Swiss all but through to last 16 where they will need to smarten up
Petkovic's men have surely done enough to reach last 16
GROUP A
ROMANIA 1
(Bodgan Stancu 18-pen)
SWITZERLAND 1
(Admir Mehmedi 57)
Switzerland were supposed to come of age at Euro 2016 and they still might, yet.
From hissy fits to severe breakdowns in communication, a nation synonymous with neutrality has threatened to remain heavily at odds with itself on the pitch.
But inadequacy and internal turmoil has finally given away to promise and defiance.
Reaching the knockout stage of the championship was previously an alien concept for the perennial never-do-wells of international football.
They have never known anything other than the humiliation of elimination at the first time of asking.
Until now.
In a group that offered little other than a formality-like path into the latter stages for France 2016, Vladimir Petkovic's players have risen above the noise and fanfare surrounding the hosts to place themselves among the first sides to book a place in the Round of 16.
A 1-1 draw with Romania should be enough to see them through to the knockout stages, even if the old habits threatened to die hard at the Parc des Princes.
Repeating their previous group-stage exits from the competition back in Euro 1996, 2004 and 2008 - the latter a humiliating affair as tournament co-hosts - has been put to bed.
What would have otherwise been a do-or-die finale with France has been downgraded to a relative dead rubber. Their lack of maturity, however, continues to rear an ugly head.
Threats from Xherdan Shaqiri to defer his international allegiances to Kosovo, following their belated recognition by Fifa, had provided an imperfect backdrop for the Paris encounter.
The Stoke City winger's tantrum-throwing exercise was borne out of being overlooked for the captaincy for the clash with Romania, and was symptomatic of the fragility which has hung over his country's preparations in France.
On this most recent evidence, others risk being forced to queue up alongside him in exile.
Chief among them was Haris Seferovic, with another wasteful performance in front of goal.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, too, was subject to both scrutiny and condemnation after becoming the second Juventus fullback to present Romania a potentially costly penalty in as many games with an act of needless shirt-pulling.
STANCU AGAIN
Affording Bogdan Stancu another opportunity to leave his mark from 12 yards was always going to end with one, predicable conclusion.
Petkovic's aim of confirming entry into the knockout stages after their first two games at Euro 2016 may have fallen short of expectations but the signs remain promising that, once there, they will not simply fade away among their more illustrious peers.
When all else had failed with Seferovic, still out of sorts after an underwhelming season in the Bundesliga, the Bosnian coach turned to Breel Embolo to provide a genuine attacking outlet for his side's direct attacking play.
Within minutes of his introduction, Switzerland appeared almost immediately rejuvenated.
Vlad Chirches and Dragos Grigore, at the heart of the Romanian defence, simply could not handle him.
It is clear to see why Manchester United have been credited with interest in the 19-year-old.
They may find themselves in good company among the European super clubs if Embolo can maintain his ability to lead the line in a fashion that belies his tender age.
It should also convince Petkovic that the solution to his country's fortunes in the latter stages lies with him rather than a misfiring Seferovic.
- ROMANIA: Ciprian tatarusanu, Cristian Sapunaru, Vlad Chiriches, Dragos Grigore, Razvan Rat (Steliano Filip 62), Andrei Prepelita, Mihai Pintilii (ovidiu Hoban 46), Gabriel torje, Bogdan Stancu (Florin Andone 84), Alexandru Chipciu, Claudiu Keseru
- SWITZERLAND: Yann Sommer, Stephan lichtsteiner, Fabian Schar, johan Djourou, Ricardo Rodriguez, Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri (Shani tarashaj 90+1), Blerim Dzemaili (Michael lang 83), Admir Mehmedi, Haris Seferovic (Breel embolo 63)
By the numbers
2: The first two penalties at Euro 2016 were conceded by Juventus players (Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner), both converted by Romania's Bogdan Stancu.
Loew sorry for smelly fingers' routine
Germany coach Joachim Loew apologised yesterday for grabbing into the front and back of his trousers during their opening Euro 2016 win over Ukraine on Sunday, in full view of the cameras.
"I saw the pictures as well and obviously sometimes you do things subconsciously. It happened and I am sorry," said the World Cup-winning coach.
"It was adrenaline and concentration. I will try to behave differently in the future."
Loew was watching the game, which Germany won 2-0, intently from the bench when he shoved his hand into the front of his trousers and then smelled it.
He also did the same at the back, with his actions triggering a variety of reactions and the clip going viral on social media.
This is not the first time Loew, famous for his dress sense and style, has been caught on camera in a compromising position, with the German having repeatedly been filmed sticking his finger up his nose and then putting it in his mouth.
World champions Germany play neighbours Poland in what is expected to be a fiery Group C clash tomorrow morning (Singapore time).
Getting back to football, the coach revealed yesterday he will not risk playing centre back Mats Hummels unless he is "100 per cent fit".
NOT RISKING
Hummels, who missed their opening win, has not played since picking up a thigh injury in last month's German Cup final.
The 27-year-old had not trained with the team until this week, while Shkodran Mustafi replaced him at centre back against Ukraine.
"I will not take any risk if there are any problems or he does not feel 100 per cent fit," Loew said.
"We will look at the final training (session) this evening.
"But we will talk with the doctors after practice and see."
Germany's defence will need him, having looked shaky at times against the speedy Ukrainians.
Loew also ruled out playing captain Bastian Schweinsteiger for the full 90 minutes, after the midfielder came on as a substitute to score their second goal against Ukraine following a long-term injury absence.
Meanwhile, Poland will be without goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who suffered a thigh injury in their 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.
Poland coach Adam Nawalka will pick either Swansea's Lukasz Fabianski or Bournemouth's Artur Boruc as the replacement today.
- Reuters.
It was adrenaline and concentration. I will try to behave differently in the future.
— Germany coach Joachim Loew who was caught on camera in compromising positions
Euro 2016, here he comes
Desmond Ng was in a work meeting when he received the call from Carlsberg.
He recalled walking back into the meeting room in a daze.
Well, you would be, too, if you had just been told you had won a $22,000 trip to UEFA EURO 2016 in France.
The 27-year-old trainee lawyer said: "I went back to the meeting unable to think of anything else.
"I didn't expect to win. I mean, what are the chances?"
Ng had taken part in a contest organised by The New Paper and Carlsberg, the official beer of UEFA EURO 2016.
In it, he picked from four different line-ups what he thought was the best 11, which happened to be the correct answer.
His mouth-watering prize includes two tickets to the UEFA EURO 2016 first semi-final on July 6 in Lyon, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to wine and dine with football legends at the Carlsberg awards dinner.
Incredibly, he also gets to pick a buddy to join him on the trip. What's more, he and his buddy will be playing football at Stade de Lyon, where they get to experience a day in the life of a football star.
Said Ng, a Liverpool fan: "Now, I am just so excited. How often do you get a chance to do this? Carlsberg has always been associated with football and it's a brand I love, so it's just great that I will be enjoying this experience with Carlsberg and not any other brand." - GARY LIM
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