World Cup base for the Swiss women – Nati in Dunedin: ignite euphoria like Elton John once did – Sport

Rich history, cool climate, rock ‘n’ roll – but moderate football euphoria: how does the Swiss national team host the World Cup?

Slowly but steadily, the number of flags, signs and posters in Dunedin (pronounced «Danid’n») pointing to the World Cup is growing. If you drive through the city, you have to expect to get behind Fifa vehicles. From the Swiss team bus and shuttle buses for “Very Very Important People” to somewhat less feudal volunteer transport.

But the excitement in slightly sleepy and at the same time very rugby-crazy Dunedin is still a long way from the ubiquitous World Cup slogan “Beyond Greatness”. In general, it is much more difficult for New Zealand to ignite the same euphoria for the World Cup compared to co-hosts Australia. Accordingly, 5,000 tickets each were made available free of charge for four games in the land of the Kiwis. That quartet with a lack of appeal also includes Switzerland’s opening game against the Philippines.

From «the end of the world» (almost) to the end of the world

The Swiss World Cup campaign started in Magglingen, at the «end of the world». Geographically speaking, you are now relatively close to the end of the world. With the exception of a few small islands, only Antarctica comes to the south. One also develops Antarctic feelings in view of the extreme temperature difference. From the Zeeland summer to the New Zealand winter, from over 30 to sometimes less than 10 degrees Celsius.

Not relevant to the exam, but interesting: Dunedin is the oldest city in the country and is inhabited by around 130,000 people. In terms of area, only Auckland is larger in New Zealand. Fur seals, albatrosses and the rare yellow-eyed penguins live here.

The city has been Scottish since 1848 Scottish settlers arrived. The Gaelic name “Dùn Èideann” means “fortress on the hillside”, just like the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Fun fact: The “Edinburgh of the South” can boast of having the steepest street in the world. The 3.5-kilometer Baldwin Street has a maximum gradient of 35%.

From Saudi money to First Nations

In many places one can also read “Otepoti”, Maori for Dunedin. Fifa attaches great importance to including place names of the “First Nations” on an equal footing. The same Fifa that only refrained from being a World Cup sponsor after loud protests from the Saudi Arabian tourism authority. A country where women in stadiums are about as common as snowfall in a Saudi summer.

But back to the southeast of New Zealand’s South Island. Switzerland will play two of their three games at Dunedin Stadium (in between they will go to Hamilton for a duel with Norway).

Queen once rocked here – and soon the Nati?

“The Glasshouse”, as the first completely closed stadium in the world with natural grass is called, offers space for 30,000 visitors. It mainly serves as a rugby stadium, and concerts are often held there.

Queen, Elton John, who sent around 35,000 fans into ecstasy in 2020, and Ed Sheeran have rocked here. From Friday, the Swiss national team hopes to provide the music at Dunedin Stadium.