Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has challenged his team-mates to achieve the country s best-ever performance at a European Championship by reaching the quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old warned that his side must not underestimate Group A opponents Albania and Romania, as they look to reach the knock-out stages of the tournament for the first time.
Switzerland must also play tournament hosts France, and Xhaka told UEFA.com: I agree with those who say France are the favourites, but we cannot underestimate Albania and Romania either.
They made a lot of progress last year. Albania are taking part for the first time, while Romania are very good defensively and have not lost in years. It s an interesting group.
Our first priority is definitely to make it through the group stage. After that you need to have a bit of luck with the draw, but I think with the team we have, we should be able to make it to the quarter-finals.
Switzerland s first test comes against Albania in a match that will see Xhaka go head-to-head against his brother, Taulant.
The pair will become the first brothers to face each other in a European Championship match, and Granit said: My brother and I have a very good relationship. We re not just brothers but best friends.
Immediately after the draw was made, we had a weird feeling about it. Both of us were a bit nervous, but we re both quite relaxed about it now.
He added: This is my second big tournament [after World Cup 2014], my first here in France, and I m looking forward to it.
