It’s a legendary match. Without doubt, one of the most beautiful finals of the Swiss Football Cup. On June 8, 1981, Lausanne Sport, led in particular by Gabet Chapuisat, Jean-Pierre Raczynski, Gérard Castella, Marcel Parietti, Robert Lei Ravello, Claude Ryf, Robert Kok, Stefano Crescenzi and Erich Burgener, beat FC Zurich 4 goals to 3, at the end of a suspenseful match. And in front of 40,000 spectators – including many Vaudois supporters – gathered at the Wankdorf stadium in Bern.
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of this victory, which many Lausanne Sport fans remember with emotion, the club is organizing a big evening dedicated to friendship and sharing at the Tuilière stadium, this Saturday, June 6, from 6 p.m. An evening in which the players of the victorious team will participate. And which will continue in music.
Why celebrate this 45th anniversary, rather than the 50th? “We actually meet every year privately. But this year, we decided to share this celebration with loved ones, friends, supporters. Saturday, in principle, all players will be able to be present. Who tells us that this will be the case in five years,” confides, smiling, Robert Lei Ravello, one of the heroes of the famous final.
Crescenzi in force
This final, in fact, let’s talk about it. “We went to Bern by bus, relaxed, mentally ready,” remembers Robert Kok. We ate… We didn’t really have any pressure but rather everything to gain.” “Our victory in the semi-final gave us confidence. We came back from a training camp in the Sychelles, tanned,” adds Robert Lei Ravello.
Widely favored, FC Zurich opened the scoring through Heinz Lüdi. But in the second half, Kok equalized. The Germans quickly regained the advantage, thanks to a penalty converted by Gianpietro Zappa. “I also remember scoring a volley like in training! Perfect, on target… But the Zurich goalkeeper stopped it,” says Robert Lei Ravello. Later, on a perfect cross from Georges Diserens, Yves Mauron equalized for Lausanne Sport. Historic extensions then began.
“We felt good because we were a team of good friends who knew each other well,” explains Robert Kok. And Burgener, in the Lausanne goals, did a great job.” On the bench, Charly Hertig and Richard Dürr were biting their nails… But it was a match event that would tip the scales towards LS. “Following a technical movement, I tore the back of my thigh,” says Robert Lei Ravello. Impossible for me to continue the match. It actually took me four months to get over it.” Then enters Stefano Crescenzi.
Served by Robert Kok following a dazzling counterattack, Crescenzi gives LS the advantage for the first time in the game. “I felt we were going to win, we were going to do it, the train was moving,” said Lei Ravello. Barely a few minutes later, the same Crescenzi got rid of the Zurich goalkeeper and scored Lausanne’s fourth goal. Although the Germans scored a third goal, nothing worked: Lausanne won this final, to the cheers of the French-speaking supporters.
Bringing a stone to the building
“It was an immense joy. And a certain emotion for me because it was my first haircut. Lausanne has always been special to me. I have great memories of it, confides Robert Kok. It was crazy.” The return to Lausanne will be triumphant. “We felt during the match that the public had taken a liking to us. So seeing these thousands of supporters celebrating us, honoring the team, I will never forget it, explains Robert Lei Ravello, still visibly moved. And then, it was important for us to follow in the footsteps of our glorious LS predecessors. A way to honor them, too, to make a contribution. Think, I had done all my football classes at the club. So, winning the Swiss Cup final…”
“We realized the significance of this victory afterwards, by meeting the supporters and seeing the impact of the victory on the public,” adds Robert Kok, who has another amusing memory of this victory: “Some supporters found that my hair was too long. They asked me to cut them. And I did,” he laughs.
There will be no shortage of anecdotes next Saturday evening during the special anniversary evening organized at the Tuilière stadium. An opportunity not to be missed for Lausanne Sport fans.
LS evening of the 45th anniversary of the Swiss Cup
Saturday June 6, 2026, from 6 p.m., at the Tuilière stadium
Tickets to be found here.
Jaydlia Session to music
Aurelia, Jayde and Oliver form Jaydlia Session.
Jaydlia SessionThe musical part of this anniversary evening will be provided by a French-speaking Swiss group, Jaydlia Session, composed of DJ Aurelia, saxophonist Oliver and singer Jayde. The latter explains: “The show will be composed of classic covers but also some original titles”, in an electro sound that the young woman likes, who is currently working with an accomplice from Zurich on new pieces. And, who knows, an album. “My father is a pianist and I have been singing since I was very young. I had worked with an American manager for five years, in Los Angeles, London and Paris,” explains Jayde, passionate about music and singing. Regarding Jaydlia Session, which will occur on Saturday evening, Jayde, Aurelia and Oliver have been working together for a year. The group’s presence at La Tuilière is no coincidence: “For personal reasons, this victory in 1981 touches me. I am moved and proud every time I see these images,” confides Jayde.
