Round of 16: Sweden v Switzerland, 3rd July, 3pm(GMT)

[JJ1532]

Well, this represents a fantastic opportunity for one of these teams to make the last 8.

Sweden as I said in their opening group game, don't have a great knockout record, but are no strangers to getting out of the groups. They've made the last 16 of their last 3 world cups, but have come up short every time. They come into this game in decent form. They could and should have gotten a result against Germany, but admirably picked themselves up and breezed past Mexico in impressive style. They'll be full of confidence for sure.

As for Switerland, they also have a poor knockout record, having not won a knockout game at a major tournament since 1954, so this is probably going to be their best chance at doing that. They got an admirable point against Brazil, beat Serbia, but could only draw with Costa Rica. They've got some talented players, but enough to beat Sweden?

Should be a tight cagey game, think Sweden narrowly take this after extra time.

 

[SALTIRE]

I can't like Switzerland, such a dull country. Sweden to win late on, 2 - 1.

 

[mente captus]

C'mon sweden.

 

[Bilo]

They've made the last 16 of their last 3 world cups, but have come up short every time.

This is incorrect, actually. We went out in the round of 16 in 2002 and 2006, but our previous appearance was in 1994. We finished third, eventually.

And going into this game, hungover as I am, I thought I'd write a bit about that 1994 summer. It's to us what 1966 is to you; and it's to me what it probably is to most of the English lads on here: I don't remember it. But I've heard so much about it. The weather was amazing, the team astonishing, the results unbelievable. And my old man swears to god that we both could and should have beaten Brazil in the semi had we only put Anders Limpar on. I usually laugh at the sentiment, but my old man isn't especially sentimental nor is he optimistic. He's probably right.

But me, I hate that summer of 1994. I really, genuinely do. Before this particular tournament we're about to wrap up, the Swedish public service published their summaries of every world cup since 1982. I was over the moon, put 1998 on (the first I can remember) and watched them one by one up until 2014. Brilliant memories, for me, throughout. Even the ones we didn't partake in. But everyone at work just went straight for the 1994. And no one cared about the later summaries, that was it for them. That's what they talked about and that's what the World cup is for them. And most Swedes. Just not for my generation. And it always fucking sucked, because the chances of us ever reaching the semis and then clinching third place in my lifetime are slim. To say the least.

Last year I lived in Amsterdam. Usually, when I have to quickly settle somewhere, football is useful. I watched Ajax, met likeminded people and as usual football was key for me to be able to lead some sort of social life in a place where I knew no one, just having to work there for a six month stint. And inevitably, we talked about the World cup. And I realized the dutch are rather bitter about it. Understandably, perhaps, they say "always good but never good enough". No shit, well, I'd give a sense and a limb to see Sweden be not good enough in a World cup final. I didn't understand them, they didn't understand me in that regard.

Now I don't think we'll make the World cup final. Or the semis. Very possibly not even the quarters. But in this very moment, going into this game, I wouldn't give a sense or a limb to see it. Because that which was always such a slim chance, a sort of curse that our most amazing tournament in living memory happened right before I was old enough to remember, is now, possibly, maybe, within the realms of imagination, about to be repeated. 2018 might be my generation's 1994.

And what I wouldn't give for it. I'll talk about it for the rest of my life. Winning at home to France in the qualifiers. Drawing Italy and fucking knocking them out at the San Siro. Winning a group consisting of giants Germany and the always qualifying Mexico. The heartbreak of Toni Kroos' free kick. The absolute disbelief of what happened in the 3-0 win over Mexico.

Now I don't think this is my generation's 1994, yet. If we go out to Switzerland it'll be something I've seen before and while I still love and appreciate seeing Sweden in World cups, I'll do so again. It won't be that special.

But supporting Sweden in this sport is never special. It's usually rather shit. Just the hope of living through one single exception is so thrilling there's no word to describe it. And for every five year old Swedish kid who won't remember it; I'll tell them all about it for the rest of my life.

This can't and very much should not end against Switzerland.

 

[Dirk]

But supporting Sweden in this sport is never special. It's usually rather shit. Just the hope of living through one single exception is so thrilling there's no word to describe it. And for every five year old Swedish kid who won't remember it; I'll tell them all about it for the rest of my life.

Hey, Bilo. I really can understand this.
It's maybe a bit comparable with Germany in Ice hockey. Normally we're like "Sweden in football" in Ice hockey, Often in the tournaments but never something special unlike Sweden. So this year's win against Sweden and nearly even against Russia in the final was a once in a lifetime experience for German Ice hockey fans. For you it was a big disappointment because Ice hockey is your #1 sport (or is it football?) and you're accustomed to get into finals in your favourite sport

Now we have the exact opposite in football. It's our #1 sport and we are accustomed to get to the later stages and failed miserably.

So I really can understand that you're happy now (although for me it was clear before the tournament that Sweden would qualify (as 2nd, behind Germany ) from this group ( checkable in my predictions in Qakey's World Cup predicta here in this forum).

But I hope you don't mind that I want Switzerland to progress here. We Germans have a special relationship to the Swiss and most of their players are playing (or have played) in the Bundesliga. OK, you have Albin Ekdal from HSV and Emil Forsberg from Leipzig in it but, anyway, Hopp Schwiiz!

(but I wouldn't be too disappointed if you win )

 

[Bilo]

Hey, Bilo. I really can understand this.
It's maybe a bit comparable with Germany in Ice hockey. Normally we're like "Sweden in football" in Ice hockey, Often in the tournaments but never something special unlike Sweden. So this year's win against Sweden and nearly even against Russia in the final was a once in a lifetime experience for German Ice hockey fans. For you it was a big disappointment because Ice hockey is your #1 sport (or is it football?) and you're accustomed to get into finals in your favourite sport

Now we have the exact opposite in football. It's our #1 sport and we are accustomed to get to the later stages and failed miserably.

So I really can understand that you're happy now (although for me it was clear before the tournament that Sweden would qualify (as 2nd, behind Germany ) from this group ( checkable in my predictions in Qakey's World Cup predicta here in this forum).

But I hope you don't mind that I want Switzerland to progress here. We Germans have a special relationship to the Swiss and most of their players are playing (or have played) in the Bundesliga. OK, you have Albin Ekdal from HSV and Emil Forsberg from Leipzig in it but, anyway, Hopp Schwiiz!

(but I wouldn't be too disappointed if you win )

Oh yes that was horrible to live through. But it’s always nicer to go out against a relative minnow such as Germany than for example Canada. Speaking of which, we beat Switzerland in the World Championships final in Copenhagen in may! We’ve got their number.

 

[Bilo]

This is HORRIBLE.

 

[Abertawe]

SVENSKA TILL I DIE

 

[Bilo]

SVENSKA TILL I DIE

ty mate always appreciate the love and support from a fine gentleman such as yourself. Expecting both G.B and Stevencc my two good friends of similar ilk to show up soon and offer their loyalty and support before kickoff.

 

[G.B]

LET'S FUCKING GO BLUE-YELLOW.

Good luck Beelo mate, FIFA love the Swiss. The dodgy cunts.

 

[Bilo]

LET'S FUCKING GO BLUE-YELLOW.

Good luck Beelo mate, FIFA love the Swiss. The dodgy cunts.

I know mate I got my excuses well and ready for the inevitable conspiracy SHOULD the inferior swiss team fluke a win.

 

[rudebwoyben]

LET'S FUCKING GO BLUE-YELLOW.

Good luck Beelo mate, FIFA love the Swiss. The dodgy cunts.

Yeah, make Infantino mini-Blatter unhappy!

 

[Leo]

I can't like Switzerland, such a dull country. Sweden to win late on, 2 - 1.

......ffs Salty.....that's a tad 'St Juste ish' mate.

 

[Bilo]

That’s the quality of our strikers.

 

[Abertawe]

Reminds me of our league two days

 

[snortingfrogs]

Horrible miss by Berg, but we've been the far better team so far.

 

[rudebwoyben]

That was funny from Lustig (geddit?)

 

[Benji]

Does Behrami do anything other than run around fouling?

 

[TomPNE94]

That was funny from Lustig (geddit?)

excellent work

 

[TractorBoys]

Well, this is shit.

 

[Leo]

What a chance for the Swiss but hit over the bar.

 

[Leo]

and now for Sweden....way over.

 

[Bilo]

We’ve created all the chances so far. Not shitting bricks even

 

[Abertawe]

Bilo the bbc are making racist ikea gags. I'm sending an email to ofcom & points of view on your behalf.

 

[Bilo]

Bilo the bbc are making racist ikea gags. I'm sending an email to ofcom & points of view on your behalf.

Thank you much appreciated.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

One of these if we get past Colombia, yes please.

 

[Abertawe]

One of these if we get past Colombia, yes please.

Neither side concedes many goals and England often need a hatful of chances just to score one if they don't land at Kane.

Don't be cocky.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Neither side concedes many goals and England often need a hatful of chances just to score one if they don't land at Kane.

Don't be cocky.

Historically we've had a terrible record against Sweden too!

 

[snortingfrogs]

How Behrami is still on the pitch is beyond belief, dirty cnut..

 

[Leo]

wee deflection and Sweden go one in front