Switzerland II Division

Switzerland – one change for this season: a new re-organisation of the championship. Going back to the standard formula – two leagues of 16 teams each, no more promotion/relegation tournament. The top 2 of Second Division going up and the last 2 of First Division going down.

The new-old formula affected more the second level than the first – few teams were really aiming promotion, all of them former first division members. Nothing to be done… Switzerland, although financially stable, had no big football following and clubs were thrifty anyway. So more or less FC La Chaux-de-Fonds, CS Chênois , FC Wettingen, and FC Winterthur competed for the two top spots. At the end two teams were clearly stronger than the rest.

FC Wettingen built 4 points lead from CS Chenois, but still was unable to win the league. They finished with 44 points and had the best defensive record, losing only 3 games. Did not matter much – they won promotion.

FC Winterthur clinched the first place with 45 points. Standing from left: Adi Noventa (coach), Urs Kühni, A. Meyer, André Hagenbuch, Sepp Roth, Ota Danek, Adriano Venica, Uwe Rapolder, Manfred Häni, Daniel Haefeli – Paul Kilgus (Teambetreuer).

First row: Manfred Riedlisbacher, Luigi Stomeo, M. Zanelli, Rolf Dünner, Walter Christinger, R. Brunner, Roland Käser, Manuel Lopez, K. Hartmann.

As second division teams go, not a mind-blowing squad. 19 wins, 7 ties, 4 losses and 65-25. A point better than Wettingen and Second Division champions – a trophy is a trophy.

Scotland the Cups

No Celtic at the finals of the cups. Glasgow Rangers, though, had a good chance to get both cups. At the League Cup final they triumphed, beating Dundee United 2-1.

Splendid period for Dundee United, having one of their best ever squads. But, unfortunately, they lost.

Glasgow Rangers was experiencing rather weak period, which was to continue for some time, but this was not a club to lose, no matter in what shape. The League Cup was in their hands, may be the FA Cup just as well…

No luck there – Rangers met rapidly progressing Aberdeen and managed to keep its chances: regular time ended 1-1. But in the overtime Aberdeen destroyed them with 3 unanswered goals. Aberdeen – 4, Rangers – 1.

Aberdeen lost the title, but won the FA Cup, which was great for keeping the momentum. So far, they were 2nd and lost the FA Cup final in 1977-78, 4th in 1978-79, champions and League Cup finalists in 1979-80, 2nd in 1980-81, second and FA Cup winners in 1981-82. It was not just young exciting team by now – the squad was solid and experienced as well, going up and up. And think about the coach, still young and climbing the ladder.

Scotland I Division (continued)

St. Mirren did well this season – 5th with 37 points.

Dundee United – 4th with 40 points.

Glasgow Rangers – out of the championship race, but still too strong for the rest of the league: 3rd with 43 points.

Aberdeen – running strong, but lost the title by 2 points. Second with 53 points.

Celtic added another title. Difficult victory, but theirs after 24 wins, 7 ties, and 5 lost games. 79-33 goal-difference and 55 points.