The winter's tale: FC Lausanne-Sport vs FC Sion

Words: Maxime Michelet

Images: Maxime Michelet

At a time when Switzerland finds itself draped in a white sheet, giving rise to the unprecedented scenes of Lucerne ultras removing the snow, the Stade de la Tuilière was preparing to experience a very warm evening with a second derby in the space of three weeks.

On the morning of this new icy derby, Lausanne-Sports hoped to find a home victory against the Sédunois of FC Sion, which has eluded them since Saturday, December 14, 2013, putting an end to a spiral of nine defeats and a draw.

Although the temperature was below zero, the large presence of Lausanne ultras in front of the gates of the Kop Sud signposted a very lively evening.

The two main ultras groups, namely the Loz Boys of FC Lausanne-Sport, and the Tricards, were blowing out their 12th and 15th birthday candles respectively.

©Maxime Michelet/ Terrace Edition. Loz Boys. FC Lausanne-Sport vs FC Sion.

While the Lausanne groups are fine-tuning the final adjustments for the various evening’s events, the accesses to the Kop Sud, and Tribune C, are closed, as was the case during the derby of the lake.

The forecourt was therefore evacuated, my fellow photographers and I were chased away by more than nervous security staff.

A light show was organized by the club at the players' entrance, and in total darkness, the immense anniversary tifo of the Loz Boys was deployed, composed of a huge Loz Boys scarf, a "Group picture" veil, and a banner .

"12 years we are your 12th man".

The Gradin Nord of Sion, which arrived slightly late, was not left behind, carrying an animation composed of a banner that said "Sion-chest-1909", and accompanied by red and white flags, and some strobes.

©Maxime Michelet/ Terrace Edition. Gradin Nord FC Sion at FC Lausanne-Sport.

At the start of the match, many pyroshows set the Kop Sud alight, with various crackers after the Loz Boys tifo, in the 12th minute, and during the Tricards tifo, displayed in the 19th minute, showing the group's logo, a member of the Daltons.

The start of the second-half very often comes with a bonfire on the Gradin Nord. There were veils raised in the visitors' sector, as well as hooded ultras on the fence, attracting my lens towards a sumptuous pyro-show in the 50th minute.

Finally, the curse that haunted the Lausanne players was broken in the 80th minute, when Teddy Okou had the brilliant idea of opening the score. The referee blew the final whistle, and the speakers, to everyone's surprise, played “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. A first at Lausanne-Sports.

The Blue and Whites commune with the Kop Sud, and no problems were reported after the match, apart from a few insults and allusions to the alleged Valaisans inbreeding.

©Maxime Michelet/ Terrace Edition. Kop Sud FC Lausanne-Sport vs FC Sion.

©Maxime Michelet/ Terrace Edition. FC Lausanne-Sport vs FC Sion.

©Maxime Michelet/ Terrace Edition. Gradin Nord FC Sion arrive at FC Lausanne-Sport

©Maxime Michelet/ Terrace Edition. Los Boys 12th anniversary tifo. FC Lausanne-Sport vs FC Sion.

You can find Maxine on Instagram: @max_mich.loz

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