1942–43 Swiss Cup

Preamble In Switzerland during the second world war, sport became an integral part of the "spiritual national defense". This was a political and cultural movement that had already become increasingly important during the late 1930s. Politicians, intellectuals and media professionals had increasingly called for measures to strengthen Switzerland's basic cultural values. As football games were also considered to be one of the activities that seemed important for maintaining the morale of the population, the military authorities put considerably fewer obstacles in the way of the top players and the clubs as they had during the previous World War. Format This season's cup competition began with a preliminary round, which was played on the week-end of 30 August 1942. The competition was to be completed on Easter Monday, 26 April 1943, with the final, which since 1937, was traditionally held in the country's capital, at the former Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. The preliminary round was held for the lower league teams that had not qualified themselves for the competition. The lower league teams that had qualified via their regional football association's own cup competitions, or had achieved their association's requirements, joined the competition in the first round. The clubs from this season's 1. Liga were given a bye for the first round and started in the second round. The clubs from the 1942–43 Nationalliga were given byes for the first three rounds. These teams joined the competition in the fourth round. With one exception, these games were played on the week-end of 3 January 1943. The matches were played in a knockout format. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. In the event of a draw at the end of extra time, if agreed between the clubs, a replay was foreseen and this was played on the visiting team's pitch. Rules and regulations to this situation were altered and amended continuously by each regional football assocciation, due to the current situation (second world war). If the replay ended in a draw after extra time, or if a replay had not been agreed, a toss of a coin would establish the team that qualified for the next round. ==Preliminary round==

The lower league teams that had not qualified themselves for the competition via their regional football association's own regional cup competitions or had not achieved their association's requirements, competed here in a kind of second chance round. Reserve teams were not admitted to the competition. The draw respected local regionalities. The preliminary round was played on Saturday 30 August 1942 and was contested by 108 teams. Summary • Note: the match ES Malley–Rapid Lausanne was played in Lutry. ;Replay • Note to the replay Red Star–Bülach: date of play and result remain unknown, but Bülach qualified for the next round. ==Round 1==

In the first round, the lower league teams that had already qualified themselves for the competition through their regional football association's own regional requirements competed here, together with the winners of the preliminary round. All the teams from this years 1. Liga were given a bye and they started in the next round. Whenever possible, the draw respected local regionalities. Most of the games of the first round were played on Saturday 27 September, however, some games were played a few weeks later. Summary ;Replay ;Second replay Matches ---- • Schönenwerd and Sporting Club Aarau both played the 1942/1943 season in the 3. Liga (fourth tier) ---- ==Round 2==

The winning teams from the first round were joined by the teams from this years 1. Liga to compete in the second round. Summary • Note: the result of the match Malley–Chippis was annulled and replayed in Chippis. ;Replays Matches ---- • Aarau played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier), Lengnau in the 2. Liga (third tier). ---- ==Round 3==

Summary • The match Derendingen–Bern was played in Bern. ;Replay Matches ---- • Tössfeld played the 1942/43 season in the 2. Liga (third tier) ---- ==Round 4==

The teams from the this season's Nationalliga, who had received a bye for the first three rounds, entered the cup competition in this round. The teams from the Nationalliga were seeded and could not be drawn against each other. Whenever possible, the draw respected local regionalities. The fourth round was played on the first Sunday in the new year, with one exception played a week earlier. Summary • Note: The match St.Gallen–SV Schaffhausen was played in Schaffhausen. ;Re-dated ;Replays Matches ---- • Pratteln played the 1942/43 season in the 2. Liga (third tier) ---- • Helvetia played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier) ---- • Aarau played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier) ---- ---- • Montreux played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier) ---- ==Round 5==

Summery • Note: The match Étoile-Sporting–Servette was played in Geneva. ;Re-dated Matches ---- ---- • Schaffhausen played the 1942/43 season in the 2. Liga (third tier) ---- • Brühl played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier) ---- • Étoile-Sporting played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier) ---- ==Quarter-finals==

Summary Matches ---- • La Chaux-de-Fonds played the 1942/43 season in the 1. Liga (second tier) ---- • Grenchen played the 1942/43 season in the 2. Liga (third tier) ---- ---- ---- ==Semi-finals==

Summary Matches ---- ---- ---- ==Final==

The final was traditionally held in the capital Bern, at the former Wankdorf Stadium, on Easter Monday. Summary Telegram ---- ---- Grasshopper Club won the cup and this was the club's 10th cup title to this date. Two months later, on 20 June 1943, they also finished the league as champions, therefore, they secured themselves the double for the second time in a row and it was the fourth time in their history that they had achieved the double to this date. ==Further in Swiss football==

• 1942–43 Nationalliga • 1942–43 Swiss 1. Liga ==References==