Stories

A small number of articles from each issue of When Saturday Comes are reproduced here. To get the full WSC experience, including free access to our digital archive, take out a subscription.

Striking conundrum and misfiring Shaqiri concern Swiss

Vladimir Petkovic’s team wary of repeating 2014 World Cup hammering by France

Embed from Getty Images

19 June ~ “The glass is half full” declared “Nati” coach, Vladimir Petkovic, after the 1-1 draw with Romania in Paris. Petkovic’s comment captured the almost unanimous verdict across Switzerland on the team’s performance so far. The positives are that the Swiss have controlled large parts of their games against Albania and Romania and are on course to qualify for the second round of a European Championship for the first time ever.

Sunday, June 19th, 2016 - Stories

Under-pressure Wilmots needs more flexible tactics

Belgium’s defeat to Italy in their opening game highlighted coach’s lack of strategy

Embed from Getty Images

18 June ~ It’s open season on Marc Wilmots in Belgium. The Red Devils’ inept display against Italy highlighted the national coach’s tactical frailties – nothing new there – but, to make matters worse, Wilmots doesn’t seem to see anything wrong with his strategy, or lack thereof. “I don’t think Italy won a tactical battle,” he told national broadcaster RTBF.

Saturday, June 18th, 2016 - Stories

Rosicky key as Czech Republic look to attack Croatia

Defensive performance against Spain went against coach Pavel Vrba’s usual style

Embed from Getty Images

17 June ~ Disappointment at conceding a late goal against Spain has given way to a more positive mood in the Czech Republic, with everything still to play for against Croatia today. Having taken an atypically defensive approach against Spain, coach Pavel Vrba has promised to return to his trademark attacking style for the remaining group games. Sparta Prague midfielder Borek Dockal, the Czechs’ leading scorer in qualification, is expected to return to the starting line-up.

Friday, June 17th, 2016 - Stories

Mixed response to trouble as Russians point finger

Some blame English fans and French police but others call for hooligan clampdown

Embed from Getty Images

16 June ~ Whatever conclusions can be drawn from the chaos so far at Euro 2016, one thing is for sure – fans in Russia have been picking over the events in great detail. At some point in the last week everyone has pointed the finger at everyone else. Fratria, the Spartak Moscow ultras group, were one of many claiming the English fans started the trouble by provoking the Russians – Fratria claim they only fought with those English fans that wanted to.

Thursday, June 16th, 2016 - Stories

Reports of violence don’t tell full story in Lille

Vast majority of fans from all countries mingling amicably around city

Embed from Getty Images

15 June ~ At half-time in last night’s Portugal v Iceland match I wandered down from my flat to the crescent of bars surrounding Gare Lille Flandres. When I got there it was obvious a number of Lille locals had chosen to participate in another spectator sport rather than tuning in to Cristiano Ronaldo and co.

Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 - Stories