FC Thun the promoted side eating up the giants in Swiss championship pursuit
In Switzerland a football storybook plot is unfolding as FC Thun recently promoted from the second tier is firmly at the top of the Super League and heading steadily for the championship.
The impressive streak from Thun has seen powerhouses like Young Boys and the previous title holders Basel left far behind.
People are drawing parallels to cases such as promoted Kaiserslautern claiming the Bundesliga in 1998 Leicester City securing the Premier League in 2016 or Mjallby from a coastal hamlet taking the Swedish crown last year.
Transfermarkt values the Thun roster as having the second smallest market worth among the 12 teams in the Swiss Super League at 16 million euros $19 million much less than Young Boys 67 million euros.
Thun earned their way up from the Challenge League in the prior campaign concluding a five year period in Switzerlands secondary level.
Following 22 outings in the elite division Thun hold a nine point advantage over Lugano in second with St Gallen Basel and Sion further back.
They top the goal scoring charts and share the fewest concessions.
Past records support their shot at the prize Swiss broadcaster SRF noted that from the start of the Super League in 2003 04 no side has lost such a position at this point in the campaign.
Key to triumph
Reinforcing their control Thun secured a 2 1 victory away to Basel on Sunday disappointing the 26000 fans at St Jakob Park.
The league crown remains distant said coach Mauro Lustrinelli to SRF post match offering a word of warning.
With 16 fixtures remaining Thun head to Geneva for a clash against faltering Servette on Sunday.
Their base is the modern 10000 seat Stockhorn Arena which features synthetic grass and held three games in last years womens Euros.
Thuns second tier successes in 2009 10 and 2024 25 stand as the clubs greatest achievements since 1898.
Anticipation grows in the Bernese Oberland region for the chance of the national title arriving in Thun a lakeside town of 45000 in the German speaking area marked by its prominent castle.
On the club site Thun president Andres Gerber ex captain and national team player told fans it is tough to pinpoint the key to our prosperity.
Yet a collective mindset combined with a balanced blend of warmth professionalism knowledge finances and especially ongoing stability is vital.
I sense this combination fits perfectly at FC Thun now on field and across the organisation.
Effectiveness and stability
Lustrinelli aged 49 is an icon at Thun offering like Gerber links to the clubs earlier high point.
He netted 20 times for Thun in 2004 05 propelling them to runner up spot in the Super League their finest result until now.
They advanced to the UEFA Champions League group phase ending third behind Arsenal and Ajax yet ahead of Sparta Prague.
The ex national forward who played in the 2006 World Cup assumed the coaching role at Thun in 2022.
Lustrinelli has subtly created a tight group lacking big names crafting a squad that may not control every match but excels in precise execution.
Figures like 31 year old midfielder Leonardo Bertone dubbed a Swiss David Beckham for his appeal and set pieces illustrate the fusion of skill unity and defined strategy.
Achieving back to back second and first division wins has happened just once prior Grasshopper Zurich Switzerlands most successful club did so in 1952.
I have no concerns about us losing focus said midfielder Valmir Matoshi to SRF after his decisive goal at Basel.
We hail from Thun we stay grounded and we are gradually adapting to victory.