At 6pm on July 6, Switzerland will take its next step in the Euros as the Nati face England in Düsseldorf. If captain Granit Xhaka and manager Murat Yakin are able to guide the team to victory, officials in Zurich have confirmed that they will allow bars to remain open throughout the night.
In a statement, the security department head for Zurich, Karin Rykart, confirmed that if Switzerland beat England on July 6, restaurants and bars in the city will be granted a "free night". This means that bars and restaurants will be able to continue to serve food and drinks long into the early hours of the morning of July 7, to help fans celebrate what would be a momentous victory.
The extended hours will apply to all indoor venues - outdoor terraces and venues must close as normal. This freedom will also be granted in Schlieren and Winterthur in Canton Zurich, should Switzerland win the game, and while we may be getting ahead of ourselves, free nights will also be granted if the team wins the semi-final and / or final.
Switzerland in the European Football Championships in 2024 has been a pleasant surprise so far. After beating Hungary, nearly defeating hosts Germany and drawing with Scotland, the team put in a dominant performance to beat Italy by two goals to nil in the round of 16 on June 29. Goals by Remo Freuler and Rubén Vargas were enough to secure the win at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Now, the Swiss national team will face an England side that has done everything but set the world on fire. Two late goals saw them beat Slovakia in the round of 16, after dull as dishwater draws against Slovenia and Denmark, and a win against Serbia.
While the Three Lions would traditionally be considered the favourite - England are 13 games unbeaten against Switzerland; the last time the Swiss beat them in a competitive fixture was in 1981 - their poor form could be just the opportunity the Nati need. If Switzerland win, it will be the national team’s best-ever performance at a major tournament.
The winner of the match will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-final on July 10 in Dortmund, with the victor set to face either Spain, Germany, Portugal or France in the final in Berlin on July 14.