More than seven decades after Rene Bollier’s grandfather immigrated from Switzerland to the United States, the Swiss National Team is coming to the place Bollier’s family now calls home.In 1955, Bollier’s grandfather, Andre Bollier, opened a Swiss chocolate and pastry shop in Kansas City. 71 years later, Bollier is the third generation to run Andre’s Confiserie Suisse.Even older than the Bollier’s history in KC is the drought since Switzerland was last in the World Cup Quarterfinals. It’s been since 1954, one year before Andre’s opened, that the Swiss have been this far in the World Cup.”I am absolutely floored,” Bollier said. “I knew it was a possibility, but didn’t really believe it was going to happen. I mean, it’s been 72 years since they made it to this level of the World Cup.”The drought ended Tuesday when Switzerland defeated Colombia on penalties in the round of 16.”It was such a tense game,” Bollier said. “I mean, a defensive battle. The fact that it went into PKs was exciting, stressful.”But after the heart-racing finish, Bollier had to do some scrambling of his own to prepare for his favorite squad to come to Kansas City.”It was a mad dash yesterday to figure out what we were going to do,” he said. “We have a beautiful hazelnut, praline chocolate bar that we’re making with toasted almonds, nougat, covered in milk chocolate.”Bollier and Andre’s have created a line of chocolate bars for each of the World Cup teams that have come to Kansas City, but not for Switzerland.”Everything we do is Swiss,” Bollier said. “So we didn’t create one specifically for the Swiss team until we knew they were going to be here.”But what do Kansas Citians need to know about the tenth group of World Cup fans set to descend on the metro?”I mean chocolate and cheese, that’s what Switzerland is known for,” said Bollier with a laugh.Beyond the basics, Bollier said the Swiss have passionate fans. Despite the country having less than a fourth of Argentina’s population and lacking a megastar like Lionel Messi, Bollier believes Swiss fans will make themselves known in KC.”I think Arrowhead is probably going to be painted with blue and white, but there will definitely be a decent amount of red,” Bollier said. “The Swiss love to support their national team. So, yes, I think the Swiss will travel.”People in KC should also expect to hear more alphorn around town. The long, wooden horns have already been blowing after Switzerland’s win on Tuesday.With the Swiss team set to arrive soon, Bollier hopes they may have time to stop by. He said he’s already been talking to a Swiss ambassador about coming to Andre’s.”I know the Swiss team’s going to be really busy just in preparation,” Bollier said. “So I don’t know if they’re going to get a chance to get out and come to Andre’s, but they’re invited. We’d love to see him here.”In fact, Andre’s chocolates have already been ordered by other World Cup teams who have stayed in KC. Switzerland’s Saturday opponent, Argentina, has even had some.With Argentina standing between Switzerland and something the team has never done, make it to a World Cup semi-final, I asked Bollier if he’d be fulfilling any order for the Argentina team if they do come calling between now and match day.”I love Messi,” he said. “I love the Argentina team. I am all for Switzerland, come this Saturday. But, you know, if Argentina needs some chocolates, we’ve got some for them, as well. It’s Switzerland, we’re neutral.”Switzerland kicks off against Argentina at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Kansas City Stadium. The winner will go on to a semifinal against Norway or England on Wednesday, July 15.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

More than seven decades after Rene Bollier’s grandfather immigrated from Switzerland to the United States, the Swiss National Team is coming to the place Bollier’s family now calls home.

In 1955, Bollier’s grandfather, Andre Bollier, opened a Swiss chocolate and pastry shop in Kansas City. 71 years later, Bollier is the third generation to run Andre’s Confiserie Suisse.

Even older than the Bollier’s history in KC is the drought since Switzerland was last in the World Cup Quarterfinals. It’s been since 1954, one year before Andre’s opened, that the Swiss have been this far in the World Cup.

“I am absolutely floored,” Bollier said. “I knew it was a possibility, but didn’t really believe it was going to happen. I mean, it’s been 72 years since they made it to this level of the World Cup.”

The drought ended Tuesday when Switzerland defeated Colombia on penalties in the round of 16.

“It was such a tense game,” Bollier said. “I mean, a defensive battle. The fact that it went into PKs was exciting, stressful.”

But after the heart-racing finish, Bollier had to do some scrambling of his own to prepare for his favorite squad to come to Kansas City.

“It was a mad dash yesterday to figure out what we were going to do,” he said. “We have a beautiful hazelnut, praline chocolate bar that we’re making with toasted almonds, nougat, covered in milk chocolate.”

Bollier and Andre’s have created a line of chocolate bars for each of the World Cup teams that have come to Kansas City, but not for Switzerland.

“Everything we do is Swiss,” Bollier said. “So we didn’t create one specifically for the Swiss team until we knew they were going to be here.”

But what do Kansas Citians need to know about the tenth group of World Cup fans set to descend on the metro?

“I mean chocolate and cheese, that’s what Switzerland is known for,” said Bollier with a laugh.

Beyond the basics, Bollier said the Swiss have passionate fans. Despite the country having less than a fourth of Argentina’s population and lacking a megastar like Lionel Messi, Bollier believes Swiss fans will make themselves known in KC.

“I think Arrowhead is probably going to be painted with blue and white, but there will definitely be a decent amount of red,” Bollier said. “The Swiss love to support their national team. So, yes, I think the Swiss will travel.”

People in KC should also expect to hear more alphorn around town. The long, wooden horns have already been blowing after Switzerland’s win on Tuesday.

With the Swiss team set to arrive soon, Bollier hopes they may have time to stop by. He said he’s already been talking to a Swiss ambassador about coming to Andre’s.

“I know the Swiss team’s going to be really busy just in preparation,” Bollier said. “So I don’t know if they’re going to get a chance to get out and come to Andre’s, but they’re invited. We’d love to see him here.”

In fact, Andre’s chocolates have already been ordered by other World Cup teams who have stayed in KC. Switzerland’s Saturday opponent, Argentina, has even had some.

With Argentina standing between Switzerland and something the team has never done, make it to a World Cup semi-final, I asked Bollier if he’d be fulfilling any order for the Argentina team if they do come calling between now and match day.

“I love Messi,” he said. “I love the Argentina team. I am all for Switzerland, come this Saturday. But, you know, if Argentina needs some chocolates, we’ve got some for them, as well. It’s Switzerland, we’re neutral.”

Switzerland kicks off against Argentina at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Kansas City Stadium. The winner will go on to a semifinal against Norway or England on Wednesday, July 15.