The 2024–2025 edition of the Swiss U15 Cup is just around the corner. On Saturday 26 April 2025, the Stockhorn Arena in Thun will host the final tournament featuring the six qualified teams, including Team Ticino Sottoceneri.
THE BUILD-UP
The three qualifying rounds, held between late September 2024 and early March 2025, saw the Ticino lads take on and defeat, in turn, their peers from Solothurn (5–4), Schaffhausen (4–2) and Grasshopper (6–3). Kenan Jakupović, the team’s top scorer with an impressive seven goals, stood out in particular during these convincing victories. He was followed closely by Ian Tiraboschi with five goals (including two penalties), whilst Francesco Cipriani, Leon Andrea Gervasini and Andrea Riva each scored one.
THE PARTICIPANTS
At the end of the group stage, six teams secured their places in the final round, which will decide who lifts the trophy. The Team Ticino Sottoceneri U15s, affiliated with FC Lugano, will represent Italian-speaking Switzerland, whilst the fierce competition will feature opponents of the calibre of Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, Winterthur and Zurich. The ASF’s youth regulations allow participation for players born on or after 1 January 2010 (up to and including 31 December 2011).
TEAM DIVISION
The teams that have qualified for the final phase – comprising a maximum of 18 players (including goalkeepers) – have been divided into two groups of three. In Group 1, Zurich, Basel and Lucerne will battle it out for a place in the final. In Group 2, Winterthur, Lausanne and Team Ticino Sottoceneri will battle it out.
THE FIXTURES
13:00, FC Zürich v FC Basel and FC Winterthur v FC Lausanne-Sport
2.00 pm, FC Luzern v loser of FCZ/FCB and Team Ticino Sottoceneri v loser of FCW/LS
3.00 pm: Winner of FCZ/FCB v FC Luzern and winner of FCW/LS v Team Ticino Sottoceneri
4.30 pm: Final between the winners of the two groups
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Each match will last forty minutes (two halves of twenty minutes), with a five-minute half-time break. Should the match end in a draw at full time, the winner will be decided directly via a penalty shoot-out.
A win within normal time will be worth three points, whilst two points will go to the team that prevails over their opponent after the penalty shoot-out. As in ice hockey, one point will be awarded to the team that loses the penalty shoot-out. Finally, no points will be awarded to the team that loses within the forty minutes.
In the event of a tie on points, the league positions will be determined – in the following order – by head-to-head results, number of three-point wins, goal difference, number of goals scored and, if all else fails, by a draw.
The top two teams in each group will face each other in the final, which will take place at the Stockhorn Arena. For the other four teams, the tournament will end after the group stage.
SUBSTITUTIONS
During the group stage, up to five players may be substituted per match. Substitutions may only be made during the half-time break. During the match, a substitution is permitted with the referee’s authorisation only in the event of an injury.
Five substitutions may also be made during the final. These must be carried out either at half-time or during a single interruption per half.
POSSIBLE PENALTIES
If a team fails to arrive at the pitch on time, it will be penalised with a 0–3 forfeit.
As regards individual players, the first yellow card will result in a five-minute suspension. A second booking during the same match will result in a sending-off and suspension for the next match. A red card for a dangerous tackle will result in a one-match suspension. A sending-off for assault or unsporting behaviour will result in a ban for the entire tournament and a report to the relevant authorities.
PRIZES ON OFFER
The team that wins the final will be awarded the Swiss U15 Cup trophy. In addition, the players will each receive a medal. The players from the team defeated in the final will also receive a medal.
PREVIEW BY MATTEO MONTORFANO (coach of Team Ticino Sottoceneri U15)
‘We’ll approach this experience with a positive and uplifting spirit. The lads have earned their place in the Swiss Cup finals through hard work and training, and after beating Solothurn, Schaffhausen and Grasshopper in the group stage. It’s been a journey that began with our summer preparations. The sweat, sacrifice and commitment we’ve put in have enabled us to reap these rewards and see the fruits of our labour.
In my view, there are pros and cons to playing two matches in a row in the group stage. Starting first allows you to take to the pitch feeling fresh, aiming for a win to send out an important message. Then, if you secure a victory, you can rest and go into the third match feeling a little fresher. The flip side is that, by starting second, you have the opportunity to face the team that has lost. Mentally, this can be an advantage. However, physically, playing two matches in a row is definitely more demanding.
In the league, we faced Winterthur and beat them 3–2. As the U15 Elite is an important tournament from a development perspective, it features players who also compete in higher age groups. The Zurich side can count on two talented players who are already part of their U16 squad. If they turn up for the competition with a full squad, as I believe they will, the situation will become even more interesting.
Against Lucerne, on the other hand, we drew 2–2 and, in my view, they produced our best football to date in terms of quality, style of play and technical ability. The two groups in the final phase are certainly exciting. Personally, I was lucky enough to experience this last year. For me, therefore, this will be my second in a row. This year, all six teams are of a very high standard. For that reason, it will be a wonderful experience.
As for the individual players, referring in particular to the two very young players who scored the most goals in the knockout stage, it’s worth noting that Kenan Jakupović was born in 2011 and is playing below his age group. He is, without a shadow of a doubt, an excellent prospect for FC Lugano. Ian Tiraboschi, for his part, has been part of the squad since the start of this season. They are two very promising players with a very bright future ahead of them.
Through this tournament, which they will experience first-hand, the lads are sure to gain valuable experience. It will be an opportunity for growth on various levels: mentally, in terms of character and, above all, in fostering team spirit, friendship, self-sacrifice and the development of healthy competition. These are aspects that are difficult to cultivate during the season. Thanks to this tournament, these values will prove to be very important. Facing off against other teams also always contributes to personal growth. The aim, therefore, is to give their all, experiencing the intense emotions that ultimately make the difference. Day by day and step by step, the intention is to strengthen each player’s awareness and build anticipation for this significant and formative event.
PREVIEW BY ENRICO DI MANNO (Footeco manager, Team Ticino Sottoceneri U15 coordinator)
“Winning the final tournament is an extraordinary achievement. The lads care deeply about it, and this is confirmed by the fact that they have reached this stage of the competition for the second year running. It is certainly a source of pride for FC Lugano. Our preparations are a bit special, because the squad always has in mind the three consecutive finals contested by the first team in recent seasons (notably the victory over St. Gallen on 15 May 2022). It is a goal to strive for, with healthy ambition.
All the teams that have reached the finals are excellent. To give Winterthur and Lausanne a proper challenge, we need to analyse them thoroughly. The coaching staff are preparing for the fixtures by studying specific footage of previous encounters. In any case, these matches are always a bit of an unknown, given that our opponents will likely be able to call upon several players who are already competing in higher age groups, such as the U16s. Every match is different; we must approach it with the right spirit, giving our all and delivering a top-class performance on the pitch.
This experience is a source of pride for everyone, especially the lads. It will serve them well later on in their careers, as one day they’ll be able to look back and reflect on taking part in the Swiss Cup finals. In Thun, we’ll be up against the strongest teams in the country. It’s simply exceptional.
The training the lads are undergoing is a very important experience. They’ll be taking on opponents with an enviable history. Many young players aspire to become professionals, and this particular event offers them the opportunity to grow and develop, as well as to move forward with a competitive mindset. The main aim is, one day, to make the dream of becoming a professional footballer at the highest level a reality, whether that be in the Challenge League or the Super League.
Our squad, made up of lads born in 2010, is very promising. The coaching staff at Team Sottoceneri have done – and are continuing to do – a great job. There are standout players in the squad, but there are others who, looking ahead, have the potential to go on to achieve great things. They are also making their mark at national level. Andrea Riva, Ian Tiraboschi, Kenan Jakupović and Leon Andrea Gervasini are just a few of the ‘promising’ names. Then, as always, much will depend on the mindset, attitude and determination with which the lads approach their journey.
The opportunity to make a significant leap in quality is there, but sometimes it’s not at all obvious. Every step must be taken with care and consistency. Ultimately, hard work pays off. However, you have to work every day to improve. And we, through the integrated methodology employed by the coaching staff, give them that opportunity, as the lads are supported individually by ‘individual development coaches’, so as to offer them that extra something. However, to achieve certain objectives, it is essential to maintain a certain balance at all times.’