Football Hollywood-style

What makes a competition such as this thrilling? First of all, it has to include the right rivals. The greater the contrasts, the more emotional the competition for the spectators. It is scarcely possible to remain neutral. You quickly give your support to one side and look forward to the outcome of the contest.

All films about sport tend to deploy this formula too. When Hollywood tells a story, the roles are always clearly defined. A poor boxer from a difficult background fights against a sophisticated machine, a basketball team made up of friends competes against a group of superstars, and a high-spirited football team has to deal with players who cannot kick the ball. Sympathies are determined quickly.

 

This exaggerated film world has little in common with reality. This year’s promotion race in the dieci Challenge League nevertheless offers the kind of stuff from which good films are made. Because with FC Sion and FC Thun, two clubs that are extreme opposites in the league are in a head-to-head fight for direct promotion.

 

FC Sion is one of the greats of Swiss football. Two championship titles and 13 (!) cup wins. There were stars involved in this, from Argentinian world champion Nestor Clausen to Italian legends Gennaro Gattuso and Mario Balotelli. President Christian Constantin likes big appearances and travels to away games in one of his Ferraris or sometimes by helicopter. But FC Sion also stands for a region like no other. It connects the German-speaking people of Upper Valais and the French-speaking people of Lower Valais and is the figurehead of the entire canton, which often feels overlooked. In the time-honoured Tourbillon Stadium, always well attended, you can take in the long history, and the atmosphere is unique within Switzerland. Emotional, impulsive and passionate – that is FC Sion.

 

Then there is FC Thun, a name you will look for in vain on the winners’ boards. For a long time, it did not have a place among the major football teams. When it finally entered these ranks, many fans even in the city preferred to watch their successful neighbour YB. President Andres Gerber never makes a big fuss; spectacular players are not welcome in the Oberland, and certainly not those surrounded by scandal. It is better to rely on modest, decent and reliable players. Many are given a second chance here, but it is even better to rely on your own: eleven (!) players from their own youth team are in the squad, and this is more than anywhere else. There is no padding here, and they work with what they have. Reasonable, modest and likeable – that is FC Thun.

 

The club colours for both clubs are red and white. They are not far from each other, separated by the Lötschberg, and yet they are worlds apart. The fact that Sion and Thun, of all teams, are fighting for the only direct promotion place in the dieci Challenge League, could not have been made up, even by the most resourceful scriptwriters in Hollywood.

 

For the fans this means: having a delicious pizza delivered to your home and watching the exciting season finale. dieci hopes that you enjoy the best of entertainment in the thrilling contest between the giants!