No. 1 Draft Picks In NHL History: Celebrini, Ovechkin, More
By Philip O'Connor
BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Yann Sommer is looking forward to re-acquainting himself with some of his Inter Milan team mates when his Switzerland side take on Italy in the last 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday as contact has ceased since the draw put them on a collision course.
"I have spoken to the lads on a number of occasions over the course of the Euros, but not in the lead-up to the game. We've stopped contacting one another because both sides are focusing on the task at hand," a smiling Sommer told reporters at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Friday.
A 3-1 win over Hungary and successive 1-1 draws with Scotland and Germany set the Swiss up for their last 16 meeting with the Italians, and though they have not beaten Italy since May 1993, some see the Swiss as favourites in the tie.
"We're all focused on making it through to the quarter-finals ... every starting position is different in every major tournament. The opposition changes," Sommer said.
"We're very pleased to play against Italy in the round of 16 tomorrow night, it's a hugely important game for both sides. It's a wonderful stadium and the atmosphere should be great," he added.
Given that Italy have been involved in seven penalty shoot-outs at the Euros, Sommer might find himself the centre of attention if it comes down to spot kicks, and coach Murat Yakin said his side was ready.
"Everyone has taken a penalty in training, we've jotted down some notes but of course, it's not the same thing, taking a penalty on the training ground as opposed to taking one in a match situation with all of the pressure that pertains to that," Yakin told reporters.
"To be honest, I don't want to go to penalties. I hope we can win the game prior to that, because penalties are a lottery, and we know it's not particularly nice thing to go through. But yes, we have practised that as well. And we hope that if we go to penalties, we can win them as well," he added.
The Swiss coach said there would be some changes to the starting line-up, but that everyone is fit and ready to play.
"There's an excellent mood in the camp. And we have fought really hard to make it this far, and we can't wait to get out there and play against Italy," Yakin said.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
JSC Maps 2 A03a97ec9a161421414d0ab299b766ac Ew Fort Lewis Map 600x431 5d007930ecd95be2790408320b22a327 Original 13219063 Nas Ni Color Map 6jul66 664 D3PW26 Nellis AFB Map 0b5bc47a 4f93 430a 96e0 A371ea23722e 750x422 MCAS New River ?ver=wzPyGBHw4efyh8B7HEk9Kg 180823 F TH920 0001.JPGD666WQK76RGNUR4ZL2QWCJZJBM 79 Figure2 1 Strat Plan Stage 3 Squiz Web Banner D66a7124b45440462743dd0bb0e14079?auto=compress%2CformatBaguio City Session Road Sunday Walking Tour With Play 1920x1080 Map Bldg 1 3 1 MCCS CP Map Rev 7 9 2020 Fc2024 Convention Map Hua30239a2730652a01533ca1c2707f28b 281477 06b25699a7d62a4dc85e36dbbfb6f8dd.webpFmDG5x0WYAooEz8?format=jpg&name=4096x4096Camp Humphreys Map1 Streets Of Tarkov New Map Scaled 008bdac35a2ca5934ee92e43fca68335 1705354519?v=16b35650b0c58a0c9af5039489b17fa9c 7daa77360d2cf428b554e8f20d835434 52937729716 F2373f5ff7 B Redevelopment Prediction Map Of 2024 2023 Map 10a86647efee0841754c682b8ffee7c4 Streets Of Tarkov Map Jindouz 10123 827ac1744caca85e875a6d9062d3707a CleanShot 2023 01 13 At 13.04.15 C87c077c2f4624ee3ab9d350d5e68273 2021 02 Campus Map English 1200x630
No. 1 Draft Picks In NHL History: Celebrini, Ovechkin, More
By Philip O'Connor
BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Yann Sommer is looking forward to re-acquainting himself with some of his Inter Milan team mates when his Switzerland side take on Italy in the last 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday as contact has ceased since the draw put them on a collision course.
"I have spoken to the lads on a number of occasions over the course of the Euros, but not in the lead-up to the game. We've stopped contacting one another because both sides are focusing on the task at hand," a smiling Sommer told reporters at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Friday.
A 3-1 win over Hungary and successive 1-1 draws with Scotland and Germany set the Swiss up for their last 16 meeting with the Italians, and though they have not beaten Italy since May 1993, some see the Swiss as favourites in the tie.
"We're all focused on making it through to the quarter-finals ... every starting position is different in every major tournament. The opposition changes," Sommer said.
"We're very pleased to play against Italy in the round of 16 tomorrow night, it's a hugely important game for both sides. It's a wonderful stadium and the atmosphere should be great," he added.
Given that Italy have been involved in seven penalty shoot-outs at the Euros, Sommer might find himself the centre of attention if it comes down to spot kicks, and coach Murat Yakin said his side was ready.
"Everyone has taken a penalty in training, we've jotted down some notes but of course, it's not the same thing, taking a penalty on the training ground as opposed to taking one in a match situation with all of the pressure that pertains to that," Yakin told reporters.
"To be honest, I don't want to go to penalties. I hope we can win the game prior to that, because penalties are a lottery, and we know it's not particularly nice thing to go through. But yes, we have practised that as well. And we hope that if we go to penalties, we can win them as well," he added.
The Swiss coach said there would be some changes to the starting line-up, but that everyone is fit and ready to play.
"There's an excellent mood in the camp. And we have fought really hard to make it this far, and we can't wait to get out there and play against Italy," Yakin said.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
