Berlin: Yann Sommer’s save in the penalty shootout against France’s superstar Kylian Mbappe in Bucharest has turned Switzerland into a gigantic party mile.
The country’s first quarterfinal appearance in over 67 years at the European Championship has triggered incomparable emotions among most of the 8.5 million inhabitants, reports Xinhua.
Streets are packed in all regions with people enthusiastically partying. Traffic has come to a complete standstill. The sound of horns is filling the night up to remote mountain valleys, with most people not finding their way to sleep at night.
Hundreds of thousands celebrated until morning. People danced in the streets or on their balconies waving Swiss flags.
Newspapers and TV stations declared June 28 to the nation’s new state holiday.
After three unsuccessful penalty shootouts at major tournaments, Vladimir Petkovic’s men turned things around and created footballing history for Switzerland.
Sommer’s save led Switzerland to their first ever victory over France in a competitive match.
Following Euro 2020’s biggest surprise yet, Swiss TV started special coverage for many hours showing pictures of fans celebrating in public viewing sites across the country.
