Genève-Servette will not be able to defend its title of European champion. At Vernets during the first leg of the semi-final against Zurich, the Eagles lost 6-1.
Embarrassing, this is the term which seems to best define the ‘performance’ of the Genevans in this part. Worrying for the future too. Even if the Eagles can call on bad luck, especially in the first third, the impression is that they gave up too quickly.
We can say that Lehtonen’s 3-0 (22nd), scored on an error by goalkeeper Raanta, sounded the death knell for the meager garnet hopes. The Finnish goalkeeper even gave way to Robert Mayer in the 28th after Zurich’s 4-0, scored after a superb one-touch team play concluded by Balcers.
The players of the Treille-Franzen duo believed in it at the start of the match. However, the equalizer refused to Granlund in the 10th for an offside well detected by the Zurich staff had the effect of tensing up the Genevans. Especially since a minute later, Nicolas Baechler was able to double the lead.
Geneva also found the amounts twice (15th and 26th), but to summarize such a lack of breeches as a lack of success would be dishonest. Despite the presence of Sakari Manninen, suspended in the National League but not on the European scene, the Eagles did not seem able to thwart the Lions’ play.
Accumulation of penalties
-Questioned after twenty minutes by the announcer, Alessio Bertaggia assured that the players had given everything and that they would continue on this path. The latter unfortunately accumulated penalties and paid dearly. Eric Schneller’s goal in the 49th minute changed nothing at the end of this meeting.
Geneva receives Kloten on Friday, then travels to Rapperswil. It will be a question of showing another state of mind in the National League or risk seeing the train of 10th place move away.
The return match next Tuesday in Zurich will only be a formality and barring cataclysm, the final will be played on February 18 in Karlstad in Sweden between Färjestad and Zurich, since the Scandinavians won 6-2 in Prague against Sparta.
/ATS
