Football-loving mum with two sons on opposing Euro 2016 teams wears a T-shirt supporting them both
Elmaze Xhaka, the mother of Granit, 23, and Taulant, 25, decided to take a very diplomatic approach
WHAT does a football-mad mum do when her two sons are playing on opposing teams at Euro 2016?
Well, Elmaze Xhaka, the mother of Granit, 23, and Taulant, 25, decided to take a very diplomatic approach.
In a bid to avoid any family rows, she showed her support for both squads - Albania and Switzerland, respectively – by donning a half-and-half shirt.
Elmaze was pictured next to Granit's girlfriend Leonita Lekaj and their father, Ragip during the game in her feud-avoiding top.
Granit and Taulant were spotted hugging before the match
The Xhaka brothers went head-to-head at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France, in the teams’ opening game of the tournament.
Granit, Arsenal's new £35million signing, represents Switzerland after being born and growing up there, while his older brother bears the colours of his family's Albanian heritage.
Elmaze sat next to Granit's girlfriend Leonita Lekaj and their father, Ragip
The sportsmen were spotted hugging before kick-off and Granit announced on social media that they’re best friends as well as brothers.
Taking to Facebook before the game, he wrote: “My brother, you and I have always stuck together, no matter what.
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“Tomorrow will be the first time that we face each other on the pitch as opponents and I hope that it will be the first and last time, we will show the world that even though we are opponents for 90 minutes we will stand together like only brother can do.
“A match will never get between us not as friends and not as brothers. I wish you health and best of luck for the match tomorrow you are and will always be my role model.”
Taulant, who made no comment about the brotherly face-off before the match, was substituted in the 62nd minute, angrily throwing a water bottle as he was taken off.
His team ended up losing 1-0 to Switzerland, which is a shame for Elmaze as she must have been begging for a draw.