Saturday 14th October 2017
Swiss Super League
Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne
Admission: CHF 27.50
Programme: Free
Attendance: 4,640
Match Rating: 4
Following my game in Geneva yesterday evening, this morning I made my way by train along to Lake Geneva to Lausanne, for another busy day sightseeing – not the easiest of tasks with the city being full of steep hills – followed by an evening game in the top flight of Swiss football.
The Stade Olympique de la Pontaise is about a half hour bus ride northwards from the city centre, and is delightfully old-fashioned in its appearance and facilities. So no surprise, sadly, that plans have been approved for a new stadium to replace it within the next couple of years. Tickets are available at booths outside the main gates, although again I purchased mine online for a discount. Inside the main gate there is a large area for refreshments and a van selling club merchandise. The stadium has mainly seating all the way around, with large all-seater stands along both lengths, although a small section on one side offers terrace steps to stand on. Uncovered seating, not in use, stretched between the stands behind one goal, with a scoreboard in the middle, whilst behind the other, about half of the area is unused uncovered seating, a small covered section offers terraces steps for away fans (although away fans also appeared to be welcome in any other stand), and the remaining area was unused covered seating. The presence of a running track around the pitch means that spectators are a little distant from the actions, but otherwise views are excellent from the stand along the lengths, elevated and unobstructed. Programmes were handed out free of charge around the stadium and also as one enters the stands, and whilst it was rather more basic than yesterday's offering at Servette, it contained the essential facts and getting a programme is not something one can always rely on abroad.
After a difficult start to their season, where they picked up just two points from their opening six league games, they have been unbeaten in their last four league games, and came into this game in eighth place in the ten team division, with ten points from their ten league games. This match would be a very tough assignment for them though, as the visitors were top of the table by six points, and have won their last four league games.
At the end of a beautifully warm and sunny day, conditions were perfect for watching football this evening. The first half was well balanced, Young Boys always seeming to have a little bit more quality, but Lausanne did look dangerous on the break, with some cute touches and fast movement setting them on their way on several occasions. Indeed, they took the lead on 41 minutes, again some fast passing culminated in Samuele Campo laying the ball off for Francesco Margiotta, who took a touch before placing the ball past the keeper.
The away section greeted the players for the second half with flares and sparklers, with the flares continuing throughout the second half. Indeed, they provided superb support for their team, with continual chanting throughout the match. Their team certainly stirred into life in the second half, as the visitors completely dominated proceedings, spending most of the time camped in the opposition’s third, as the hosts were happy to sit deep and defend for their lives. The inevitable finally came on 67 minutes when Young Boys equalised. Roger Assalé curled the ball to the back post, and Christian Fassnacht headed the ball powerfully home. There looked to be only one winner now as the visitors gathered the ball and printed back into position to kick off. Lausanne were not quite so defensive after the goal, but still they had the look of a team who would be delighted to hold on for a point as Young Boys pushed hard for a winner. A draw looked inevitable as the game entered just two minutes of added on time at the end of the match, however that provided just enough time to produce a dramatic finish. Following a throw in by the corner flag, Benjamin Kololli swung the ball high into the box, the ball just evaded a jump by a defender and substitute Gonzalo Zarate was there to head the ball home beyond the keeper’s dive, to cue wild celebrations amongst the crowd and players, which continued beyond the final whistle which blew shortly afterwards. The Lausanne players joined in with the celebrations in front of the terrace area, and no wonder the occasion was celebrated so much, as it was Lausanne’s first home victory in the league for over a calendar year, spanning 21 home matches.
This was a terrific way to end my short groundhopping stay in Switzerland, witnessing a dramatic match in pleasantly old fashioned surroundings and with a friendly feel to the place amongst the fans and officials.
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