FC Zürich

FC Zurich ( FCZ abbreviated ) is a football club from the city of Zurich. The club colors are blue and white since 1909 ( previously red and white). It was founded on 1 August 1896 by former members of the three local clubs FC Turicum, Excelsior FC and FC Viktoria and is one of the oldest and most traditional sports clubs in Switzerland.

The first team plays in the Axpo Super League and won the championship so far twelve times and seven times the Swiss Cup. International was able to celebrate successes in 1964 and 1977, when they came up in the semi-finals of the European Cup of Champions.

The home games wearing the first football team of FC Zurich since 2007 in the converted Letzigrund. FCZ has a large junior section. The Under-21 team plays in the first league Promotion ( third-highest division) and thus in the highest possible for her league.

• 2.1 squads of the First Team 2.1.1 Goal
• 2.1.2 Defence
• 2.1.3 Midfield
• 2.1.4 attack

• 6.1 Championship
• 6.2 Cup
• 6.3 International success

• 9.1 Grasshopper Club Zurich
• 9.2 FC Basel

History

1896-1924: The founding

The FC Zurich was originally from the FC Turicum ( Turicum is the Roman name of the city of Zurich ). Once this merged with FC, Excelsior was founded FC Zurich on August 1, 1896. A little later, the members of FC Viktoria joined the Confederation. The first two championship titles ( in 1902 and 1924 ) have been implemented at this time.

Until the 1930s, the FC Zurich, etc., was also involved in other sports such as rowing, boxing, athletics, handball. Later then the sports activity focused solely on football, where even the biggest success so far could be celebrated.

1925-1960: descents and ascents

1934, 1946 and 1957 was followed by descents in the National League B in 1941, 1948 and 1958 climbs in the National League A.

1960-1981: The Golden Years

Under the FCZ - President Edwin Naegeli and with players like Klaus Stürmer, Jakob Kuhn, Fritz Künzli, Ilija Katic, René Botteron and many more FCZ experienced its golden years. No less than seven league titles and five Cuptitel took the FC Zurich at this time. European successes following are to be noted; In 1964 in the European Champions Cup was retrieved prior to the semi-final against Real Madrid. 1977 it failed again in the semifinals, this time against Liverpool.

In these years, the FCZ placed again in the midfield and had at the end of the 1988 season relegated to the National League B, the rise in the National League A followed in the season 1989 /1990. European one could celebrate the end of 1998 a small success, as in the UEFA Cup managed FCZ to the 1/8-Finals and was only stopped there by AS Roma. Two cup victories were at this time the only yield to national titles ( in 2000 and 2005).

2005 to present: Return to success

On 13 May 2006, the FC Zurich away won the last season game against FC Basel thanks to a goal in the 93rd minute by Iulian Filipescu 2-1 and secured so, after 25 years of drought, the 10th league title and thus the first golden champion star.

In the season 2006/ 07 the FCZ won 11 league titles also in the final round and again against FC Basel, but this time at a distance duel.

At the end of this season, there was a break in the club. Coach Lucien Favre joined together with assistant coach Harald Gämperle and the players Raphael and Steve von Bergen to Hertha BSC Berlin. In addition, service providers like Gökhan Inler ( Udinese Calcio to ), Blerim Džemaili ( to Bolton Wanderers ) and Xavier Margairaz ( to CA Osasuna, from 2009 to 2012 again at FC Zurich ) were sold.

As the successor Bernard Challandes was committed. Under the new coach of FC Zurich showed until December 2007 good games, but had setbacks over again afterwards. FCZ could no longer play for the title and had to settle for the third final rank. He lost the final to champions Basel 18 points.

FCZ played in the 2007/ 08 season on the international stage. In the third and final qualifying round of the Champions League, was eliminated by Beşiktaş Istanbul, then played but in the UEFA Cup on. There FCZ met in the first round against FC Empoli. After a 1:2 away defeat could Letzigrund win the second game 3-0 and move into the group stage. After victories against Sparta Prague ( 2-1) and FC Toulouse ( 2-0), they lost against Spartak (0:1 ) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen ( 0:5 ). FCZ qualified for the sixteenth finals. There FCZ was eliminated by Hamburger SV (1:3 and 0:0).

In the 2008 /09 season of FCZ was, thanks to a 1-0 victory against AC Bellinzona and the simultaneous defeat of rivals FC Basel at Grasshopper-Club (1:4), in the second last round of the twelfth time Swiss champion.

In the 2009/10 season, FCZ was after the NK Maribor and FK Ventspils were defeated in the qualifiers, qualify for the first time in club history for the UEFA Champions League. The group opponents were Real Madrid, AC Milan and Olympique Marseille. Against Real Madrid and Olympique Marseille FCZ lost both games. Against AC Milan they won 1-0 away. Before a home crowd could also scored a points win. Nevertheless, the FC Zurich resigned as Group Last.

In the summer of 2011 you could with a 1-1 and a 1-0 against Standard Liege qualify for the playoffs the Champions League, where they ultimately lost to Bayern Munich. On August 7, 2011, the FC Zurich won the Letzigrund 6-0 against GC, this is the highest Derby victory for the FCZ of all time.

Current squad

First team squad

As of January 9, 2014

Gate

Defense

Midfield

Attack

Coaching staff and Board

Well-known former FCZ player

• Switzerland Almen Abdi (1994-2009)
• France Alexandre Alphonse (2005-2012)
• Switzerland Walter Bosshard (1934-1954)
• Switzerland René Botteron (1973-1980)
• Switzerland Pierre -Albert Chapuisat (1976-1979)
• Brazil Clederson César de Souza (2003-2007)
• Switzerland Frédéric Chassot (1998-2002)
• Brazil Raphael de Araújo (2005-2007)
• Italy Roberto Di Matteo (1991-1992)
• Sweden Dusan Djuric (2008-2011)
• Switzerland Croatia Josip Drmic (2011-2013)
• Blerim Džemaili Switzerland (2001-2007)
• Switzerland Ruedi Elsener (1979-1984)
• Romania Iulian Filipescu (2004-2006)
• Switzerland Urs Fischer (1973-1987, 1995-2003)

• Switzerland Hans Gamper (1896-1897)
• Switzerland Karl Grob (1967-1987)
• Switzerland Daniel Gygax (1998-2001, 2002-2005)
• Switzerland Willy Huber (1943-1944)
• Switzerland Gökhan Inler (2006-2007)
• Italy Luca Iodice (1997-1999, 2002-2004)
• Switzerland Daniel Jeandupeux (1971-1975)
• Croatia Jurica Jerkovic (1978-1985)
• Guinea Alhassane Keita (2001-2006)
• Switzerland Jakob Kuhn (1961-1977)
• Switzerland Fritz Künzli (1964-1973)
• Switzerland Johnny Leoni (2003-2012)
• Switzerland Max Litscher (1945-1950)
• Switzerland Heinz Lüdi (1977-1988)
• Switzerland Ludovic Magnin (2010-2012)
• Switzerland Admir Mehmedi (2007-2011)

• Switzerland Severino Minelli (1943-1946)
• Switzerland Adrian Nikci (2007-2012)
• Democratic Republic of Congo Shabani Nonda (1996-1998)
• Switzerland Marco Pascolo (1998-2002)
• Romania Marcel Răducanu (1988-1991)
• Switzerland Ricardo Rodríguez (2002-2012)
• New Zealand Wynton Rufer (1982-1986)
• Nigeria Ike Shorunmu (1996-1999)
• Switzerland Florian Stahel (2004-2011)
• Germany Klaus Stürmer (1962-1964, 1965-1967)
• Finland Hannu Tihinen (2006-2010)
• Germany Herbert Waas (1992-1994)
• Nigeria Rashidi Yekini (1997-1998)
• Switzerland Gianpietro Zappa (1977-1984)

Coach

Club president

Achievements and titles

Championship

• Swiss Champion (12 ): 1902, 1924, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 2006, 2007, 2009

Cup

• Swiss Cup Winner ( 7): 1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1976, 2000, 2005
• Swiss Cupfinalist ( 1): 1981
• Swiss Ligacupsieger ( 1): 1981

International success

• Semifinal in the European Champions Cup in 1964 and 1977
• Champions League appearances: 2009 ( group stage )
• Uhrencup winner: 1976, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2006

All time standings

The FC Zurich is currently on the 5th place of the eternal table of Super League.

Stadium

The home ground of FC Zurich is the Letzigrund with a capacity of 26,500 spectators. From summer 2006 to summer 2007, this stadium was rebuilt for the 2008 European Football Championship. During this time, the FC Zurich wore their home games at Hardturmstraße of which at this time still the home of arch-rivals Grasshopper Club Zurich was. Since the conversion also plays the Grasshopper-Club in Letzigrund because the Hardturmstraße was demolished and a new building is planned.

The new Letzigrund was officially inaugurated on 30 August 2007. Just one week later was carried out with the athletics meeting world-class Zurich the first major event in the new stadium. The first football game in the new Leitz base took place on 23 September. The FC Zurich played against neighboring Grasshopper-Club. The first goal in the new stadium marked after 37 seconds Yassine Chikhaoui from FC Zurich. At the end of the hosts won the game 4-0. The last Derby in the old stadium had on 30 April 2006 also decided 2-0 of FCZ for themselves.

On September 22, 2013 Zurich voters approved of the new stadium from (pure football stadium with 16,000 seats ). 2015, the groundbreaking ceremony had been planned and start of the season 2017/2018, the new stadium would have to be opened. In this stadium and the city rivals Grasshoppers Zurich Club would have played. This new stadium was rejected by the voters of the city of Zurich with 50.8 %, therefore a new stadium for FC Zurich in the near future in sight.

Rivalries

Grasshopper Club Zurich

Since its establishment, the FC Zurich fights with the neighborhood club Grasshopper Club Zurich to sporting supremacy in the city. During the Grasshopper-Club this club is considered the upper class, is liable to the FC Zurich at the image of the workers' clubs. The encounters between the two clubs, the Zurich derby, currently provide the only real derby in the Swiss Super League.

FC Basel

The rivalry between FC Zurich and FC Basel is regarded as one of the largest in the Swiss club football. Especially the rivalry between the fans of both clubs, often degenerates into riots and fights.

The meetings of the two clubs ended up in the last few years rather in favor of FC Basel. However, the FC Zurich could decide one of the most important games for themselves. He won on 13 May 2006, thanks to a goal from Iulian Filipescu in the 93rd minute, the match at the St. Jakob Park 2-1, thus securing their first league title in 25 years. After another victory on 26 November 2006, the FC Zurich could not win against FC Basel until 13 August 2011.

FC Zurich in Europe

• Q = Qualifying Round
• 1R = first round
• 2R = second round
• 3R = 3rd Round
• P = Play-off
• G = group stage
• 1/8 = 1/8 Final
• 1/4 = quarter-final
• 1/2 = semi-final

Patrons associations

The FC Zurich is supported by several patrons associations. Specifically, these are:

• Supporter Association
• FCZ 1000 Club
• 50s Club
• FCZ Business Club

Supporter Association

The Supporters Association was founded in 1960. It not only maintains contacts on both business and personal level among its members, but also supports the interests of FC Zurich. The annual fee for the supporters association is CHF 3000. - The Supporter association has its own local club. In the old Letzigrund this was the meeting place of the supporter. The supporter in addition to the matches of FC Zurich other activities such as the notorious supporter ball and various other exclusive and interesting excursions. The members of the union supporters sat in the old Letzigrund on the West Stand.

FCZ 1000 Club

FCZ Founded in 1995, 1000 Club maintains also its social network through the matches of FC Zurich and creates a platform for private and business activities, respektiv partnerships. But the main goal is to support the FC Zurich, in particular its youth department and the achievement of 1,000 members. The members of the FCZ 1000 Club sat in the old Letzigrund on the east stand and they had in the old Letzigrund right to attend the local supporters of Supporter Association. The activities of the Games of the FCZ also include internal events such as outings, exclusive talk shows with celebrities, galas, aperitifs, etc. FCZ 1000 Club had a big increase in young fans who were willing to spend a little more money for the club. The annual subscription was up in 2006 CHF 1000th At the 2006 AGM it was decided due to the new Letzigrund and associated due to the higher cost (expensive stadium rent) to increase the amount provisionally members to CHF 1'300. 2007 were more facts regarding the Letzigrund Stadium available. Especially the massively expensive stadium lease of Letzigrundes forced the FCZ, the cost to the viewers and patrons associations shift. So also the 1000 Club was affected. The 1000 club was forced to the membership fee of 1500 francs to increase. At the same time the board of FC Zurich took the 1000 club away many advantages. Thus, the 1000 Club is no longer tolerated in the local supporter. Also 1000 Club members can no longer free to Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League qualifiers. The reaction of the 1000 Club is a private club restaurant in the titanium - covered parking by the Letzigrund. However, since the stadium may not leave during the game ( ex. during the break ), this is 1000s by many (former) club members as a solution not accepted. Because of the poor value for money, many members have left the 1000 Club again.

50s Club

1988, the FCZ 50 Club was founded. This association provides patrons besides the common interests of the FCZ - private and business similarities of its members in the foreground. FCZ 50s Club promotes the footballing needs of the FCZ and provides the FCZ also players in the squad FC Zurich. The Junior Division is a major concern to the FCZ 50s Club. Of the FCZ made ​​available to the player, the net sale proceeds will be reinvested in full in the FCZ. The 50 Club had its own club place in the old Letzigrund grandstand. The number of members (as of 2003) is 53 and is limited to 59.

FCZ - Business Club

FCZ - Business Club is the second youngest patrons Association of FCZ and has set itself the goal to introduce the club back to the glorious old days. This he wants to achieve spiritual and financial support of the FC Zurich. It also serves the maintenance and promotion of the relations of its members with each other. The foundation was in the spring of 2004. In the old Letzigrund the home of the Business Club was a lounge in West grandstands tract. Time, it has also a FCZ Business Club tent, situated in the corner of the West Stand / South Stand.

Fan clubs

FCZ is supported by five official fan clubs. These are the fan club Letzi, the Tigers Fan Club, Fan Club of 1896, the fan club Solothurn region as well as the fan club Letzi Junxx.

Youth department and youth development

The FC Zurich has a large junior section, under the name of FCZ - runs Academy. This division also includes the U13A, U13B, U14, U15, U16, U18 and U21 teams. In addition, the FC Zurich has been working for more than five years on the project LetziKids. The project is intended for children between the eighth and twelfth year. The well-developed youth department also regularly brings youth players into the first team in Zurich, so among other things Florian Stahel, Almen Abdi and Adrian Nikci.

The U21 team of FC Zurich plays in the highest possible for them first league promotion.

The partnership between FC Zurich and the Women's Football Club Zurich Seebach has been emphasized by the customized club name in the summer of 2008. The Swiss Football Association confirmed the name change from FFC Zurich Seebach to FC Zurich women.

Those responsible in Muri bei Bern thus approved the proposal of the FFC Zurich Seebach, starting from the season 2008/2009 women to contest the championships of all women's and junior teams as FC Zurich. The E- and D- juniors are integrated into the FC Zurich at the FCZ LetziKids.

Media

FCZ - TV

Since July 2006, the FC Zurich has its own mission, which is realized by a five -member team led by presenter Nick Laederach, produced and broadcast on the club's website. Since the change of the transmission concept in June 2009 will be broadcast exclusively short, daily posts.

Up to this time, 30-minute broadcast produced, which was shown on the local TV station Tele Zuri, was discontinued. Has also waived the Radiating TV reports on private television stations since the association is thus able to show scenes increased.

The program was originally launched to the fans to give a deep insight into the life of the club FC Zurich.

Sponsors and investors

Since the 2013/14 season Netstream is the main sponsor of FC Zurich. As the main sponsor of the FCZ Netstream AG supports both the first team and all teams of youth department FCZ Academy.

Other sponsors include the advertising agency HESSKISSSULZERSUTTER, the printed matter manufacturers FAIR PRINT or operator of Nike. Nike equips both the assets of the FCZ and the FCZ Academy and the LetziKids with sports clothing, sports shoes and equipment.