SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016

PARIS: Photo shows a general view of the Bordeaux’ fan zone after its opening. Up to 90,000 police and private security guards will protect play- ers and supporters, just seven months after coordinated Islamic State attacks in Paris killed 130 people. — AFP Divided loyalties as Switzerland face Albania Xhaka brothers on opposing teams

LENS: Switzerland may get a taste of their Mladen Petric, who opted for Croatia, own medicine today when they meet an while seven players in Albania’s squad in Albania side featuring several players who France-Arlind Ajeti, Frederic Veseli, Naser Germany hoping Hummels benefited from the highly-acclaimed Swiss Aliji, Migjen Basha, Armir Abrashi, Shkelzen youth set-up. Loyalties will be divided in a Gashi and Taulant Xhaka-have played for fascinating Group A clash which, for the Switzerland’s youth teams. Former could face Euro campaign first time in the European Championship, Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld called will have brothers on opposing sides in for a change in the rules to prevent EVIAN: Germany are hoping centre-back which won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Granit and Taulant Xhaka. Both are of changes of allegiance, pointing out that Mats Hummels could be fit to face Ukraine Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is Albanian heritage and were born in Basel the SFV had invested some 30,000 Swiss when the world champions open their Euro set to only start on the bench against but Granit will line up for Switzerland and francs ($31,120.33) in coaching each play- 2016 campaign tomorrow. Hummels has Ukraine, having played just 23 minutes of older brother Taulant, provided he recovers er. For the players themselves, it is often a been out since tearing his calf in the German football since the end of March after tearing from a thigh injury, for their opponents. difficult choice. When Switzerland played Cup final on May 21, playing for former club a knee ligament. The Manchester United star In all, nine members of Albania’s 23-man Albania in a World Cup qualifier at Euro Borussia Dortmund against new employers came off the bench at the end of Germany’s squad had the right to play for Switzerland, 2012, Granit Xhaka faced hostility and criti- Bayern Munich, but his recovery at the warm-up friendly win over Hungary last and six members of the Swiss squad could cism from both sides. Germans’ base in Evian has gone well. Saturday, but Schneider says their 31-year- have opted for Albania. Switzerland accept- Albania fans jeered him while a Swiss Germany’s assistant coach Thomas old midfield general is fit. “In any case, Basti ed tens of thousands of Kosovar Albanians television commentator implied that he Schneider says a decision on whether is fit,” said the Germany coach. “As a bloke, who fled the Balkan wars in the 1990s fol- had deliberately missed an easy chance Hummels is fit to fly to Lille with ‘die he is extremely important for us and is on a lowing the breakup of the former when his side were already 2-0 ahead. Mannschaft’ for Sunday’s match has yet to very good path.” Yugoslavia. The Swiss football federation “Presumably Xhaka was not unhappy at be made. But Hummels’ inclusion, even off Should Schweinsteiger miss out, goal- (SFV) actively tapped into the potential not having scored against Albania,” said the bench, would ease Germany’s woes in keeper Manuel Neuer and midfielder Sami offered by the second-generation immi- Sacha Ruefer, who was heavily criticised for defense after Antonio Ruediger was ruled Khedira are the main candidates to captain grants, recruiting them to its widely- the remark and later said he regretted it. out of the European championship finals on the world champions. Ruediger’s withdrawal acclaimed youth development programs. None of this bothers the Xhakas’ parents Tuesday with a knee injury. “Things look means Loew has had to reshuffle his defense The policy paid dividends as the Swiss who in the space of three days last year good for Mats, he trained for an hour on his and Schneider revealed the Germans were uncovered talents such as Xherdan Shaqiri, watched Switzerland qualify for the own yesterday and he can take part in full considering playing with a back four or a Ricardo Rodriguez and Breel Embolo, all European Championship with a victory team training now,” said Schneider in three-man defense. “We have made a deci- from immigrant backgrounds. The flip side over San Marino and then Albania win Friday’s press conference. “He will talk to sion, but I won’t say which formation it will was that they unwittingly coached players away to Armenia to book their place. “We (head coach) Joachim Loew and then a deci- be and the starting team has already been for other countries’ national teams. would have been very unhappy if both sion will be made whether he comes to the decided,” he added. Germany also face teams hadn’t made it,” said their father game or he stays back and works here.” Poland next Thursday at the Stade de France, Past cases Ragip Xhaka. “One son for Switzerland and Hummels, 27, has won 46 caps for then Northern Ireland in Paris on June 21 in Past cases included Frank Feltscher, one for Albania-it’s the perfect reflection of Germany and was a key member of the side Group C. — AFP who chose to play for Venezuela, and our family.” — Reuters