Game 2 - Albania Vs Switzerland

I know next to nothing about Albania so will be interesting to learn more about them and their players.

Albania-Switzerland now? Was convinced it was Wales-Slovakia judging by the buildup on BBC. Have they even mentioned Albania or Switzerland?

Ah now the England lineup. Excellent

vs

Albania: Berisha; Hysaj, Mavraj, Cana, Agolli; Xhaka, Kukeli, Abrashi; Roshi, Lenjani; Sadiku

Switzerland: Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schär, Djourou, Rodriguez; Behrami, Dzemaili, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Seferovic, Mehmedi

Yeah, it's not the most exciting looking game, but let's have a thread for each game, eh? Can't fail at the second match.

In a rare event, two brothers will play in this international game on opposite sides. Arsenal's summer signing Granit Xhaka will represent the Swiss whilst his older brother Taulant will turn out for Albania.

Was making my own thread but refreshed before posting and saw you had done one also. However I'll post my OP in here as I've actually made an effort

I'm sure they'll mention them just before the game starts.

I just made it because no-one else did

Ah now the England lineup. Excellent

Always a pain when watching BBC/ITV, 5 minutes about the match that's coming up & 25+ minutes on England's next/last match.

Is it the same in other nations?

Look out for the Albanian girls on display

surprised they haven't at least mentioned Switzerland with Xhaka going to Arsenal, Shaqiri playing for Stoke etc

I will admit I don't really know a lot about Albania, other than they did a decent job in qualifying

Come on, it's the bbc, not a specialist football broadcaster. They need to cater for the masses, and the masses don't want 40 minutes of build up on teams they have little interest about. Doing the home nations stuff and video bits keeps the average watcher watching. 5-10 minutes focuses build up is more than enough on the bbc.

Xhaka vs Xhaka :-)

why don't they just start the programme at 1.45pm if only 5-10 minutes build up is needed?

they already have an hour buildup before the Wales game to mention that. All it takes is 5 minute research on Wikipedia to learn some stats about the teams and their qualifying situation

Having managed Basel on FM15 I'm quite looking forward to this one.

Taulent Xhaka was a monster DM for us while Gashi, Schar & Mehmedi were all in my team for several seasons.

Always a pain when watching BBC/ITV, 5 minutes about the match that's coming up & 25+ minutes on England's next/last match.

Is it the same in other nations?

Not that bad but of course there is a lot of Sweden talk even though we don't play until monday.

Of course during the match they then have a Zlatan cam streamed for those that like to go ultra fanboy.

Expecting very little from this in terms of entertainment.

Ready to be proved wrong

Switzerland 0-1

That was fast.

Very impressive start by the Swiss here. Not sure what on earth the keeper is doing there at all. Nowhere near it.

Poor keeping. Worse, though similar, to the Giroud goal on the keepers part.

Switzerland look alright here, maybe because Albania are dire, but still they have started quick

Lively start, this could be a decent match

Albania are my sweepstake side

Switzerland look alright here, maybe because Albania are dire, but still they have started quick

A bit early to make a call on Albania being dire. Not to say you will not be proven correct but are you always quick to judge?

Lively start, this could be a decent match

Lively start is just what I was about to say. Hope it continues.

Albanian players such massive fannies

Surely that should be:

Football players such massive fannies

Albania are certainly coming in to this match, wouldn't be the biggest shock if they get something.

Crying out for an overhead into the top corner from that cross.

Great ball in, Sadiku with a great chance. Not going to get many as good as that opportunity.

They won't get a better chance than that.

Albania striker will nightmares about that miss for the rest of his life. Poor sod

they missed a great chance but they certainly are starting to come in to this match and giving it a good go

And that's their chances gone. Awful defending and blatant handball. Cana off.

Blatant sending off. How he can argue against that.

Oh dear. Red card :/

Randomly, I remember signing Cana for Sevilla on FM10. Beast.

What a stupid thing to do when already on a yellow

I am shocked that Carballo is the first ref to give a red this tournament (yes I know it's the second game, point still stands).

Awww, that is no good decision by Cana.

Does he miss just 1 game or both remaining games now?

Well that's this game over.

Haha Phil Jones would have been proud of that

What an idiot

Albanians wearing the wrong studs. Slipping all over the place!

well damn just as this match was getting good and competitive cana makes very poor decison

Does he miss just 1 game or both remaining games now?

Just the 1.

Does he miss just 1 game or both remaining games now?

I think only 1.

Albania very naive. Far too open with 10 men. Don't look like adjusted their shape whatsoever. It's like playing pes, and you have a player sent off and don't bother plugging the gap.

Edit- looks like they have now. Took their time, very lucky not to concede in those 10 minutes or so.

Really enjoyable first half, that. Would expect the same to come in the 2nd half but think the red card will put paid to that.

The audio options thing on BBC 1 is awesome. So glad there's an option for no commentary at all. Always wanted that. Problem is it makes the match into non HD, so therefore I won't really use it

Not that bad but of course there is a lot of Sweden talk even though we don't play until monday.

Of course during the match they then have a Zlatan cam streamed for those that like to go ultra fanboy.

A zlatan cam would be brilliant!