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Jerseys, balls and the field all failed as France drew Switzerland
Switzerland and France played to a 0-0 draw, cementing their places in the Euro 2016 knockout rounds. Despite some quality moments it was a bizarre game where the two sides struggled not only to match each other man for man, but against the pitch, the ball, and even their clothing.
(L-R) Breel Embolo of Switzerland, Paul Pogba of France, Granit Xhaka of Switzerland during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A group stage match between Switzerland and France at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on june 19, 2016 in Lille, France.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Lille's Stade Pierre Mauroy surface was awful at best; painted green in spots to cover up bald patches, and leaving players looking as if they were wearing expensive, brightly colored ice skates as they slipped all over the field. France's new superstar Dimitri Payet, a second half substitute, roasted the surface in a post-game interview, declaring he was glad he "didn't play much on Lille's pitch, because it was in bad shape."
Even adidas' Beau Jeu match ball couldn't take the heat as Valon Behrami, a hard tackler, and apparently a cartoon superhero, got stuck in so far he managed to pop it during the run of play.
LILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 19: Valon Behrami of Switzerland holds the burst ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between Switzerland and France at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 19, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The match was full of ridiculous moments, from Behrami's Wolverine moment to Paul Pogba's sleigh ride on Breel Embolo's back, but the biggest fail on the day was Switzerland's tissue paper jerseys issued by Puma. No fewer than four different Swiss players had their shirts torn to tatters, sparking jokes from every corner of the internet.
The best quotable of the night came from Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri himself though, joking to Swiss publication Blick that he hoped "Puma does not produce condoms." Even Puma ambassador Thierry Henry got in on the act, claiming he'd have a word with his sponsor about the jerseys before making possibly the greatest pre-laugh face in recorded history.
Both Adidas and Puma have since addressed their equipment failures, with Puma issuing a statement on their website blaming a manufacturing defect, and Adidas declaring their intention to discover the reason behind the ball tear.
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