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Swiss football fans arrive in Kaliningrad – by tractor

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Swiss football fans arrive in Kaliningrad – by tractor
The Swiss team preparing for action in Kaliningrad. Photo: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP

A tractor driven by three ardent Swiss football fans has arrived in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad ahead of the World Cup encounter between Switzerland and Serbia on Friday.

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The three Swiss – Josef Wyer, Werner Zimmermann and Beat Studer – left Küssnacht am Rigi in the canton of Schwyz on June 9th.

They completed the 12-stage 1,800 km journey on Thursday when they drove into Kaliningrad on their 54-year-old red and white tractor, known as Gritli.

In a Facebook post the three announced they had arrived without incident from Elblag in Poland.

However, they did have one anxious moment while crossing Poland when they were stopped by police after taking a wrong turn, 20 Minutes reported.

Read also: Swiss football fans end up in Ukraine war zone on way to Brazil game

The three Switzerland supporters are raising money on their trip for a charitable foundation, Joy Prevails, set up by former Swiss sport minister Adolf Ogi.

The Switzerland-Serbia clash starts at 8pm on Friday.

Friday’s game could decide the fate of Group E, with both sides vying for a single last-16 spot alongside Brazil.

Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic has vowed his side will maintain the robust approach that earned them a draw against Brazil in their first World Cup match, AFP reported.

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