Kraków, Poland – No be small thing, as Servette FC don ready to show dem skills inside the UEFA Conference League for their match against Shakhtar Donetsk dis evening. Kickoff go start for 21:00, and if you no fit watch am live, e dey show for UPL TV and Kyivstar TV.
Now make we gist small about Servette FC. Dem don dey exist since March 20, 1890, for Geneva, and since den dem don collect Swiss league trophy 17 times, last one na for 1999 (time don waka, abi?). Dem also get 8 national Cups and 3 League Cups to their name. For international level, dem reach quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1967 and 1979 (sharp guys, but e no sweet like fried plantain).
But na e be say the 2000s no too kind to dem as dem go bankrupt as if na market day, and dem spend some time for lower divisions. Thank God, dem bounce back join Super League for 2019. Last season, the Maroons miss out join play-off round after dem lose to Chelsea, wey later carry the trophy go house (no wahala small wahala). This season, dem don rise again, finishing 2nd for the Swiss Super League and securing European spots.
Dem try their luck for Champions League qualifiers but dem sharply face Czech side Viktoria wey send dem packing (1-3, 1-0). No let that one wound you, sha, because dem fell again for Europa League by losing to Utrecht before dem finally land for Conference League play-offs.
For Sidon, the team dey managed by Jocelyn Gourvennec, wey don gather plenty experience from different clubs like Nantes, Lille, Guingamp and Bordeaux. E don join dem since August 12, 2025, and under him, dem draw with Grasshopper and suffer loss to Utrecht but complete e comeback with sweet thrashing of Dardania Lausanne (5-0) for Swiss Cup. I dey wonder if him go fit carry dem enter another level sha.
Dem captain, 32-year-old Jérémy Frick, dey guard dem goal like e dey protect hin mama pepper soup. Plus, dem get Miroslav Stevanovic, a 34-year-old bosnian midfielder wey dey scatter nets. Last season, e land 14 goals and 11 assists. This season, e don don knack 2 already. Some strikers like Dereck Kutesa and Enzo Crivelli don fly out of the team, but Timothé Cognat dey carry the badge as the most valuable player for the squad at €4 million. Na big level o!
Once upon a time, Shakhtar and Servette don meet for tournament before – for 1983/84 season of Cup Winners’ Cup. Shakhtar run am that time with Victor Hrachov wey score one goal for dem (1-0). For lend match for home ground, Servette come dey shine small but no pass as Shakhtar carry dem waka again (2-1). Dem even carry friendly match dey play for Switzerland in 2012, Shakhtar land win (4-0). Na correct history dem get for ground, e fit bring some pressure.
The match go dey officiated by Scottish whistle-blowers, Nicholas Walsh dey hold the main ref whistle, with Daniel McFarlane and Francis Connor na im assistant. If you see VAR, na Andrew Dallas go dey manage am. Make we see wetin go happen tonight as Servette dey come show their steel and fire, while Shakhtar dey look to maintain their powerful presence!
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