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START OF THE SEASON FOR THE HOPPERS
The Hoppers before the start of the season.
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    • 07 / 23 / 22
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START OF THE SEASON FOR THE HOPPERS

The 2022/23 season gets underway for the Hoppers tomorrow. They will start the season at home against FC Lugano.

Last weekend, they successfully concluded their preparation with a 3:2 victory in a test match against Wiesbaden. Now it's time for the Zurich team to get serious: On Sunday, the 2022/23 season starts and in the 2nd round of the CSSL (the 1st round was postponed), they host FC Lugano at home. Head coach Giorgio Contini is optimistic about the start: "The feeling is good. We were able to work well during the preparation. The staff and I, as well as the boys, were very focused on the work. We were also able to take the time to address certain things from last season where we can improve. We certainly had the advantage that most of the players are still here. The boys reacted very well to that, which is also shown by the results of the last two games. When you look at the results of test matches, you have to be a bit cautious. But certainly the physical and tactical form curve is pointing upwards. Basically, there is a good feeling in the team, the boys have pulled together well."

Captain Amir Abrashi added: "I'm really looking forward (to the start of the season), as is the team. We had an extra week off, but all the better, so we could look at the other teams and keep focusing on our work. It was a good preparation, we didn't have to get to know each other anymore, which is also an advantage. We have certainly grown even closer together, which I see as very positive. I hope we are ready for the start on Sunday."

For the Cup winners from Ticino, the season already started a week earlier. They were beaten 3-2 at home by Sion. Fabio Daprelà was the unlucky one, first hitting an own goal and later having to leave the pitch with a red card. This means that ex-GC player Daprelà will be suspended against GC. The Luganesi played a total of four test matches before the new season, resulting in two victories (against Collina d'Or and Kaiserslautern) and two defeats (against Ingolstadt and Inter Milan). Now, for the first time this season, the Ticino team will travel to Zurich.

Head coach Giorgio Contini will have to do without Florian Hoxha, Tomás Ribeiro, Sangbin Jeong and Simone Stroscio due to injury. Otherwise, Contini has the entire squad at his disposal.

The match can be followed as usual on 86live via live ticker and radio. In addition, the match can be seen on PayTV on blue Sport.

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