The magic of the Cup has once again taken hold of Tourbillon. David triumphed over Goliath. In front of a passionate home crowd, FC Sion beat YB 2-1 to advance to the Swiss Cup semi-finals.

The facts

Some evenings are unforgettable. That Thursday evening in February will undoubtedly be one of them. The match had been anticipated for weeks, months. Tourbillon was packed out for the first time in a long time. The euphoria and enthusiasm of an entire canton was palpable.

On the pitch, that infectious enthusiasm spread to Didier Tholot's men. Diligent, serious and, above all, solid, the Valaisans put in an outstanding performance. The Sédunois quickly got the better of their evening opponents in terms of commitment and tactical application.

Their commitment showed shortly before the twentieth minute. Numa Lavanchy followed up a quickly taken free-kick on the right with a ride of his own. His cross, although slightly deflected, found the right foot of Chouaref. The French striker had no hesitation in opening the scoring and sending the stadium into raptures.

The rest of the first half and the start of the second were a reflection of the match as a whole. Hard-working and enterprising, the home side gave the reigning Swiss champions no chance. Shortly after the hour mark, Dejan Sorgic even doubled the lead, the culmination of a team effort by the home side.

A late Bernese goal made no difference. Buoyed by 14,500 spectators, FC Sion held on. After four minutes of added time, Tholot and his protégés were able to celebrate a deserved qualification. In the semi-finals, they will face FC Lugano in Tourbillon at the end of April. The date is set.

Reactions 

Didier Tholot, FC Sion coach:

"The individual players worked hard for the team. Just like in the league, but at an even higher level. We saw a real team tonight!

"We rose to all the challenges we were presented with. Physically, tactically and simply in terms of the game.

"Before the game, I simply tried to calm things down. The players had to be ready and not play the game in their heads before the match."

"The 12th man pushed us to victory. It's something fantastic in the Valais."

"The semi-final? It'll be tough, Lugano are a good Super League team. But when you beat YB, you have the right to dream.

Compositions

FC Sion - BSC Young-Boys 2-1 (1-0)
Sion, Stade de Tourbillon, 14,500 spectators.
Referees: San; Sbrissa, Heiniger; Drimic.
Goals: 19' Chouaref (1-0), 65' Sorgic (2-0), 81'Ganvoula (2-1)
Warnings: 38' Lavanchy, 45' Hadjam, 48' Bouchlarhem, 70' Ganvoula, 83' Amenda, 87' Von Ballmoos, 88' Lustenberger.
FC Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy, Schmied, Ziegler, Hefti; Bua, Kabacalman; Berdayes, Chouaref (92' Kronig), Bouchlarhem (78' Chipperfield); Sorgic (84' Diouf).
BSC Young Boys: Racioppi; Blum, Camara, Amenda (85' Husic), Hadjam (46' Persson); Monteiro (67' Mvuka), Lauper, Males (77' Colley), Lakomy; Elia, Itten (67' Ganvoula).
Notes: Sion without Itaitinga (injured), Costa (suspended). Young Boys without Ugrinic, Imeri, Benito (injured), Marzino (ill) and Niasse (suspended).
Corners: 6-4 (5-3)

More news

Sion's English week continues. On Sunday, FC Sion host Bellinzona in Tourbillon at 2.15pm. In a completely different context, but in a match that is just as important, the Valaisans need your support to continue their progress in the league!

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