In a season that will be talked about for generations, FC Thun have officially become Swiss Super League champions for the first time in their 128-year history. The club from the Bernese Oberland achieved the unthinkable on Sunday, securing the title with three games to spare in what can only be described as a footballing miracle.
The triumph is even more staggering given the context: Thun were only promoted from the Challenge League last season and entered the campaign with one of the smallest budgets in the top flight.
A Wait Worth Every Second
Ironically, the championship was not won on the pitch, but in front of television screens. Following a frustrating 3-1 defeat to FC Basel on Saturday, Thun fans had to wait and hope for a result elsewhere. That result came on Sunday afternoon when FC Sion thrashed second-placed St. Gallen 3-0.
The loss for St. Gallen left them 11 points behind the leaders with only nine points left to play for, mathematically confirming Thun as the kings of Switzerland. As the final whistle blew in St. Gallen, the town of Thun erupted, with thousands of supporters flooding the Rathausplatz to celebrate a feat similar to Leicester City’s legendary 2016 Premier League win.
From the Second Tier to the Top of the World
Under the guidance of manager Mauro Lustrinelli—a legend who played for the club during their famous 2005 Champions League run—Thun have been the revelation of the year. They seized top spot in October and refused to let go, building a lead that eventually proved unassailable despite a late-season wobble.
“This is for the city, the fans, and every person who believed when we were in the second division just a year ago,” an emotional Lustrinelli said during the impromptu celebrations at the Stockhorn Arena.
Champions League Return
The title win brings more than just a trophy; it secures FC Thun a spot in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League. It marks their return to Europe’s elite competition exactly 20 years after their debut participation in 2005.
While the “traditional” giants like Young Boys and Basel have struggled for consistency this season, Thun’s unity and clinical edge have redefined the landscape of Swiss football. The underdogs didn’t just bite—they took the whole crown.
