Reigning Swiss champions Young Boys Bern were knocked out of the cup semi-finals after losing 1-0 to third-division side FC Biel-Bienne in extra time. YB played with ten men from the 77th minute onwards.
With a 1-0 victory after extra time, FC Biel-Bienne became the first third division team in 100 years of Swiss soccer to reach the cup final. In their home stadium, the Tissot Arena, the Seelanders knocked Young Boys Bern out of the semi-finals after the favourites were unable to prevail against the courageous home side and an active Radtke in the Biel goal over 120 minutes.
The scene of the match took place before the penalty that gave the third division side the lead. Von Ballmoos rushed out of his goal in the 99th minute and brought down the onrushing Socka. The team led by former Bundesliga players Bedia and Itten claimed that the Biel player had dived, but referee Dudic was not swayed. Sartoretti confidently converted to give Biel a 1-0 lead.
Another refereeing decision before extra time almost led to a penalty. In the 77th minute, Young Boys player Imeri was only able to stop Biel’s Coulibaly on the edge of the penalty area with a last-ditch tackle. Referee Dudic initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after consulting with the VAR, he decided on a free kick and showed the Swiss international, who had come on as a substitute three minutes earlier, the red card.
The next semi-final in the Swiss Cup will take place on Sunday (3:30 p.m.) when the current Credit Super League leaders, FC Basel, host FC Lausanne-Sport.
