Revealed: The extreme lengths Switzerland's goalkeepers are going to in order to keep out Harry Kane & England at Euro 2024

Both Sommer and Kobel have been seen training with cutting-edge, battery-powered sunglasses designed to enhance their reflexes and improve performance on the field. The sunglasses, developed by Japanese company VisionUp, cost over £350 and are designed to create a slow-motion effect when a ball is struck. This technology helps players sharpen their reaction times by forcing their brains to process visual information quickly.

VisionUp claims that these glasses can improve various visual abilities, including kinetic and dynamic visual acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and hand-eye coordination. The goal is to enhance overall athletic performance, making these glasses a valuable tool not just for footballers but for athletes across various sports.

This isn't the first time Switzerland's goalkeepers have used these innovative glasses. During Euro 2020 they trained with the same accessory and Sommer famously saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappe, contributing to Switzerland's victory over France in the last-16 shootout. The glasses were also utilised during the World Cup in Qatar, although Switzerland faced a heavy defeat against Portugal.

While Switzerland focuses on visual training, the England team has employed its own unique methods to prepare for the tournament. England's players have been using pickle juice to prevent cramps. This unconventional remedy contains sodium, potassium, and vinegar, which trigger a reflex in the mouth to stop muscles from cramping. Besides preventing cramps, pickle juice is believed to offer additional health benefits, such as improving gut health with antioxidants, and controlling blood sugar levels.

Both teams' adoption of unique training methods highlights the concept of marginal gains in sports. Small, innovative improvements can collectively make a significant difference in performance. Switzerland’s use of high-tech glasses and England’s reliance on pickle juice are examples of how modern athletes and teams continuously seek new ways to gain an edge over their opponents.