It’s a good start to the main round: Switzerland beats Tunisia with something that we don’t see every day.
Switzerland only trailed once this Tuesday afternoon, and that at the start of the match at 1:0. Switzerland, with the same starting lineup as two days ago against Poland, then made it 4:0 and broke away. Goalkeeper Nikola Portner also entered the match very well and crowned his solid start with a goal in the deserted Tunisian cage (7:4). Tunisians are forced to take their first time out, without really finding an effective remedy. National coach Andy Schmid’s team launched into a real offensive frenzy shortly before the break and broke away at 20:11.
At that point, Switzerland was already certain of victory. Only the Tunisian pivot Islem Jbeli is not completely mastered, he scores eleven goals and is the top scorer in this first match of the main round. But the Swiss defense is solid. The opponent doesn’t find much else to oppose, especially the wingers who are completely out of play.
In the second half, national coach Andy Schmid can spare his core players like Lenny Rubin or Felix Aellen. Luka Maros and Samuel Zehnder, who did not play a very strong preliminary round, get a lot of playing time and impose themselves with strong performances and many goals. Maros (7) came on in the first half, giving Lenny Rubin an important break. Samuel Zehnder starts with two missed shots, but then he puts six balls into the net, including two from the penalty line. On the other side, young Gino Steenaerts also scores six goals.
As the game progresses, Luca Sigrist or Michael Kusio may also play in the backcourt. Goalkeeper Nikola Portner finished in the 45th minute and after 10 saves his back-up Jannis Scheidiger also got some minutes, Portner was voted Best Player after the match. Only Joël Willecke was unlucky in this match: During a defensive action, the pivot touched his opponent in the face and saw the red card.
Switzerland continues its journey in these world championships with the highlight Thursday evening (8:30 p.m.), the match against the Danish hosts. Star coach Nikolaj Jacobsen’s team is the big favorite for the world title, Olympic champions and three-time world title holders. The Jykse Bank Boxen Arena in Herning is full for this match, a backstage of 15,000 spectators awaits the Nati.
-In the main group of round 1 of the 2025 world championships, Switzerland rises at least provisionally to third place. If she beats Italy on Saturday, she will maintain this third place and a superb final ranking at the world championships.
Reactions
Andy Schmid: I am very satisfied. After qualifying for the main round there was a slight drop in pressure and it was difficult to predict how we would fare. But we showed a lot of maturity. A lot of things work, even with players who come straight from the bench. Of course, we made one or two mistakes too many. But it’s a pleasure to win such a high match in a World Cup main round.
Samuel Zehnder: This match did me a lot of good. I entered it wrong, but then it worked, the automations arrive and it works again. Kung-fus are beautiful for the supporters, for us it’s not much more than a normal goal.
