- In game 7 of the Swiss League semi-final series between Olten and the GCK Lions, the Zurich team won 5-4 away.
- Joel Henry is the match winner for Zurich with his hat trick in the final third, scoring 2 of the 3 goals within 11 (!) seconds.
- Since neither of the two finalists, La-Chaux-de-Fonds and GCK Lions, is allowed to advance, there is no playout in the National League. Ajoie and Kloten stay in class.
Suddenly it was as quiet as a mouse in the Oltner Kleinholz: Joel Henry had put the guests from Zurich back in the lead in the 44th minute. Just 11 seconds later, the stadium was finally in a state of shock. As soon as the disc was released again after the 2:3, Olten goalie Dominic Nyffeler lost it behind the goal to Jarno Kärki, who served Henry. This made it 4:2 for the guests.
The final third started to the liking of most of the 4,322 fans in the woodwork, as Dominic Weder equalized to make it 2-2 for Olten shortly after the second break (42nd). He skilfully tricked Lions goalie Lorin Grüter with a body deception, pushed the ball into the empty goal with his backhand and caused euphoria among the supporters.
Early setback for Olten
From Oltner’s point of view, the game had started very poorly; the guests celebrated for the first time in the 8th minute, Livio Truog overcame Nyffeler from a tight angle over his shoulder. Around 40 seconds later it was already 2-0 for the GCK Lions. During the first break, Olten coach Gary Sheehan found the right words, the “power mice” lived up to their name in the middle third and played the guests against the wall.
Despite a shooting ratio of 16:3 for the hosts, only Luca de Nisco scored in Grüter’s goal in the middle third. Weder’s 2:2 at the start of the third period was the logical consequence of the home team’s dominant phase, which came to an abrupt end with Henry’s goals in the 44th minute.
Legend: Long faces The people of Oltner were very disappointed about missing out on the finals. Freshfocus/Marc Schumacher
Hattrick-Held Henry
With his double pack, Henry set the course for victory and thus a place in the final for the GCK Lions. But Olten was not yet defeated, Andri Spiller brought hope back again (52nd). Only 3 minutes later the bell rang again behind Nyffeler, Henry completed his hat trick in the 3rd third after Olten’s disastrous defense.
The Dreitannenstadt team went on the final offensive, but the 4:5 in the 60th minute came too late. The final match of the Swiss League has now been decided: La-Chaux-de-Fonds will compete against the GCK Lions. Something else is also clear: Since none of the finalists are allowed to be promoted, no one will be relegated from the National League. Ajoie and Kloten will remain first-class next season and will not have to play a playout series; they will go on vacation.