Grasshopper Club Zürich has to bow out in the semi-finals. The relegation-threatened record champions lost at FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy. As a result, the Vaud club advance to the cup final. After the 2:0 and a provocative celebration, there are still some unpleasant scenes.
From the start, there was no discernible difference in class on the Pontaise. The fourth-placed team in the Challenge League acted boldly and controlled large parts of the opening phase, with Johan Nkama missing the first great chance to take the lead after 14 minutes. GC acted passively and only got into the game better after around half an hour. In the 35th minute, only the crossbar prevented the visitors from taking the lead after a header from Sven Köhler. Shortly before the break, GC keeper Hammel also had to make two brilliant saves to save the tie going into the half-time break.
After the break, Lausanne-Ouchy immediately took command again. The hosts were rewarded in the 53rd minute: Landry Nomel cut inside unchallenged from the left corner of the penalty area and poked the ball into the far corner to make it 1:0. GC coach Gernot Messner tried to respond with a change of personnel, but Zurich’s attacking efforts seemed largely helpless.
A direct corner sinks GC for good
The next blow for the visitors came in the 83rd minute: Sven Köhler had to pull the emergency brake after a fatal build-up mistake and was consequently shown the red card. The final decision was made in spectacular fashion in the 90th minute: Vasco Tritten smashed a corner kick straight into the far corner to make the final score 2:0. In the hectic final phase, which was briefly interrupted by rioting in the GC fan block, Lausanne left nothing to be desired.
For FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy, this victory is the greatest success in the club’s history and gives them their first appearance in the final. The underdogs will compete for the coveted trophy in Bern’s Wankdorf on May 24. For Grasshopper Club Zürich, on the other hand, the last hope of a conciliatory end to the season ends in disaster; the record cup winners are denied a 33rd appearance in the final. Stade Lausanne-Ouchy will face Yverdon or St. Gallen in the final.