Thalwil vs FC Zurich

Thalwil made a dream start. Inside two minutes, Ardi Morina converted from close range after a well-worked combination to put the hosts 1-0 up, sending the capacity crowd into raptures.

FC Zürich responded through 17-year-old Din Ramić, who levelled in the 12th minute. The Super League side then had a golden chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute, but Thalwil goalkeeper Noel Baumann produced a fine save low to his left and then held the rebound — a moment that drew the loudest roar of the first half.

Thalwil restored their lead through Kedy Bonsu (38'), only for Chris Kablan to equalise within a minute (39'), and the sides went in level at 2-2 at half-time.

Marcel Koller's FCZ stepped up the tempo after the break. Ramić struck his second of the day (50') and Mattia Rizzo made it 4-2 on the hour, with the second goal coming from a penalty that Thalwil coach Gianni Lavigna considered debatable.

Yet the hosts refused to fold. Kedy Bonsu converted a spot-kick of his own (62') to reduce the deficit, and substitute Flynn Kopp — a new arrival — slammed home a dramatic equaliser in the 68th minute to make it 4-4, sparking wild celebrations along the touchline.

With ten minutes to play, FCZ's individual quality proved decisive. Luka Savić bagged a brace (73', 86') to secure a 6-4 win, the young forward's late double preventing what would have been a famous result for the hosts.

Flynn Kopp's 68th-minute equaliser seemed to have earned Thalwil a deserved draw. But FC Zürich's bench depth — Koller made several second-half changes — shifted the balance. Savić's first goal five minutes later restored the visitors' lead before his second put the game to bed in the 86th minute. In relentless 37°C heat, the gap in fitness and quality between the Super League and 1. Liga Classic eventually told.

Din Ramić (FC Zürich) — The 17-year-old scored a first-half equaliser and the goal that put FCZ ahead for the first time (50'). Composed finishing in a high-tempo friendly.

Luka Savić (FC Zürich) — His late double (73', 86') sealed the win at a moment when Thalwil believed they could hold out. Both finishes were clinical.

Kedy Bonsu (Thalwil) — Two goals (38', 62' pen) and a constant threat on the counter-attack. His penalty kept Thalwil in the game.

Noel Baumann (Thalwil) — The Thalwil goalkeeper's penalty save at 2-1 kept his side in front and was the standout individual moment of the first half.

Player of the match: Din Ramić

Thalwil's official club report described a game where "the class difference between the Super League and 1. Liga Classic was barely visible" in the first half. The scoreboard tells the story: four different Thalwil scorers found the net against a professional defence, and the hosts led twice. FCZ's 2-4 at half-time in Thalwil's xG context matters less than the pattern — Thalwil were level until the 73rd minute. The game produced eleven goals in total (including a missed penalty) and zero cards, reflecting the friendly's sporting atmosphere.

The friendly was the centrepiece of FC Thalwil's brand-new artificial turf pitch inauguration — a landmark day for the club after their promotion to 1. Liga Classic and qualification for the Swiss Cup main round. For FC Zürich, it was the second of two friendlies on the same day, having beaten FC Schaffhausen 3-2 earlier in the morning under Marcel Koller's new management. Both results give Koller, who took over at FCZ in the summer, positive early data on his squad depth.

FC Thalwil's next competitive fixture will be in the 1. Liga Classic when the 2026/27 season begins, while FC Zürich continue their pre-season schedule ahead of the Super League campaign.

A gloriously open pre-season friendly that told us more about Thalwil's spirit than about any gulf in class. The hosts matched a Super League side for 70 minutes and can take genuine belief into their first-ever 1. Liga Classic season. FCZ got a stern workout and two Savić goals to reward Koller's rotation. Easy on the eye, hard on the keeping stats.