The Swiss champions beat Vikingur Reykjavik 3-0 in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round, ending a losing streak that began with a dramatic elimination at the hands of the Croatian champions.
Thun's footballers defeated Iceland's Vikingur Reykjavik 3-0 in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round. The match was played on August 6, 2026, and the Swiss champions thus moved within a step of the competition's play-off round.
The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute. Fabio Fehr delivered a corner, and captain Jan Bamert headed it into the net for 1-0. Just six minutes later, Brighton Labeau, with help from Marco Gutbub, doubled the lead.
The Icelanders found the net in the 32nd minute through Stígur Thórdarson, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR intervention. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Fabio Saiz sealed the final 3-0 from distance. The return leg will be played next Thursday in Reykjavik.
Thun reached the Europa League after a dramatic elimination by Dinamo in the Champions League second qualifying round. The first match in Switzerland ended 1-1, and in the return leg at Maksimir in Zagreb, the visitors took a 2-0 lead with goals from Labeau and Marc Bürki. Dinamo fought back, forced extra time, and Moris Valinčić scored for 3-2, making it 4-3 on aggregate.
The Swiss side did not quickly recover from that blow. In their first match after Zagreb, they suffered a 6-0 home defeat against Young Boys in the second round of the Swiss league. Young Boys led 3-0 at halftime, with goals from Joël Monteiro, Lewin Blum, and Edimilson Fernandes. In the second half, Samuel Essende, Kastriot Imeri, and Essende again added to the tally.
This heavy loss was unexpected because Thun surprised everyone last season by winning their first Swiss league title, just a year after returning to the top flight. The victory over Vikingur halted a two-game losing streak. If Thun get past the Icelandic club, they will face the winner of the tie between Poland's Lech and KÍ Klaksvík from the Faroe Islands in the Europa League play-off round.
