What’s a mother to do?

You have one son playing for Switzerland and one for Albania and they’re playing each other.

Many would have went for a neutral shirt, something that showed no support to either rather than run the risk of offending one of them, but not Mama Xhaka, who opted for a shirt that blended both national flags in a manner reminiscent of half-and-half scarves.

Here at Cannon Towers we actively despise such scarves but they are far more tolerable in international competitions than they are in domestic.

In fact, this might be the only situation in which we totally support the use of such a half-and-half concoction.

mama xhaka switzerland v albania

Given this was the first time in the history of the Euros that two brothers have faced each other, we can’t see it turning into an epidemic.

If you still aren’t 100% clear on why they play for different countries, Granit opted to play for Switzerland as that’s where he was born and grew up.

Taulant chose Albania as that’s where their family hails from before they ended up in Switzerland, although he did represent the Swiss at u17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 level before making the switch.

Taulant later claimed that his choice had been influenced by Granit who regretted not choosing the country of his ancestors. Granit had complained to the Albanian media that the Albanian FA were ignoring him before he opted to represent Switzerland, who were much more active in pursuing him.

Simple.