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.

Olten continued to set up defensively and Servette continued to guard their goal well with the defensive doing an excellent job of controlling the aerial balls and ensuring that Olten had no opportunities.

The second half was very much the same as the first half, but it was the superior fitness of Servette that overpowered the Olten side. Servette remained very patient and disciplined, avoiding the temptation to overexpose themselves. Olten continued to sit back, allowing Servette lots of time on the ball. There were a number of great passing moves, with almost the whole Servette team touching the ball, which carved open the Olten defense. Dimitri had a great opportunity to make it 2-0, on front of an open goal, but he did not connect properly with the shot and the ball went wide of the target. However, Servette’s second goal was soon to follow and this time it came through Bertrand Peny with a strike into the bottom corner of the goal.

The third, and final, goal of the game came through Alexis Pierard. Another good Servette passing move, involving man if the match Dimitri Gisin, allowed Ian to shoot on goal. The keeper managed to block the shot but was not equal to the quick reactions of Alexis, who hammered home the rebound with real conviction.

Olten never looked like scoring and did not mange to create any penalty corners or goal scoring opportunities, and the game finished 3-0. A great start to the season for Servette, demonstrating the team desire for a top two finish.

Gordon Ramsay