It was a busy day of hockey in Geneva (and Mother’s Day) on Sunday – the two Geneva women’s teams were in action earlier in the day with the men’s game being the final contest on the schedule. Following a rather unconvincing performance during a 2-0 win away to Stade Lausanne on Saturday, Servette was now to confront Rotweiss Wettingen. If the brighter weather was anything to go by, it was going to be a better day for Servette!

Just over a week had passed since Servette had beaten Rotweiss Wettingen in the semi-final of the Swiss Cup, 1-0. Neither team could have forgotten that gritty match in Olten in front of thousands of spectators. Rotweiss were undoubtedly devastated by their Cup loss and surely intended to show Servette in front of their home crowd that Servette were "pretenders" to the crown of champions. On the other hand, Servette was determined to prove that the outcome of the Cup weekend in Olten was no accident – it was an opportunity to defend the Cup’s rightful place in Geneva. Without some stalwart players in the line up, it was equally a chance and a necessity for other players to step up and raise their games.

As always the atmosphere was tremendous at the Stade de Richemont. On the pitch, emotions were running high and the mood was tense. Consequently the match got off to a rather careful start – both teams were content to try to hold onto possession and remained hesitant to send many players forward on attack. Despite the fact the pitch was dryer than the Sahara, the game soon gathered some pace and rhythm.

Rotweiss broke the deadlock following a bungled short corner. After miss-trapping the push out, Rotweiss forced through a rather desperate attempt on goal. Despite a sprawled save by Passette, the ball fell to a fortunate Rotweiss striker who happily slapped it into an open goal.

It took the goal to push Servette forward to test the defence of Rotweiss. Space opened up in the mid-field and Servette used their speed advantage to generate several chances which were scrambled clear by Rotweiss. However, Rotweiss succumbed to the pressure and Servette earned its first of two important penalty corners of the first half. Dimitri took advantage of Servette’s own bungled penalty corner and "skilfully" hit the ball into the ground to sneak the ball into the bottom corner of the Rotweiss goal. All even at Stade de Richemont.

The teams traded attempts to break the deadlock but both guarded their circles with the utmost of care and due diligence. Rotweiss adopted the approach of smashing the ball in the hope of a deflection or loose ball but no such error was coming from the Servette defence. Servette tried to use speed and passing to go round the Rotweiss back line. This eventually bore fruit as Servette earned a second penalty corner before half time – a quick push out and Laxman ripped his dragflick passed a stunned keeper and post-man. Servette went into the change room at half time holding a slender 2-1 lead.

With a good watering over the break, the pitch and teams were ready for the second half. There was a clear belief amongst the Servette players that Rotweiss were ripe to be beaten for the second time in eight days! The second half was a demonstration of the current level of commitment and level of fitness of Servette – big tackles at the back had to be made and long balls were delightfully played for the forwards to run on to (big love). Almost against the run of play, a sneaky German stole a loose ball and went in alone on the Servette goal. Notwithstanding the scrambling of Passette and desperate lunges by the Servette defence, the Rotweiss forward volleyed an upright reverse shot into the goal (2-2). So lucky.

As in all big games in sports, when things get nervous, tempers will flare. Servette was unlucky to come out of this period of the game with considerable experience in defending short corners. However, a twist of fate and karma gave Servette the deserved opportunity to go back into the lead. A quickly fed ball from the back combined with a rapid counter attack that overwhelmed the Rotweiss defence, allowed Laxman to streak in alone on the keeper. He was cruelly chopped down, in a manner that can only be described as "agricultural". Servette was duly awarded a penalty stroke. Gaël confidently stepped up and unleashed the stroke into the top corner. Nossa Nossa…!!

With less than 15 minutes to go in the game, it was fairly predictable that the drama was still to come. The team is no stranger to being reduced to nine players and having a stroke being given against them. Regarding the stroke, Passette made a miraculous save which, literally, was deemed too good to be true by the umpire. Passette was still sharp moments later for the penalty stroke and saved it decisively by moving quickly to his left.

Servette survived the late attempts by Rotweiss to draw level as they smashed the ball into the circle repeatedly. An organized defence by all eleven players quashed these vain attempts. Servette even managed a few late chances of their own. The final whistle blew and Servette had once again beaten Rotweiss Wettingen, the once formidable opponent. The win secured for Servette all sixth points from the weekend and the Swiss Cup from the previous weekend was well and truly defended!

Servette HC is currently the most dangerous hockey team in Switzerland.

#dangerous #winning

Stewart Inglis, alias “Todd Swagger”