For Switzerland, the 2022 World Cup provides yet another opportunity to correct the critics. At last summer’s European Championships, the Rossocrociati stunned favourites France in the Round of 16, but that wasn’t to be their only notable upset over the past 18 months.
Much like group rivals Serbia, Switzerland edged out a football heavyweight to top their Word Cup qualifying group. Two draws against reigning European champions Italy saw them finish first in Group C, leaving the Azzuri to play North Macedonia in a playoff. For the Swiss, it served as confirmation that Euro 2020 was no fluke.
While Switzerland don’t quite have the same star power as Serbia, they arguably have more quality across the team. Experience can be all-important in big tournaments, which the likes of Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Ricardo Rodriguez provide in spades.
All three represented Switzerland at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, with Shaqiri even playing in South Africa 12 years ago. That star trio, supplemented by the talented Manuel Akanji in defence, Yann Sommer in goal, and Breel Embolo up front, gives the side a spine of real quality.
The man in charge is former Swiss international Murat Yakin, who took over from Vladimir Petkovic in July 2021.
Under the 47-year-old, Switzerland sealed qualification to the 2022 World Cup in style, although recent results have been less consistent. Their low point was a 4-0 Nations League defeat to Portugal in June, from which the Swiss recovered well to earn a 1-0 win over the same opponents a week later.
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin celebrates after the World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria in November, 2021. EPA
On their day, Switzerland are capable of beating just about any side in world football. With a rock-solid defence to fall back on, they have several match winners who can make the difference in the final third.
Questions remain over the ageing nature of the squad, as Shaqiri, who was so often the difference maker in years gone by, is something of a fading force. However, with new heroes like Djibril Sow and Embolo now coming to the fore, anything is possible for the perennial overachievers.
Manager: Murat Yakin
Star player: Granit Xhaka
One to Watch: Djibril Sow
World Cups appeared in: 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
Fixtures: Nov 24 - Switzerland v Cameroon / Nov 28 - Brazil v Switzerland / Dec 2 - Serbia v Switzerland
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened. He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia. Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”. Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
