Grasshoppers Club Zurich
Austrian football team.
Grasshopper Club Zürich, commonly known as Grasshoppers or simply GC, is a professional football club based in Zürich, Switzerland. Founded in 1886 by English student Tom E. Griffith, it is the oldest and most successful football club in Swiss football history. The club plays its home games at the Letzigrund stadium, which they have shared with city rivals FC Zürich since 2007.
Grasshoppers' colors are blue and white, inspired by the kit of Blackburn Rovers, and they are nicknamed "Die Hoppers" (The Hoppers). Throughout their long and illustrious history, Grasshoppers have won a record 27 Swiss Super League titles and 19 Swiss Cups, making them the most decorated club in Switzerland.
The club's first major success came in 1898 when they won the inaugural Swiss championship. They continued to dominate Swiss football in the early 20th century, winning multiple titles before and after World War I. Grasshoppers experienced their most successful period in the late 1920s and early 1930s under the management of Hungarian coach Izidor "Dori" Kürschner, who led them to several league and cup victories.
Grasshoppers have also made their mark in European competitions. Their most notable achievement came in the 1977-78 UEFA Cup, where they reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Bastia on away goals. The club has regularly participated in European tournaments, including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
Grasshoppers have a fierce rivalry with FC Zürich, with whom they contest the Zürich Derby. These matches are among the most anticipated fixtures in the Swiss football calendar and often draw large crowds.
In recent years, Grasshoppers have faced challenges both on and off the pitch. Financial difficulties and inconsistent performances led to their relegation from the Swiss Super League in 2019, ending a 68-year stay in the top flight. However, the club bounced back, winning promotion in 2021 and returning to the Super League. As of 2024, Grasshoppers continue to compete in the Swiss Super League, aiming to reclaim their position as one of Switzerland's top clubs