All favorites stumble – promotion fight in the Challenge League: what if it stays that way? – Sports


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The current table position in the Challenge League is amazing. Why is that? SRF expert Beni Huggel classifies and has a bold prognosis.

Climbing up from the Challenge League has never been easier – at least mathematically: Because the Super League will be increased from 10 to 12 teams in summer 2023, there will be two direct promoted teams in the second-highest league for once. In addition, the team in 3rd place in a barrage against the last in the Super League can secure a place in the upper house.

Two clubs from the top trio of Winterthur, Aarau and Schaffhausen consoled themselves with this last year. We remember: Before the last match day, everything was possible for all 3 teams, from direct promotion to golden pineapple. Ultimately, Winterthur made the relegation, Schaffhausen got stuck in the barrage, Aarau went completely empty-handed.

Of course, with regard to the new season, that duo was considered the top contender for a place in the elevator next to the financially strong relegated Lausanne. A look at the table, however, reveals something amazing: no prominent team is currently on the rise, the classification is led by “gray mice”.

Legend:

No one at home: The current top trio in the Challenge League…

ranks 7th (Wil), 9th (Yverdon) and 10th (Stade Lausanne-Ouchy) in the spectator table.

SRF

Can Lausanne turn the corner?

“I’m assuming that Lausanne will find its way back to its old strength and play for promotion,” SRF expert Beni Huggel is sure. The relegated team doesn’t have to hit the transfer market, a few adjustments to the strong squad are enough, according to Huggel. “Aarau has had a turbulent time with the change of coach. Like Schaffhausen, I see them higher up at the end of the season.” The same applies to FC Vaduz, who recently had to suffer from the double burden of appearances in the Conference League.

And who is going up now? At least half of the time, Huggel makes a daring prognosis: In addition to Lausanne-Sport, FC Wil can also qualify directly for the Super League.

In terms of unpredictability and balance, the current interim result at the end of the season would be positive. But the case is different when it comes to attractiveness: the increase from 10 to 12 teams should ensure more variety in the Super League – and in the best case scenario, further increase the number of spectators. With Wil, Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy and Yverdon, there is a trio at the top that could hardly keep this promise.

An average of 1200 fans make the pilgrimage to the games in Wiler Bergholz. The table neighbors from Vaud have even fewer: The Lausanne-Ouchy district club brings up the rear in terms of admissions with 1025 spectators per game, with Yverdon there are 1051 after 8 home games. The “big” Lausanne with its new Stade de la would be accordingly Tuilière, Aarau, Xamax or Thun are more welcome guests in the Super League.

Question marks behind SLO and Yverdon

It is hardly conceivable that the hierarchy of the Challenge League will not change until spring 2023. There are many reasons for this: there is Lausanne-Sport, for example, whose financially strong sponsors are unlikely to be interested in continuing to see the Nice “farm team” only in the second division.

There are also other reasons in Vaud: Stade Lausanne-Ouchy would actually even be a sensational leader. However, “SLO” was deducted 3 points, it’s about missed deadlines for certificates of wages and social security contributions. Rarely a good sign. Yverdon, on the other hand – pretty much the only team before the season that didn’t aim for promotion – doesn’t seem to have the structure and finances to master a Super League adventure. For both clubs, obtaining the necessary license II is questionable.

So there is a good chance that the current table is just a snapshot. But as the saying goes, miracles always happen. And in the end, the points collected and not the tickets sold decide who you belong to in the league. Huggel also emphasizes this: “In our Central European system with sporting promotion as a factor, you shouldn’t complain when a team that doesn’t bring a lot of fans with it is promoted.”

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