Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply
GC,
GCZ, or
Grasshopper is a
SwissSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
multisports clubA sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
based in
ZürichZurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team. With 27 titles, Grasshopper-Club Zürich holds the record for winning the most
national championshipThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
titles and with 18 victories also the one for the most successes in the Swiss Cup tournament. The club is the oldest football team in
ZürichZurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
.
The origins of Grasshopper's name is unknown, although the most common explanation is rooted in its early players' energetic post-goal celebrations.
After a number of appearances in
European CupsThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and the
UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, Grasshopper has become one of Switzerland's most recognizable football clubs. Today, in addition to its marquee football squad, Grasshopper-Club Zürich maintains competitive professional and youth teams for
rowingRowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
,
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
,
handballHandball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
,
lawn tennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
,
court tennisReal tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original indoor racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis , is descended...
,
field hockeyField Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
,
curlingCurling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is related to bowls, boule and shuffleboard. Two teams, each of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called "rocks", across the ice curling sheet towards the house, a...
,
rugbyRugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
,
squashSquash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
, and
unihockeyFloorball, a type of floor hockey, is an indoor team sport which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. Floorball is most popular in areas where the sport has developed the longest, such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The game is played...
.
Before 1920: Foundation and first championship wins
Grasshopper was founded on 1 September 1886 by Tom E. Griffith, an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
student. With a 20
Swiss francThe franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
donation, the club was able to import an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football shirt with blue and white colours (worn by Blackburn Rovers). Its first match came in October that year against ETH and ended in a goalless draw. In 1893, Grasshopper became the first Swiss team to play in
GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, defeating
RC StrasbourgRacing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
1–0.
The first
Swiss championshipsThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
(then called "Serie A") was held in 1897–98 and won by Grasshopper, as was the first championship played in a league system in 1899–1900. After two more titles in 1901 and 1905, Grasshopper had to withdraw from the Swiss championships in 1909 because they lacked a suitable playing ground and were not able to join again until 1916.
1920s: Dori Kürschner era
After re-joining the Swiss championship in 1916, GC won their fifth championship in 1921. In 1925 started the era of the Hungarian manager
Izidor "Dori" KürschnerIzidor "Dori" Kürschner, in Brazil primarily known as Dori Kruschner, , was a Hungarian football player and coach....
, a former member of the coaching staff of the Swiss national team that won the silver medal at the
1924 OlympicsAt the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, Uruguay dominated the Football tournament winning the Gold.-Amateur Status:In 1921, the Belgium Football Association first allowed for payments to players for time lost from work; in the months that followed four other Associations permitted similar...
. Under Kürschner in the 1920s, Grasshopper won the championship twice (in 1927 and 1928) and also the first two editions of the Swiss Cup in 1925–26 and in 1926–27.
1930s: Beginning of Karl Rappan era
Dori Kürschner stayed with Grasshopper until 1934, winning another championship in 1931 and two more Swiss Cups in 1932 and 1934. Then started the era of Austrian coach
Karl RappanKarl Rappan was an Austrian footballer and coach. He played and managed mostly in Switzerland, where he won multiple titles. He had four tenures as coach of the Swiss national team, which he managed in three World Cups, and is the all-time leader in matches won as coach of the Swiss team...
who managed also the Swiss national team for several years during that time. The first title under Rappan came in 1937 and the second one in 1939. They also won the Swiss Cup in 1937 and 1938.
1940s: More titles during World War II
Despite the turmoils of
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the Swiss championships were held during the 1940s with the Grasshoppers winning in 1942, 1943 and 1945. Until Karl Rappan left the team in 1948, the team also won another 5 Cups (in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1946). In 1949, Grasshopper were
relegatedIn many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
for the only time in their history.
1950s: Last successes for a long time
In 1952, right after being promoted back to the top level in the previous season, Grasshopper won their 14th Swiss championship title and their 12th Swiss Cup. They managed to win the
doubleThe Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
again in 1956, but it turned out to be their last
silverwareSilverware is a sporting term used to describe trophies awarded to winning players or teams.In English football, silverware is used to describe one of the cup trophies or the championship trophies awarded for winning one of the leagues...
for a long time, as they had to wait for 15 years until their next championship and for 27 years until their next Cup win. In 1956–57 Grasshopper participated for the first time in the
European CupThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
which was founded in the previous season. They reached the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by
FiorentinaACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
.
Matches in European competitions in the 1950s:
| Season |
Competition |
Round |
Opponent |
Home |
Away |
Series |
| 1956–57 |
European CupThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
|
R1 |
 Slovan UNV BratislavaŠK Slovan Bratislava is a football club based in Bratislava, Slovakia, that plays in the Corgoň liga. Founded as 1. ČsŠK Bratislava in 1919, the club changed its name to Slovan Bratislava in 1953...
|
2–0 |
0–1 |
2–1 |
| QF |
 FiorentinaACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
|
2–2 |
1–3 |
3–5 |
1960s: No titles
During the 1960s, Grasshopper won no championship and no Cup. The best result was a second place in 1968, which allowed them to play in the
Inter-Cities Fairs CupThe Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between 1955 and 1971. The competition was the idea of Swiss pools supremo Ernst Thommen, Ottorino Barassi from Italy, and the English Football Association general secretary Stanley Rous, all of whom later became senior officials...
, the predecessor of the
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. However, also on European level GC had no success and they were eliminated in the first round.
Matches in European competitions in the 1960s:
| Season |
Competition |
Round |
Opponent |
Home |
Away |
Series |
| 1968–69 |
Inter-Cities Fairs CupThe Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between 1955 and 1971. The competition was the idea of Swiss pools supremo Ernst Thommen, Ottorino Barassi from Italy, and the English Football Association general secretary Stanley Rous, all of whom later became senior officials...
|
R1 |
NapoliSocietà Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
|
1–0 |
1–3 |
2–3 |
1970s: Return to success and UEFA Cup semi-final
In 1971 Grasshopper finally returned to the top of the Swiss league. After the end of the season, GC and
FC BaselFussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
were tied at the top of the table and thus a play-off match was played in Bern. In front of 51,000 spectators, GC defeated Basel 4–3 after extra time to win their 16th championship. Throughout the decade Grasshopper was among the best Swiss teams and the next championship win came in 1978.
Thanks to their top finishes in the league, GC was able to play in European competitions almost every year. In 1978–79 they defeated
Real MadridReal Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in the second round of the
European CupThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, but lost the quarter-final against the eventual winner, Nottingham Forest. But their biggest European success to date came in the 1977–78 UEFA Cup where they reached the semi-final against French side
SC BastiaSporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
. After a 3–2 win at home, they traveled to
CorsicaCorsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
for the second leg but lost 0–1 and were eliminated due to the away goal rule.
Matches in European competitions in the 1970s:
| Season |
Competition |
Round |
Opponent |
Home |
Away |
Series |
| 1970–71 |
Inter-Cities Fairs CupThe Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between 1955 and 1971. The competition was the idea of Swiss pools supremo Ernst Thommen, Ottorino Barassi from Italy, and the English Football Association general secretary Stanley Rous, all of whom later became senior officials...
|
R1 |
 Dundee United |
0–0 |
2–3 |
2–3 |
| 1971–72 |
European Cup |
R1 |
 Reipas LahtiFC Lahti is a Finnish football club, based in the town of Lahti. It currently plays in the Finnish First Division after placing last in Finnish Premier League during season 2010...
|
8–0 |
1–1 |
9–1 |
| R2 |
 ArsenalArsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
|
0–2 |
0–3 |
0–5 |
| 1972–73 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
 Nîmes OlympiqueNîmes Olympique is a French association football club based in Nîmes. The club was formed on 10 April 1937 and currently play in Championnat National, the third level of French football. The club's only achievement was winning Ligue 2 in 1950 and the Championnat National in 1997...
|
2–1 |
2–1 |
4–2 |
| R2 |
 Ararat YerevanFC Ararat Yerevan , is an Armenian football club, based in Yerevan. Currently, the club plays in the Armenian Premier League, and is one of the most popular teams in Armenia.- History :...
|
1–3 |
2–4 |
3–7 |
| 1973–74 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
|
1–5 |
1–4 |
2–9 |
| 1974–75 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
 Panathinaikos |
2–0 |
1–2 |
3–2 |
| R2 |
 Real ZaragozaReal Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
|
2–1 |
0–5 |
2–6 |
| 1975–76 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
Real SociedadReal Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
|
3–3 |
1–1 |
4–4 (a) |
| 1976–77 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
 Hibernians |
7–0 |
2–0 |
9–0 |
| R2 |
 1. FC Köln1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
|
2–3 |
0–2 |
2–5 |
| 1977–78 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
 BK FremBoldklubben Frem is a Danish sports club based in the Valby-Sydhavnen area of Copenhagen. It is best known for its semi-professional football team. Since its foundation in 1886, Frem has won the Danish Championships six times and the Danish Cup twice...
|
6–1 |
2–0 |
8–1 |
| R2 |
TJ InternacionálFK Inter Bratislava is a Slovak football club, playing in the city of Bratislava.FK Inter Bratislava merged with FK Senica on June 18, 2009. Players of Inter Bratislava had to move to other clubs. In season 2010/2011 has been renewed and will start in 5.league...
|
5–1 |
0–1 |
5–2 |
| R3 |
Dinamo Tbilisi FC Dinamo Tbilisi is a Georgian football team, based in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Dinamo Tbilisi was one of the most prominent clubs in Soviet football and a major contender in the Soviet Top League almost immediately after it was established in 1936...
|
4–0 |
0–1 |
4–1 |
| QF |
Eintracht FrankfurtEintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
|
1–0 |
2–3 |
3–3 (a) |
| SF |
SC BastiaSporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
|
3–2 |
0–1 |
3–3 (a) |
| 1978–79 |
European Cup |
R1 |
Valletta Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
|
8–0 |
5–3 |
13–3 |
| R2 |
Real Madrid Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
|
2–0 |
1–3 |
3–3 (a) |
| QF |
Nottingham Forest |
1–1 |
1–4 |
2–4 |
| 1979–80 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
 FC Progrès NiedercornFootball Club Progrès Niedercorn is a football club, based in Niederkorn, in south-western Luxembourg.-History:During the German occupation of Luxembourg, the club played in the Gauliga Moselland under the name of FK Niederkorn, where it finished runners-up in 1942-43, behind champions TuS...
|
4–0 |
2–0 |
6–0 |
| R2 |
Ipswich TownIpswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
|
0–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 (a) |
| R3 |
VfB StuttgartVerein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
|
0–2 |
0–3 |
0–5 |
1980s: Hattricks
The 1980s were a successful decade for Grasshopper. In the years 1982, 1983 and 1984, GC won the championship three times in a row, achieving the "title hattrick". In all three seasons,
Servette FCServette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
from
GenevaGeneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
was their strongest rival, and in 1984 a championship-deciding game had to be staged in Bern because the two teams were equal on points after the regular season. GC won that match 1–0 by a converted
penalty kickA penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
by Andy Egli in the 104th minute.
Grasshopper were also successful in the Cup competition, after winning in 1983 they also managed to achieve a hattrick in the Cup by winning in 1988, 1989 and 1990. The last two of those wins were achieved with German manager
Ottmar HitzfeldOttmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General ....
. A notable success in European competitions came in 1980–81 UEFA Cup when GC reached the quarter-finals, but then were eliminated by French side FC Sochaux.
Matches in European competitions in the 1980s:
| Season |
Competition |
Round |
Opponent |
Home |
Away |
Series |
| 1980–81 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
Kjobenhavns Boldklub |
3–1 |
5–2 |
8–3 |
| R2 |
 FC PortoFutebol Clube do Porto , commonly known as FC Porto, Porto, or FCP, is a Portuguese multi-sports club from the city of Porto, in the northern region of the country. Although they successfully compete in a number of different sports, FC Porto is mostly known for its association football team...
|
3–0 (aet) |
0–2 |
3–2 |
| R3 |
Torino Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
|
2–1 |
1–2 |
3–3 (p) |
| QF |
FC Sochaux Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
|
0–0 |
1–2 |
1–2 |
| 1981–82 |
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
West Bromwich AlbionWest Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
|
1–1 |
3–1 |
4–1 |
| R2 |
 Radnički Niš |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–2 (p) |
| 1982–83 |
European Cup |
R1 |
Dynamo Kiev |
0–1 |
0–3 |
0–4 |
| 1983–84 |
European Cup |
R1 |
Dinamo Minsk |
2–2 |
0–1 |
2–3 |
| 1984–85 |
European Cup |
R1 |
 Budapest HonvédBudapest Honvéd FC |football]] team. "Honved" means the Homeland Defense. Originally formed as Kispest AC, they became Kispest FC in 1926 before reverting to their original name in 1944. The team enjoyed a golden age during the 1950s when it was renamed Budapest Honvéd SE and became the Hungarian...
|
3–1 |
1–2 |
4–3 |
| R2 |
JuventusJuventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
|
2–4 |
0–2 |
2–6 |
1990s: Champions League
In 1995–96 Grasshoppers became the first Swiss team to play in the
UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. After defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the qualification, they played in group D against Ajax,
Real MadridReal Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Ferencváros. They were not able to win a match but played two draws, one against Ajax and one against Ferencváros.
In the following year, Grasshoppers qualified a second time for the Champions League, this time after defeating Slavia Prague. In group A with opponents
AuxerreAssociation de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
,
RangersRangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and again Ajax, a more positive result was achieved. After home wins over Rangers and Auxerre and an away win at Ajax, a draw in the last game at home versus Ajax would have secured the qualification for the quarter finals. However, the game was lost 0–1 and Ajax advanced instead.
2000s: Incorporation
In 1997, Grasshopper incorporated and as of May 2005, it is formally organized as Neue Grasshopper Fussball AG. In doing so, Grasshopper became the first Swiss sports club to go public.
Matches in European competitions since 2003:
| Season |
Competition |
Round |
Opponent |
Home |
Away |
Series |
| 2003–04 |
Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
|
Q3 |
AEK Athens |
1–0 |
1–3 |
2–3 |
Uefa CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
R1 |
 Hajduk Split |
1–1 |
0–0 |
1–1 (a) |
| 2005–06 |
Uefa CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
|
Q2 |
 Wisla PlockWisła Płock is a Polish football and handball club based in Płock, Poland.- Previous names :*1947: Elektryczność Płock*1950: ZS Ogniwo Płock *Spring 1955: ZS Sparta Płock...
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MyPaMyllykosken Pallo –47 is a Finnish football club, based in the industrial town of Myllykoski, part of the city of Kouvola since January 2009. They currently play in the Finnish Premier Division...
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MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
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 Litex LovechPFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
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 Dnipro DnipropetrovskFootball Club Dnipro is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Dnipropetrovsk.-BRIT:The club's franchise traces its history all the way back when the first team that was formed in 1918 by the Petrovsky factory and was called as BRIT . The team participated in the regional competition...
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 AZ |
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Uefa CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
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Videoton |
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 ÅtvidabergsÅtvidabergs FF is a Swedish football club located in Åtvidaberg. The club, formed 1 July 1907 as Åtvidabergs IF, is currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The club changed to the present name before the 1935–1936 season. The club is affiliated to Östergötlands Fotbollförbund...
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AZ |
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 Slovan LiberecFC Slovan Liberec is a Czech football club founded in the city of Liberec. The club is one of the most successful in the Czech Republic, having won two league titles and the domestic cup since 1993. Slovan Liberec is also one of the richest clubs in the Czech league...
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SevillaSevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
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| Braga |
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| 2008–09 |
Uefa CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
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Q2 |
Lech Poznań Lech Poznań is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Polish nation.The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1933 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways...
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| 2010–11 |
UEFA Europa League |
Play-off This article details the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round.Each tie is played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home. The team that has the higher aggregate score over the two legs progresses to the next round...
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 FC Steaua Bucureşti |
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Stadium and grounds
Since September 2007, Grasshopper-Club Zürich has played all of its home matches in the
LetzigrundIn January 2005, UEFA approved plans to rebuild the stadium for use as a EURO 2008 venue. It hosted 3 matches in the 2008 European Football Championship....
stadium which is the regular home ground of FC Zürich. After the completion of the new
Stadion ZürichStadion Zürich is a planned stadium in Zurich, Switzerland. It will be the home stadium of FC Zürich and Grasshopper-Club Zürich, replacing the Hardturm stadium which was closed in September 2007....
(currently in planning stage), both teams are expected to play there.
From 1929 to 2007, Grasshopper had their own home ground in the
HardturmThe Hardturm was a football stadium located in Zurich's Kreis 5. Opened in 1929, it was the home of the Grasshopper-Club Zürich. It was a host stadium for the 1954 FIFA World Cup....
stadium. Before 1929, home matches were played at various other venues.
Training facilities are located in
NiederhasliNiederhasli is a municipality in the district of Dielsdorf in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.-Geography:Niederhasli has an area of . Of this area, 58.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 21.5% is forested...
, where in 2005 the club opened a comprehensive facility including five practice pitches, apartments for youth players and offices.
Honours
- Swiss Championship
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
- Winners (27): 1898, 1900, 1901, 1905, 1921, 1927, 1928, 1931, 1937, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1952, 1956, 1971, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001
-Regular season:The regular season started on 15 July and ended on 10 December.-Champion playoffs:Each team awarded half of the points from regular season-Regular season:-Relegation playoffs:...
, 2003
- Swiss Cup
- Winners (18): 1926, 1927, 1932, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1952, 1956, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994
- Swiss League Cup
The Swiss League Cup was a football tournament which took place as a summer pre-season tournament in 1972 and 1973, and during the Swiss football season from 1974–75 to 1981–82...
Current squad
As of 5 July, 2011
(on loan from Young BoysBerner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
)
(on loan from WinterthurFC Winterthur is a Swiss football club based in Winterthur, Canton of Zürich. They play in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football...
)
Out on loan
Notable former players
- See also .
Players for the Swiss national football team
Alfred "Fredy" BickelAlfred Bickel, also referred to as Fredy Bickel was a Swiss football player and coach...
Thomas BickelThomas Bickel is a retired Swiss football midfielder.He was capped 52 times and scored 5 goals for the Swiss national team between 1986 and 1995, including three games at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Club career statistics:...
Stéphane Chapuisat Christian GrossChristian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
Marcel KollerMarcel Koller is a former Swiss football player and current head coach of the Austria national team.-As player:...
Stephan LichtsteinerStephan Lichtsteiner is a Swiss footballer, currently playing for Juventus and the Swiss national team. He is known for his runs down the right flank when on the counterattack, hence his nickname "Forrest Gump"...
Patrick MüllerPatrick Müller is a Swiss professional footballer who currently is a Free Agent after ending his contract with Monaco.-Club career:...
Ciriaco SforzaCiriaco Sforza is a Swiss former professional football player and is the coach of Grasshopper-Club Zürich.-Biography:He most notably played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern and FC Bayern Munich in Germany...
Alain SutterAlain Sutter was one of the most successful Swiss football players during the 1990s.Sutter began his career in 1985 with Grasshoppers Zurich, one of Switzerland's most storied clubs...
Kubilay TürkyilmazKubilay "Kubi" Türkyilmaz is a former Swiss footballer of Turkish descent. He completed his international career as the all-time joint leading goal scorer for the Swiss national team, with 34 goals in 62 appearances between 1988 and 2001, equalling the performance of Max Abegglen...
Johann VogelJohann Louis François Vogel is a retired Swiss footballer.-Early career:Vogel joined Swiss amateur club Meyrin in his youth, but made the cut into professional football by joining Grasshoppers...
Hakan YakinHakan Yakin is a Swiss footballer. He currently plays for Swiss Super League club FC Luzern. He was member of the Swiss national team for eleven years.-Personal life:...
Murat YakinMurat Yakin is a Swiss-Turkish football coach and former Swiss national player. He is currently the coach of FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League.-Playing career:...
Reto ZieglerReto Ziegler is a Swiss footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.-Early career:Ziegler was in the summer of 2004 signed by Tottenham Hotspur to a contract initially meant to begin on 1 January 2005, when his contract with Grasshoppers expired...
Players with World CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
appearances for their national teams
Kurt JaraKurt Jara is a retired Austrian footballer.-Club career:Jara started his professional career with local side FC Wacker Innsbruck before moving to Spanish outfit Valencia CF in 1973. After two seasons in La Liga he joined German Bundesliga team MSV Duisburg where he spent 5 seasons and reached the...
Günter NetzerGünter Theodor Netzer is a former German football player and team general manager currently working in the media business. As a player, he was considered to be one of the greatest passers in the game's history...
Vittorio PozzoVittorio Pozzo 21 December 1968) was an Italian football coach who was most famous for leading the Italian national team to victory in the 1934 FIFA World Cup and 1938 FIFA World Cups; managed the side that won the 1930 and 1935 editions of the Central European International Cup, as well as the...
Wynton RuferWynton Alan Whai Rufer, CNZM, , is a retired New Zealand footballer, who played as a striker. He spent most of his professional career in Germany with Werder Bremen, winning a total of six titles. He also appeared for the New Zealand national team in its first FIFA World Cup participation, in 1982...
Efan EkokuEfangwu Goziem "Efan" Ekoku is an English-born Nigerian former footballer who played as a striker.- Playing career :...
Femi OpabunmiFemi Opabunmi is a Nigerian football player, who plays for Shooting Stars FC.-Career:He played for a few clubs, including Shooting Stars FC, Grasshoppers Zürich and Chamois Niortais in France...
Franco NavarroFranco Enrique Navarro Monteiro is a former football striker and manager from Peru.-Career:Navarro played for Deportivo Municipal, Sporting Cristal, Alianza Lima, Independiente from Argentina and Grasshoppers from Switzerland among others...
Tomasz RząsaTomasz Rząsa is a former Polish professional footballer.-Career:During his career, Rząsa represented Sokół Pniewy , Grasshoppers , Lugano , Young Boys , De Graafschap , Feyenoord , Partizan , Heerenveen , ADO Den Haag and Ried .In...
Viorel MoldovanViorel Dinu Moldovan is a retired Romanian football forward, who was a key part of the Romanian national team in the 1990s...
Tosh McKinlayThomas Valley "Tosh" McKinlay is a Scottish former international footballer. A fullback or wingback, he spent most of his career in Scotland.-Career:...
Papa Bouba DiopPape "Papa" Bouba Diop is a Senegalese footballer who plays for West Ham United in the Football League Championship and the Senegal national team. His preferred position is defensive midfield but can also play as a centre back, where he previously played at Lens...
Ove GrahnJan-Olof "Ove" Grahn was a Swedish footballer.Grahn played for IF Elfsborg. He was then a professional in Switzerland for 10 years....
Mats GrenMats Gren is a former Swedish footballer and Head Coach. He most recently managed Vejle BK.-Career:Gren played for Falu BS 1982–1984. He then played for IFK Göteborg in 1984–1985 and became Swedish champion in 1984. Gren then moved to Grasshopper, where he played from 1985-2000...
Russell LatapyRussell Nigel Latapy is a Trinidad and Tobago footballer who plays for Edinburgh City as an attacking midfielder.In a senior career which spanned more than 20 years at both club and international level, he played in Portugal and Scotland .Latapy...
Other notable former players:
Giovane Elber (
Bundesliga top scorerThis is the list of Bundesliga top scorers season by season. Since 1966 a miniature artillery sponsored by the German football magazine kicker is awarded to the top scorer at the end of the season. It is formally named "kicker Torjägerkanone" . Gerd Müller holds the record for most goals in a...
2003)
Sebastián RozentalSebastián Rozental Igualt is a retired Chilean-Israeli professional football player.On the club level, Rozental has played for Universidad Católica , Colo-Colo , and Unión Española in his native Chile, Rangers in Scotland, where he became the first player from South America to play for the...
(
Chilean Footballer of the YearChilean Footballer of the Year is an award that the Circulo de Periodistas de Chile annually grants, to those Chilean soccer players who during the season of Primera División de Chile have obtained the greater amount of points, in agreement with the opinion of the editors of the agency.- Chilean...
1996)
Walter SchoellerWalter Schoeller was a Swiss athlete best known for his time with Grasshopper-Club Zürich.His performance led Grasshopper to national titles in rowing , tennis , football and field hockey , and earning him the nickname "Mister GC".In 1934, Schoeller secured Hardturm Stadium for use by...
(Honorary GCZ President)
Richard NúñezRichard Darío Núñez Pereyra is a Uruguayan footballer who currently plays for Rampla Juniors.-Career:He started his professional career in Montevideo playing for Danubio, than he moved to Europe to the Grasshopper Club Zürich in Switzerland...
(86 goals for Grasshopper)
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Managers since 1925
Izidor "Dori" KürschnerIzidor "Dori" Kürschner, in Brazil primarily known as Dori Kruschner, , was a Hungarian football player and coach....
(1925–34)
Karl RappanKarl Rappan was an Austrian footballer and coach. He played and managed mostly in Switzerland, where he won multiple titles. He had four tenures as coach of the Swiss national team, which he managed in three World Cups, and is the all-time leader in matches won as coach of the Swiss team...
(1935–48) Gerhard "Hardy" Walter (1948–50) Willi Treml (1950–55)
Willi HahnemannWilhelm Hahnemann was an Austrian and German football player who started his career at Admira Vienna.-International career:...
(1955–58)
Svetislav GlišovićSvetislav Glišović , was a Serbian international football player and manager.-Career:...
(1958)
Antun PogačnikAntun "Toni" Pogačnik was a Croatian footballer who played for both Yugoslavia and Croatia.Pogačnik led arguably the most successful Indonesian national team. Under him, Indonesia held the Soviet Union to a 0-0 draw in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics quarter final game before losing 0-4 in the replay...
and
Alfred "Fredy" BickelAlfred Bickel, also referred to as Fredy Bickel was a Swiss football player and coach...
(1958–60)
Branislav VukosavljevićBranislav Vukosavljević was a Serbian football midfielder and later a football manager....
(1960–63)
Alfred "Fredy" BickelAlfred Bickel, also referred to as Fredy Bickel was a Swiss football player and coach...
(1963–64)
Albert Sing (1964–66) Walter Brunner and
Werner SchleyWerner Schley was a Swiss footballer who played as a goalkeeper during the 1950's and 1960's....
(1966–67)
Henri SkibaHenri Skiba is a former French football player of Polish/German origin who played for France national football team; he was then manager in Switzerland and France....
(1967–69) Walter Brunner and
Werner Schley (1969–70)
René Hüssy René Hüssy was a Swiss football player and manager who played for Grasshopper-Club Zürich and FC Lausanne-Sport and managed the Switzerland national football team.-Playing career:...
(1970–73) Erich Vogel and
István Szabó (1973–76)
Helmuth JohannsenHelmuth Johannsen was a German football coach.-Honours:* Bundesliga champion: 1967.* Swiss Super League champion: 1978.-External links:...
(1976–79)
Jürgen Sundermann (1979–80)
Friedhelm Konietzka (1980–82)
Hennes WeisweilerHans "Hennes" Weisweiler was a German football player and coach....
(1982–83)
Miroslav BlaževićMiroslav "Ćiro" Blažević is a Bosnian Croat football manager. He is the current head coach of Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League....
(1983–85)
Friedhelm Konietzka (1985–86)
Kurt JaraKurt Jara is a retired Austrian footballer.-Club career:Jara started his professional career with local side FC Wacker Innsbruck before moving to Spanish outfit Valencia CF in 1973. After two seasons in La Liga he joined German Bundesliga team MSV Duisburg where he spent 5 seasons and reached the...
(1986–88)
Ottmar HitzfeldOttmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General ....
(1988–91) Oldrich Svab (1991–92)
Leo BeenhakkerLeo Beenhakker is an international Dutch football coach, who is the current Sports Director of Újpest FC.- Coaching career :...
(1992–93)
Christian GrossChristian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
(1993–97)
Hanspeter LatourHanspeter Latour is a Swiss football manager and former goalkeeper.- Coach career :He has vast experience as a manager, having coached at the professional level for over thirty years in both Germany and his native Switzerland....
(1997), (interim)
Rolf Fringer (1998) Roger Hegi (1999)
Roy HodgsonRoy Hodgson is a former English footballer and current head coach of West Bromwich Albion.Hodgson, who has managed sixteen different teams in eight countries, guided the Switzerland national team to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996; Switzerland had not qualified...
(1999–00) Hanspeter Zaugg (2000–01)
Piet HambergPiet Hamberg is a Dutch former footballer and manager. He worked at Liverpool as Technical Manager for their Academy....
(2000), (interim)
Marcel KollerMarcel Koller is a former Swiss football player and current head coach of the Austria national team.-As player:...
(2002–03) Carlos Bernegger (2003–04)
Alain GeigerAlain Geiger is a retired Swiss international football defender and current manager. He is currently the head coach manager of Al-Masry in the Egyptian Premier League....
(2004–05)
Hanspeter LatourHanspeter Latour is a Swiss football manager and former goalkeeper.- Coach career :He has vast experience as a manager, having coached at the professional level for over thirty years in both Germany and his native Switzerland....
(2005–06)
Krassimir BalakovKrasimir Genchev Balakov is a former Bulgarian footballer and a current manager of Croatian club Hajduk Split. He was a key member of the Bulgarian national team that finished fourth in the 1994 FIFA World Cup...
(2006–07)
Hanspeter LatourHanspeter Latour is a Swiss football manager and former goalkeeper.- Coach career :He has vast experience as a manager, having coached at the professional level for over thirty years in both Germany and his native Switzerland....
(2007–09)
Ciriaco SforzaCiriaco Sforza is a Swiss former professional football player and is the coach of Grasshopper-Club Zürich.-Biography:He most notably played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern and FC Bayern Munich in Germany...
(2009–)
Famous supporters
- Maximilian Schell
Maximilian Schell is an Austrian-born Swiss actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Judgment at Nuremberg in 1961...
, Oscar winningPerformance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
actorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
- Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Friedrich Dürrenmatt was a Swiss author and dramatist. He was a proponent of epic theatre whose plays reflected the recent experiences of World War II. The politically active author's work included avant-garde dramas, philosophically deep crime novels, and often macabre satire...
, author of GermanGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
literature
- Michelle Hunziker
Michelle Yvonne Hunziker is a Swiss television hostess, actress, model and singer.-Early life:Hunziker was born in Sorengo , in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Her mother Ineke is Dutch; her father Rudolf, who died of a heart attack in the fall of 2001, was a German-speaking Swiss...
, modelA model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and entertainer on ItalianItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and German televisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
Unofficial