Present in the Swiss framework at Euro 2020 and decisive in particular against France in the round of 16, Kevin Mbabu looks back on Switzerland’s journey during this competition, evoking in particular his memories of the match against the Blues.
“It’s something really very strong, an immense source of pride“Kevin Mbabu makes no secret of it: competing in a major international competition for the Swiss team is special and sounds like the realization of a dream.”To be honest, it’s like going to the army, but a little more fun“, laughs the Genevan. Not selected for the 2022 World Cup and left out at the last moment this spring for the trip to Germany, he has so far only had the honor of doing it once, the good time maybe, 3 years ago during Euro 2020. He kept memories of it for life.
With, at the top of the list, the feat against France, then the reigning world champion but eliminated in the round of 16, after a crazy match. “I still have in my mind the images of our country celebrating in the minutes which followed our qualificationtakes over the right side, looking for a club for this summer. It seemed unreal to me. We Swiss are rather famous for being cold. But there, a whole people was celebrating. Such moments of joy are things you can’t buy.”
We Swiss are rather famous for being cold. But there, a whole people was celebrating. Such moments of joy are things you can’t buy
Kevin Mbabu enjoyed these moments so much that he almost wished he could share them as close as possible to people, with them. Three years later, he hasn’t forgotten anything. “There is even a little bit of nostalgia, because I sometimes replay these videos, carefully recorded on my cell phone“, smiles the man with 24 caps.
The fact remains that it is deep in his skull that the best memories remain. There was the draw against Wales (1-1), the rout against Italy (0-3), the victory over Turkey (3-1) and the day before the match against the Blues. “I remember everyone saw us explode against Francetakes up the player who is coming off a good season with Augsburg. We saw things happening on social media, we talked about it among ourselves and we even laughed about it. Because even if beating the world champions seemed like an impossible mission, we knew that anything could happen on the pitch. After all, we also have two legs, two arms…”
I had a grudge against the coach, because I would have liked to be started. So I arrived on the field with this desire to tear everything up, to show what I was worth, what Switzerland was worth.
And a head, above all, which allowed the Swiss to remain united and focused on their subject, to push back mountains. Unlike their adversaries, smug as can be! “Before the match, some French people asked us if we had already booked our vacation“, recalls Kevin Mbabu. Except that there was no postcard, but a fanfare start. “The Blues were surprised by our start to the matchcontinues the Genevan. Our mentality was incredible. They were so taken by surprise that they found themselves with the handbrake.”
The rest, we know it, or almost. Opening of the Seferovic brand. Penalty deflected by Lloris. Three French goals including a masterpiece from Pogba. Then the miracle, with the wonderful Mario Gavranovic. Mbabu does not say it, but upon entering the game, he was, just like an exceptional Christian Fassnacht, among the triggers of the Swiss awakening, notably being the author of the decisive pass on the 2-3 (Seferovic). “I had a little grudge against the coach (editor’s note: Vladimir Petkovic), because I would have liked to be tenuredhe smiles. So I arrived on the field with this desire to tear everything up, to show what I was worth, what Switzerland was worth. A Euro is watched by everyone, it’s the ideal opportunity...”
The feat could have had a second episode, but a new series of penalties, against Spain, did not then turn in favor of Switzerland in the quarter-finals. “There was a bit of bitterness, especially as we got through the end of the match with 10 men after a red card, in my opinion questionable (editor’s note: Remo Freuler excluded in the 78th), but I still think that we came out of this Euro 2020 with our heads very, very high, having made Switzerland dream“, concludes the former Servettian.
Arnaud Cerutti
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