Football: Thrilling draw not enough for GC’s hopes of Europe

A four-all draw away to Yverdon, after being 4-2 down at one stage, was not enough for Grasshoppers Zurich to keep alive their hopes of finishing third in this year's league championship.

The result ensured Basel’s place in the top three, guaranteeing Christian Gross’s side a place in the UEFA cup next season. Lausanne, who will now fight for second place with Basel, made sure of their UEFA cup spot in midweek, just days after Sankt Gallen clinched the Swiss league title.

Having missed out on a top three finish, Grasshoppers must now rely on Lausanne winning Sunday’s cup final against GC’s city rivals, FC Zurich. Because Lausanne have already qualified for Europe their ‘extra’ place, should they beat FC Zurich, would go to the team who finish fourth in the league – which is almost certain to be Grasshoppers.
However, such a back-door entry into Europe would mark a sorry end to the season for the country’s biggest club, which spent fifteen million francs on its squad before the bitter departure former coach, Roy Hodgson.

by Mark Ledsom