Go FC Winterthur!!

I enjoyed my second ever football match in Switzerland watching FC Winterthur play against SC Kriens yesterday afternoon at the Schützenwiese. As I stood in the sunshine sipping an afternoon beer, listening to the cheers and good-humoured banter all around me, I wondered if there was ever a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? 

Especially with the end result of 3-0 to enjoy (although it should have been 5-0 – two absolute sitters were missed with a rush of blood to the head!)

We are seriously considering obtaining a season ticket – at around 200 CHF it seems an absolute bargain. Winti FC are in the Challenge League, the second tier of Swiss football. Local football really is the bees-knees. There was no shortage of children there too, so also perfect for familes – and the kids also have their own ‘Syrup corner’ – their own stand with balloons, drums and free drinks!

Match report:

Goal scorers: 11. Harambasic, 61./81. Ballet

My cartooon of Supersub Ballet

A huge 5,100 fans (Winti’s fanbase lords over the other teams in the Challenge League) enjoyed a resounding triumph on the day.

However, despite the easy looking result on paper, it was no easy ride for FCW. Kriens were in fighting spirit, especially in the first half when FCW struggled to maintain the precision required to dominate the game and convert their efforts into goals. Indeed, their first goal advantage was an own-goal by central defender Ivan Harambasic with a deflected a shot from Tobias Schättin. Kriens went on to create a few good chances but thanks to FCW goalie Raphael Spiegel, the hosts held onto a narrow 1-0 lead at half-time. 

The second half brought drama aplenty as fans watched in horror as striker Neftalie Manzambi was stretchered off the field with severe back pain. Fortunately his substitute Samuel Ballet came on with fire in his loins, scoring the second goal in the 61^st minute when he dribbled around the goalie and dinked the ball in from a tight angle. Ballet also scored the third, steaming towards the goal with a beautifully timed midfield pass from Captain Granit Lekaj to find his target with precision. 

Ballet did seem to provide the turning point in this game - he played with great verve and never looked like he was going to miss when one-on-one with the keeper, such was his confidence. In addition, FCW could have easily converted this to 5-0 – two absolute sitters into an open goal failed to materialise to the mirth and amusement of the crowd. Despite the high drama and consternation at times of the fans the result saw them in a forgiving mood as FCW nudged itself back up to second place in the league. With a win on Friday at Vaduz the team will be top dog once more and in fine celebratory mood come the weekend.

fcwinterthur.ch

Match highlights