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FC Zürich

FC Zürich

Fussballclub Zürich, commonly abbreviated to FC Zürich or simply FCZ, is a Swiss football men's club based in the city of Zürich in the Super League, the top tier in its league. The club was founded in 1896 and has won the Swiss Super League 12 times and the Swiss Cup 10 times. The club won the 2009 Swiss Super League and last won the Swiss Cup in 2018. Their home games are played at the Letzigrund in Zürich, which seats 25,000 spectators. For the women's team see FC Zürich Frauen.

Zürich
Full nameFussballclub Zürich
Nickname(s)FCZ/Stadtclub
Founded1 August 1896 (1896-08-01)
GroundLetzigrund, Zürich
Capacity26,104
ChairmanAncillo Canepa
ManagerLudovic Magnin
LeagueSuper League
2018–19Super League, 7th
WebsiteClub website [13]
Home colours
Away colours

History

1896–1924

Drinking-horn made by FC Zürich for its first ever game on 30 August 1896

Drinking-horn made by FC Zürich for its first ever game on 30 August 1896

The club was founded in summer 1896 by former members of the two local clubs FC Turicum and FC Excelsior. Later, the official founding date was set at 1 August 1896. One of the founding members was the later FC Barcelona founder, Joan Gamper, coaching and playing for FC Excelsior and its successor from 1894 to 1897.[1] The new club played its first game on 30 August 1896 on Velorennbahn Hardau in Zürich against FC Phönix St. Gallen with a 3:3 draw.[2] In 1898, FC Excelsior completely merged with FC Zürich and local club FC Victoria joined shortly thereafter.

The debut game was in 1896 with the colors blue and white.[3] The colors where changed to red and white; rivals Grasshopper Club Zürich had the same colors. When Grasshopper Club temporarily retired from the championship in 1909, FCZ returned to the colors blue and white which they continue to use.[4] Zürich won its first title in the Swiss Serie A in 1901–02, but did not win it again until 1923–24.

Until the 1930s, the club's sporting remit included rowing, boxing, athletics, and handball, but football would become the focus of the club.

1925–1960

Chart of FC Zürich table positions in the Swiss football league system

Chart of FC Zürich table positions in the Swiss football league system

From 1925 to 1960, Zürich struggled to overcome an unsuccessful record and was described as the "wilderness years". They were relegated in 1933–34, playing in the 1. Liga to the 1941 season. In 1940–41, they returned to the Nationalliga, where they stayed until their relegation in 1945–46. They were back in the Nationalliga A in 1947–48 and stayed in the top flight until relegated in 1956–57. They were promoted from the Nationalliga B to contest the 1958–59 Nationalliga A, finishing in third place.

1960–1981

This period was known as the "Golden Years" by the FCZ faithful. At this time, the club was run by the legendary President Edwin Nägeli and had players such as Köbi Kuhn, Fritz Künzli, Ilija Katić, René Botteron, and many more. Zürich won seven championships in the years 1963, 1966, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1981. They also won the Swiss Cup five times in 1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, and in 1976. FCZ also had some success in Europe getting to the semi-finals of the European Cup 1963–64, before losing to Real Madrid and also reaching the semi-finals in the European Cup 1976–77, where they lost to Liverpool.

1981–2005

Following the club's league title in 1981, the club went into a decline and in 1988 they were relegated to the Nationalliga B. Zürich returned to the top league in 1990. The club did make it to last 16 of the UEFA Cup 1998–99, but were beaten by Roma. The club won the Swiss Cup in 2000, beating Lausanne in the final and also in 2005 beating Luzern.

2006–2016

SeasonRankLeagueØ Attendance[5][6]
20061/10SL10,008
20071/10SL10,870
20083/10SL12,186
20091/10SL9,829
20107/10SL10,700
20112/10SL11,750
20126/10SL10,511
20134/10SL10,741
20145/10SL9,564
20153/10SL9,389
201610/10SL8,701
20171/10CL9,702
20184/10SL10,726
20197/10SL10,660

On 13 May 2006, FCZ ended their 25 years effort to win Super League with a goal in the 93rd minute by Iulian Filipescu against FC Basel. The goal gave FCZ a 2 – 1 victory based on goal difference. They sustained the league title In 2006–07.

In 2008 the local women's team FFC Zürich Seebach was combined with FC Zürich and would play under the name FC Zürich Frauen in the Swiss national league. FC Zürich Frauen is Swiss record champion and 2nd in the alltime table only behind FFC Bern.

In the 2007–08 season, FCZ (men's team) finished in third place. In a 2008–09 season match, they edged pass BSC Young Boys to win the league title. In 2009, they made their debut play for the group-stage of the UEFA Champions League. In the 2010–11 season FCZ finished second. The following seasons they finished mostly in mid-table positions. FCZ won the Swiss Cup 2014 in extra time against FC Basel 2 to 0.

In the 2015–16 season the club finished last, one point behind FC Lugano and was relegated to the Swiss Challenge League. Four days after the final game of the season FCZ won the Swiss Cup 2016 beating FC Lugano 1 to 0.

Recent years

In the 2016–17 season FC Zürich won the Challenge League ahead of Neuchâtel Xamax and returned after one year to the Super League. In the 2017–2018 season they finished 4th. On 27 May 2018 they won the Swiss Cup for the tenth time, beating BSC Young Boys 2:1.

Honours

  • Swiss Super League Winners (12): 1901–02, 1923–24, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1980–81, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09

  • Swiss Cup Winners (10): 1965–66, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18

  • Swiss League Cup Winners (1): 1980–81

  • European Champions Cup (UEFA Champions League) Semi-finalists (2): 1963–64, 1976–77

  • Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy Fourth place: 1911

Rivalries

Letzigrund

Letzigrund

Grasshopper, also from Zürich, and FC Basel are the main rivals of FCZ. Due to the intense rivalry, these matches are so-called high-risk fixtures, with an increased police presence in and around the stadium.

Zürich

Since its inception, FCZ has always had a fiery relationship with neighbouring club Grasshopper over sporting supremacy in the city. Grasshoppers are known as the club of the elite and FCZ are known as the club of the workers. This fixture is known as the only true major local derby in Swiss professional football.

Final vs. FC Basel, 13 May 2006

Before the last round of the 2005–06 Swiss Super League, Zürich were three points behind FC Basel in the league table. The last game of the season was contested by these two clubs vying for the league title at St. Jakob Park, Basel. Alhassane Keita scored the match first goal, for Zürich. In the second half, Mladen Petrić equalised. FC Basel were seconds away from the title when in the 93rd minute, Florian Stahel passed the ball to Iulian Filipescu, who scored. Zürich's success at 2 – 1 was attributed to their superior goal difference. Following the final whistle, Basel supporters stormed the pitch and attacked players on both teams (SEE:2006 Basel Hooligan Incident).

Players

Current squad

As of 3 September 2019

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.PositionPlayer
1LatviaGKAndris Vaņins
3BrazilDFNathan
4SwitzerlandDFBecir Omeragic
5Georgia (country)DFLevan Kharabadze(on loan from FC Dinamo Tbilisi)
6SloveniaMFDenis Popović
7SwitzerlandMFAdrian Winter
8SwitzerlandMFVasilije Janjičić
9The GambiaFWAssan Ceesay
10SwitzerlandMFAntonio Marchesano
13The GambiaDFPa Modou Jagne
14SwitzerlandMFToni Domgjoni
15NigeriaFWTosin Aiyegun
17Sierra LeoneDFUmaru Bangura
18SloveniaFWBlaž Kramer
No.PositionPlayer
21SwitzerlandMFIzer Aliu
22SwitzerlandMFKevin Rüegg
23MoroccoFWMimoun Mahi
25SwitzerlandGKYanick Brecher
27SwitzerlandMFMarco Schönbächler
31KosovoDFMirlind Kryeziu
34SwitzerlandDFIlan Sauter
35SwitzerlandMFSimon Sohm
40AustriaGKOsman Hadžikić
41SwitzerlandMFLavdim Zumberi
50SwitzerlandFWYann Kasaï
70KosovoMFBenjamin Kololli
71KosovoMFHekuran Kryeziu
77Ivory CoastDFWillie Britto

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.PositionPlayer
SwitzerlandMFMaren Haile-Selassie(at Neuchâtel Xamax until 30 June 2020)
SwitzerlandDFAlbin Sadrijaj(at SC Kriens until 31 December 2019)
SwitzerlandMFFabian Rohner(at FC Wil until 30 June 2020)
No.PositionPlayer
94TunisiaMFSalim Khelifi(at Holstein Kiel until 30 June 2020)
SwitzerlandMFBledian Krasniqi(at FC Wil until 30 June 2020)
SwitzerlandDFLindrit Kamberi(at FC Wil until 30 June 2020)

Reserve squad/Zürich II

The Zürich II/U21 team plays in the Swiss Promotion League. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.PositionPlayer
PhilippinesGKNovem Baumann
SwitzerlandGKNico Feusi
SwitzerlandGKSerkan Polat
PhilippinesDFMichael Kempter
PortugalDFJosé Gonçalves
SwitzerlandDFKenith Catari
SwitzerlandDFBasil Erne
SwitzerlandDFFilip Frei
SwitzerlandDFAlain Fuchs
SwitzerlandDFJahaim Kissling
CroatiaDFKristian Luburic
No.PositionPlayer
SwitzerlandDFEnit Sadiku
SwitzerlandMFLavdrim Rexhepi
SwitzerlandMFStephan Seiler
SwitzerlandMFSoheil Arghandewall
SwitzerlandMFArlind Dakaj
SwitzerlandMFLuka Frei
SwitzerlandMFMarvin Graf
SwitzerlandFWMatteo Di Giusto
SwitzerlandFWJunior Eyamba
SwitzerlandFWHenri Koide
ArgentinaFWNicolás Andereggen

Notable former players

Players and managers admitted to the FC Zurich Hall of Fame

source:[7]

Players for the Swiss national football team

Players with World Cup appearances for their national teams

Player records

source appearances:[8]

source scorers:[9]

Managers

FC Zürich in Europe

SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate
1963–64European CupPRRepublic of IrelandDundalk1–23–04–2
1RTurkeyGalatasaray2–00–22–2
QFNetherlandsPSV3–10–13–2
SFSpainReal Madrid1–20–61–8
1966–67European Cup1RScotlandCeltic0–30–20–5
1967–68Inter-Cities Fairs Cup1RSpainBarcelona3–10–13–2
2REnglandNottingham Forest1–01–22–2(a)
3RPortugalSporting CP3–00–13–1
QFScotlandDundee0–10–10–2
1968–69European Cup1RDenmarkAB1–31–22–5
1969–70Inter-Cities Fairs Cup1RScotlandKilmarnock3–21–34–5
1970–71European Cup Winners' Cup1RIcelandKnattspyrnufélag Akureyrar7–07–114–1
2RBelgiumClub Brugge3–20–23–4
1972–73European Cup Winners' Cup1RWalesWrexham1–11–22–3
1973–74European Cup Winners' Cup1RBelgiumAnderlecht1–02–33–3(a)
2RSwedenMalmö FF0–01–11–1(a)
QFPortugalSporting CP1–10–31–4
1974–75European Cup1REnglandLeeds United2–11–43–5
1975–76European Cup1RHungaryÚjpest5–10–45–5(a)
1976–77European Cup1RScotlandRangers1–01–12–1
2RFinlandTurun Palloseura2–01–03–0
QFEast GermanyDynamo Dresden2–12–34–4(a)
SFEnglandLiverpool1–30–31–6
1977–78UEFA Cup1RBulgariaCSKA Sofia1–01–12–1
2RGermanyEintracht Frankfurt3–40–33–7
1979–80UEFA Cup1RGermanyKaiserslautern1–31–52–8
1981–82European Cup1REast GermanyDynamo Berlin3–10–23–3(a)
1982–83UEFA Cup1RCyprusPezoporikos Larnaca1–02–23–2
2RHungaryFerencváros1–01–12–1
3RPortugalBenfica1–10–41–5
1983–84UEFA Cup1RBelgiumAntwerp2–41–43–8
1998–99UEFA Cup2QRUkraineShakhtar Donetsk4–02–36–3
1RCyprusAnorthosis Famagusta4–03–27–2
2RScotlandCeltic4–21–15–3
3RItalyRoma2–20–12–3
1999–00UEFA CupQRMaltaSliema Wanderers1–03–04–0
1RBelgiumLierse4–31–05–3
2REnglandNewcastle United1–21–32–5
2000–01UEFA Cup1RBelgiumGenk1–20–21–4
2005–06UEFA Cup2QRPolandLegia Warsaw4–11–05–1
1RDenmarkBrøndby2–10–22–3
2006–07UEFA Champions League2QRAustriaRed Bull Salzburg2–10–22–3
2007–08UEFA Champions League3QRTurkeyBeşiktaş1–10–21–3
UEFA Cup1RItalyEmpoli3–01–24–2
Group ECzech RepublicSparta PragueN/A2–13rd
FranceToulouse2–0N/A
RussiaSpartak MoscowN/A0–1
GermanyBayer Leverkusen0–5N/A
R32GermanyHamburg1–30–01–3
2008–09UEFA Cup2QRAustriaSturm Graz1–11–12–2 (4–2 p)
1RItalyMilan0–11–31–4
2009–10UEFA Champions League3QRSloveniaMaribor2–33–05–3
POLatviaVentspils2–13–05–1
Group CSpainReal Madrid2–50–14th
ItalyMilan1–11-0
FranceMarseille0–11–6
2011–12UEFA Champions League3QRBelgiumStandard Liège1–01–12–1
POGermanyBayern Munich0–10–20–3
UEFA Europa LeagueGroup DPortugalSporting CP0–20–24th
RomaniaVaslui2–02–2
ItalyLazio1–10–1
2013–14UEFA Europa League3QRCzech RepublicSlovan Liberec1–21–22–4
2014–15UEFA Europa LeaguePOSlovakiaSpartak Trnava1–13–14–2
Group ACyprusApollon Limassol3–12–33rd
GermanyBorussia Mönchengladbach1–10–3
SpainVillareal CF3–21–4
2015–16UEFA Europa League3QRBelarusDinamo Minsk0–11–11–2
2016–17UEFA Europa LeagueGroup LSpainVillareal CF1–11–23rd
RomaniaSteaua București0–01–1
TurkeyOsmanlıspor2–10–2
2018–19UEFA Europa LeagueGroup AGermanyBayer Leverkusen3–20–12nd
BulgariaLudogorets Razgrad1–01–1
CyprusAEK Larnaca1–21–0
R32ItalyNapoli1–30–21–5

References

[1]
Citation Linkfcwinterthur1896.com"Biography on fcwinterthur1896.com". fcwinterthur1896.com. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.fcz.ch"Erinnerung an unser erstes Matsch". fcz.ch. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.fcz.ch"Erinnerung an unser erstes Matsch". fcz.ch. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[4]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgLütscher, Michael (2010). Eine Stadt, ein Verein, eine Geschichte. Verlag Neue Zürcher Zeitung. p. 47. ISBN 9783038236436.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.weltfussball.at"Schweiz » Super League » Zuschauer". weltfussball.at. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.sfl.ch"Zuschauerzahlen Super League". sfl.ch. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.dbfcz.ch"Hall of Fame (Auswahl des FCZ-Museums)". dbfcz.ch. dbfcz. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.dbfcz.ch"Top 10 Einsätze für den FCZ". dbfcz.ch. dbfcz. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.dbfcz.ch"Top 10 Tore für den FCZ". dbfcz.ch. dbfcz. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.fcz.chOfficial Website
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.dbfcz.chFC Zürich stats
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.fczarchiv.chArchive FC Zürich
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.fcz.chClub website
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[14]
Citation Linkfcwinterthur1896.com"Biography on fcwinterthur1896.com"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.fcz.ch"Erinnerung an unser erstes Matsch"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.fcz.ch"Erinnerung an unser erstes Matsch"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.weltfussball.at"Schweiz » Super League » Zuschauer"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.sfl.ch"Zuschauerzahlen Super League"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[19]
Citation Linkwww.dbfcz.ch"Hall of Fame (Auswahl des FCZ-Museums)"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.dbfcz.ch"Top 10 Einsätze für den FCZ"
Oct 1, 2019, 3:20 AM