31.08.08 : Servette HC – HC Olten
Servette opened the 08/09 season with their first match against Olten. It was a very hot afternoon at Stade au Richemont, where Servette presented themselves in their smart new strip. From the offset Servette were on top of the Olten side, which had brought a total squad of eleven players. Olten set up defensively playing half court, when defending the ball & relieving the ball from the back through long aerial balls.
Servette controlled the first half very well. The team focused on maintaining possession building up some good attacks with some well connected passing moves. The first chance fell to Ian Roberts, playing his first league game in a Servette strip. After some nice individual skill Ian found space in the D but was unable to direct his reverse stick shot on target.
Throughout the first half, chances were few and far between. The next real opportunity was Servette’s first penalty corner. Ian tried to open the deadlock with a drag flick from the top of the circle but it just flew past the lefthand post. Shortly afterwards Servette were awarded another penalty corner, which lead to their first goal. Pascal Zimmerman struck the ball home when he directed a bouncing strike from the top of the circle onto the bottom left of the target.