FC Zurich through to Champions League
With a second win over Ventspils, FC Zurich have qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time in the club's history.
After a 3-0 away victory earlier this month, the Swiss champions followed up with a 2-1 home win against the Latvian side on Tuesday night.
In mid-September FC Zurich will make their debut on the grand stage of the European Champions League, football’s most prestigious club competition. Who they will meet will be decided on Thursday in Monaco.
Johan Vonlanthen scored the first goal for Zurich six minutes into the game, which took place in St Gallen’s AFG Arena because Zurich’s home ground Letzigrund is occupied for the athletics Weltklasse meet.
The lead didn’t last long though as Igor Tigirlas equalised two minutes later for Ventspils, three-time Latvian champions.
The home team had to wait until extra time for substitute Almen Abdi to deliver the winning goal with a header.
FC Zurich are the fourth Swiss club after Grasshoppers, FC Basel and FC Thun to make it through to the Champions League group stage.
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