Servette are the final Swiss Super League outfit needing to be visited on our tour of the Swiss 36 and its a visit that we'd postponed. Heavy Snow in Winterthur resulted in our thinking better of the trip back in October. If we had taken the risk, it would have been fine. The weather was fine in Geneva and Servette beat top of the table, Grasshoppers by a two goals to nil.
Still, SFC v FCS has a nearly palindromic fascination about it. It is actually a rivalry in Switzerland which is surprising. Between the two places is a near two-hour trip either through the mountains or looping around Lake Geneva.
Its a long trip from Winterthur over to Geneva but its a single train so once we'd got ourselves comfy it would be fine. Besides - its only once and for the Swiss 36, we will endure!
We were observant enough to get an empty set of four-seats around a table at Zürich Airport and decided to keep things that way. Our comfort was threatened at Zürich main station but a couple of "Olé...Olé Olé Olés" and choruses of "FC Winti FCW" had most new passengers convinced we were that hooligan element. Disgraceful I know but why are people so quick to judge football fans who sing?
So into Geneva and where to next? Not immediately apparent but one stop on a local train in the direction of Lancy seemed a good bet according to Google Maps. Off that train and where to? Follow the crowd and out we came in Carouge. A sign indicated the directions to Etoille. Etoille de Carouge? That was a team that was relegated from the Challenge League last season. OK - it looks like we will be around these parts one more time for the Swiss 36!
Most folks looked to be getting on a bus so we followed and a couple of stops later we were there.
 |
| Great looking stadium |
And contrary to many Swiss stadia, what a great looking stadium! Getting off the bus and we could already hear the crowd inside. It was looking good!
We were politely directed to a ticket stand and paid 25 SFr for a seat behind the goal. That's fine for Super League. The security were anal....and stupid. They weren't at all interested in my beaker of enhanced Vodka but had great fascination in a bit of my broken camera tripod! But they saved the best until last.
In my rucksack was an England flag that I use at Winterthur matches. They didn't like it because of the four small carbiners that I use to attach it to fences. I simply assured them that I wouldn't be using the flag today and they allowed it to be stuffed back in the rucksack!
I take it then that had they found my pepper spray or my taser gun, I'd have been allowed to keep those too?
Into the stadium and it looks as goo inside as it does outside.
Points time.
Getting There
6 / 10. I didn't see a signpost and it wasn't exactly obvious. We found our way by following the crowds. Getting back we ended up on a bus going in the wrong direction so it could be clearer.
Friendliness
7 / 10. We only spoke to club employees and security staff who were all nice enough. Security were thorough but friendly.
Safety
5 / 10. Yes its the fences again. I have the Hillsborough TV - Drama on video and I think I should send it to the Swiss FA. In this case the fencing is again to cage in the best fans the club has as well as the away support.
Then we have the bizarre security. "Oh OK - I won't use the flag" was enough to allow me to take in something they didn't like. A few flares came out during the game showing again how effective the security was.
View
8 / 10. Stade de Geneve is a proper football stadium and I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. However, the fencing attracts banners and flags. If you were to end up sat directly behind the fences, you wouldn't see a thing!
Atmosphere
10 / 10. Oh Yes! This is why I love football! The first thing I will say is full marks to Servette FC. They've given those fan-cheerleaders that I've spoken about a small platform in front of the kop equipped with loudspeakers and a microphone. And they make good use of it!
The club also had a great entrance. These guys were the first out of the tunnel and they did a lap of the pitch before standing around the centre circle as the teams came out. All with music of course, it was a very effective build up.
Sion fans are also worth a mention. They too had plenty of flags and did get themselves heard, which was no mean achievement against a very vocal Servette kop. Simply excellent!
Refreshments
4 / 10. Not good I'm afraid. Hot Dogs, chips or sandwiches where we were. Shame really.Overall
40/60 - Quite respectable.
Redeeming Feature
Not really too much that I haven't evaluated. Good Stadium, great fans.
The Match
Not a bad match unless you happen to be a Servette fan. In the end, they were well beaten 0 : 2 by their rivals.
It was a cagey opening, typical of when aside in trouble are at home. It took 22 minutes to get an effort on goal, but it was a very good one. The home side attacked down the left with Steven Lang. He cut in slightly before hitting a ferocious shot that Andris Vanins did well to tip over his bar. Vanins was called into action again 5 minutes before half time. Lang caused the problems again, this time on the right. His shot found Geoff Triand who's drive was pushed out. A moments hesitation from Sauthier caused the ball to be scooped up across the goalmouth to Vince Rüfli who just needed a clean contact, but didn't get it.
Straight down the other end and Sion nearly scored when Leo's shot was pushed onto the post by Chris Routis, who reacted quickly to prevent further danger from the rebound. But Sion had now joined the game. Right on the stroke of half time, Xavier Kouassi was harshly judged to have brought down in the area and Kyle Lafferty made no mistake with the spot-kick.
It was less than the home side deserved on the first half display.
Into the second half and the introduction of Gennaro Gattuso had a calming effect on the visitors, that resulted in the home side creating little more for the fans to cheer about (not that this stopped them). The increased solidity of the midfield bolted the door.
The second goal came from a bit of poor defending when a weak defensive header fell to André Marquis. He attacked down the left and crossed for the ever-influential Leo to score at the near post.
Not good enough in the second-half from Servette who have work to do this season to maintain their top-flight status. Shame that - The fans certainly deserve more!
 |
| ...and not bad inside either |
Points time.
Getting There
6 / 10. I didn't see a signpost and it wasn't exactly obvious. We found our way by following the crowds. Getting back we ended up on a bus going in the wrong direction so it could be clearer.
Friendliness
7 / 10. We only spoke to club employees and security staff who were all nice enough. Security were thorough but friendly.
 |
| ahhhh but the fences |
5 / 10. Yes its the fences again. I have the Hillsborough TV - Drama on video and I think I should send it to the Swiss FA. In this case the fencing is again to cage in the best fans the club has as well as the away support.
Then we have the bizarre security. "Oh OK - I won't use the flag" was enough to allow me to take in something they didn't like. A few flares came out during the game showing again how effective the security was.
View
8 / 10. Stade de Geneve is a proper football stadium and I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. However, the fencing attracts banners and flags. If you were to end up sat directly behind the fences, you wouldn't see a thing!
Atmosphere
10 / 10. Oh Yes! This is why I love football! The first thing I will say is full marks to Servette FC. They've given those fan-cheerleaders that I've spoken about a small platform in front of the kop equipped with loudspeakers and a microphone. And they make good use of it!
They carried on like that from start to finish even though they lost 2:0!
 |
| Great entrance ceremonies to build atmosphere |
Sion fans are also worth a mention. They too had plenty of flags and did get themselves heard, which was no mean achievement against a very vocal Servette kop. Simply excellent!
Refreshments
4 / 10. Not good I'm afraid. Hot Dogs, chips or sandwiches where we were. Shame really.Overall
40/60 - Quite respectable.
Redeeming Feature
Not really too much that I haven't evaluated. Good Stadium, great fans.
The Match
Not a bad match unless you happen to be a Servette fan. In the end, they were well beaten 0 : 2 by their rivals.
It was a cagey opening, typical of when aside in trouble are at home. It took 22 minutes to get an effort on goal, but it was a very good one. The home side attacked down the left with Steven Lang. He cut in slightly before hitting a ferocious shot that Andris Vanins did well to tip over his bar. Vanins was called into action again 5 minutes before half time. Lang caused the problems again, this time on the right. His shot found Geoff Triand who's drive was pushed out. A moments hesitation from Sauthier caused the ball to be scooped up across the goalmouth to Vince Rüfli who just needed a clean contact, but didn't get it.
Straight down the other end and Sion nearly scored when Leo's shot was pushed onto the post by Chris Routis, who reacted quickly to prevent further danger from the rebound. But Sion had now joined the game. Right on the stroke of half time, Xavier Kouassi was harshly judged to have brought down in the area and Kyle Lafferty made no mistake with the spot-kick.
It was less than the home side deserved on the first half display.
Into the second half and the introduction of Gennaro Gattuso had a calming effect on the visitors, that resulted in the home side creating little more for the fans to cheer about (not that this stopped them). The increased solidity of the midfield bolted the door.
The second goal came from a bit of poor defending when a weak defensive header fell to André Marquis. He attacked down the left and crossed for the ever-influential Leo to score at the near post.
Not good enough in the second-half from Servette who have work to do this season to maintain their top-flight status. Shame that - The fans certainly deserve more!
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment