SERVETTE FC (Stade de Genève)

SWISS CHALLENGE LEAGUE, SERVETTE FC 0-0 FC WINTERTHUR, ATTENDANCE: 2,432

For my summer holiday this year I decided on a little trek across two countries that would involve taking in six games over the course of five days. My European tour began in the Swiss city of Geneva (please don't ask for my thought process of why Geneva) ending in Neubrandenburg on Sunday. 

The predominantly French speaking city of Geneva is the home of Servette FC. Founded in 1890, and with 17 titles to their name, they are currently members of the Swiss Challenge League, the second tier of Swiss football, having been relegated (for on the pitch results) for the first time in its history in 2013. 

One of the 'Wall of Solidarity'
Approximately 5,000 bricks were
purchased by supporters when the
club had financial problems

The club were 'relegated' to the third division in 2005 due to bankruptcy. Servette had run up debts of over 10 million Swiss francs and, having not paid the players since the previous November, the club suffered a mass exodus of players. 

The club continued by taking the place of their U21 team, who were playing two divisions below the first team in 1.Liga Classic. The club achieved promotion to the Swiss Challenge League the following year and remained there until the club won promotion back to the top flight in 2011.

The club finished fourth in its first season back in the top flight to earn a spot in the Europa League. However after being eliminated by Rosenburg the season went downhill and the club finished bottom of the Super League.

Servette's home is the Stade de Genève, which was opened in 2003, and which hosted three group matches in the 2008 European Championships. The capacity of the stadium is 30,000 but the average home crowd is about a tenth of that. Getting a ticket for tonight's game with FC Winterthur was therefore rather straightforward as it was just a case of turning up at the ticket office and buying one!

The ground is about 2 miles out of town. I got tram 15 from the main railway station and got off at stop P+R Étoile. From there it was about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the ground.

This season Servette have appointed ex-Stockport, Wimbledon and Wolves winger Kevin Cooper as their new sporting director/coach.

It was a slow burner of a game but once it got going it was a decent watch. The spark that lit proceedings was Servette hitting the upright after 30 minutes. Ironically though it was Winterthur who went on to have the best opportunties before and after the break but they couldn't hit the target.

Servette had a couple of moments, most notably Alexandre Pasche missing from two inches out after a header had come back off the post. No goals but a fair result.

All that was left was to head back into town on the tram and find a bar (which I did - Les Brasseurs) to reflect on another European nil-nil.

The FC Winterthur following