If NFL franchises were EURO 2020 Teams: Part 3
By Tadhg Flynn
2. Switzerland – NFL Franchise Comparison: Las Vegas Raiders
Next game: vs. France, Monday, June 28
Switzerland is an interesting case in football. They are one of the oldest nations in the world, unchanged for hundreds of years, and yet they have never been a big force competing in football tournaments.
Despite a lack of historical success, they have been moderately competitive for the last 15 years. Surprisingly, they have even spent a majority of that time in the top five of world football rankings thanks to their effective style and consistent wins over less organized teams.
Switzerland are a very stable team, with multiple players in the squad having made 40+ international appearances together. They stick to their game plan and rely on their flair players, such as Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri, to find moments of magic to win games. They are difficult to break down, and any team that plays against Switzerland have to ensure they are ready for a dogfight.
With the country being so lavishly rich and their team being surprisingly gritty and competitive, the best NFL comparison is the Las Vegas Raiders. Whilst they are not the worst team in the NFL, the Raiders can be uninspiring at times. They can play up to opposition and turn out brilliant performances, but for the most part you don’t expect this Raiders team to dominate.
They recently moved to Las Vegas and are now the proud owners of one of the flashiest stadiums in the league. Fans will certainly find comfort in watching their Swiss alternatives thanks to the country’s high roller reputation. If Raiders fans back Switzerland despite being in the red (for both their soccer kit and betting odds), they are sure to be entertained.