardships the spectators take on. The first desperate and then completely unleashed young man becomes an Internet breaker.
Switzerland throws France out of the European Championship tournament – and quite a few people let their nerves on this memorable evening. Because before the grueling penalty shootout, which Kylian Mbappé lost for France after a save by keeper Yann Sommer, a real thriller took place in the national stadium in Bucharest. You can read this on the face of a Swiss fan whose suffering turned into a little internet hit that evening.
Two shots of the young man spread rapidly with only two minutes between them: One photo shows him in the 89th minute. For Switzerland, Haris Seferovic had scored the 2: 3 shortly before, the tournament that was already believed to be safe could perhaps be averted. But will it be enough against the French, who are overpowering on paper? The fan doesn’t seem to really believe in it anymore, the relentlessly ticking clock makes him despair.
Then the redemption: stoppage time is running when Switzerland equalized 3: 3 through Mario Gavranovic. Extension, Switzerland can still create the sensation. And our friend in the stands? He goes completely crazy. His fan jersey? He has long since torn himself from his body. The composure? It’s long gone. He screams his relief into the Bucharest night.
How the Nati fan, who seemed a bit nervous, was able to get through the penalty shoot-out in this state is not documented. He should have to recover for a few days after this game. What is certain, however, is that he can celebrate his five minutes of fame on Twitter:
For London’s Mayor, he’s the “Man of the Match”:
And some would even like to have it on their Panini album:
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