FC Basel
Encyclopedia
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss
football club based in Basel
. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League
14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the title a total of seven times between 1967 and 1980. The 1980s saw hard times for Basel as they had an absence from European competition for many years and they were relegated in 1987. In the 2000s Basel returned to the top of Swiss football; winning their first title for 22 years in 2002 and another five titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2011.
They have competed in European competition
every season since 1999–2000. In the 2001–02 season the club reached the UEFA Intertoto Cup
final, losing to Aston Villa
, in the 2002/03 season they qualified for the Second Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League
and in the 2005/06 season they reached the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Cup. They have been in the Champions League more times than any other Swiss club (a total of 4 times) and are the first and only Swiss club to have ever qualified directly for the Champions League group-stages.
, Switzerland
. One of the early club captains was Joan Gamper
, who later founded FC Barcelona
in Spain
. FC Basel did not have much of an early footballing success; it took them 40 years to win their first trophy, winning the Swiss Cup in 1933 when they defeated arch-rivals and reigning cup-holders Grasshopper-Club Zürich
4–3, in what is now considered to be one of the best cup finals in Swiss football history. They also won the cup in 1947 when they beat Lausanne Sports, who also finished runners-up the previous year, 3–0. Basel won their first league title
in 1953, with club legend René Bader
as manager. They finished three points above BSC Young Boys
.
n manager Georges Sobotka
at the helm, Basel stormed to Swiss Cup glory by overcoming Grasshopper-Club Zürich
2–0 in the final. But, FCB (which is pronounced "Eff Cee Bee" in Swiss German
) came to prominence in the late 1960s under the management of Helmut Benthaus
and with quality players such as René Hasler
, Ottmar Hitzfeld
and Karl Odermatt
. Benthaus' first league win as Basel manager was in 1967, finishing a single point above FC Zürich. A cup final victory over Lausanne Sports also came later in the season. This led to Basel qualifying to play in the European Cup
, for the first time, in 1968. Basel were knocked out of the tournament in the First Round, however, by Danish side
Akademisk Boldklub
. Basel's next league win came in 1969, when they once again finished just one point above the runners-up, who this time were Lausanne Sports. This meant that Basel could embark on another European adventure, but they, once again, failed to overcome the first hurdle, who were Celtic
of Scotland
. In the 1969/70 season, Basel won the league by one point over Lausanne Sports, once again. The European Cup
was a little kinder to Basel in 1970, as they reached the Second Round, losing to Ajax, after defeating Soviets
Spartak Moscow
in the First Round. Basel did not retain their title the next season despite finishing with the same amount of points as the winners, Grasshopper-Club Zürich
, who won it on head-to-head. After a trophy-less season, Basel then won two league titles in-a-row, in 1972 and '73. They also won the League Cup
in 1973. In Europe, Basel failed to impress, once again, in 1972, as they were sent crashing out at the first stage by Hungary's Újpesti Dózsa SC
but in the 1973/74 season they excelled; eliminating Icelanders Fram Reykjavík
and Club Brugge of Belgium, before narrowly exiting in the Quarter-Finals to Celtic
5–6 on aggregate. Despite Basel's improvement on the European stage
, they did not retain the league for another four years, but they did manage to lift the Swiss Cup in 1975, beating FC Winterthur
2–1 after extra time. Basel's long awaited title-win came in 1977 as they triumphed over Servette FC
in a playoff. This meant that Basel returned to play in the European Cup
but they were defeated in the First Round, once more, by FC Wacker Innsbruck
of Austria, after showing so much promise on their last European outing. After the success of the 1976/77 season, Basel endured two seasons of below-par performances and mid-table finishes until glory returned in in 1980, as Basel won the Nationalliga A
title through the playoff. However, manager
Helmut Benthaus
left in 1982 and in the following seasons, Basel's final league positions started to drop until their relegation into the Nationalliga B in 1988. Several managers came and went at St. Jakob Stadium
between then and when Basel finally returned to Nationalliga A
in 1994, under Claude Andrey
. Basel avoided relegation by three points in their first season back at the top-flight, but Andrey left and was replaced by Karl Engel
. Engel led Basel to a fifth-place finish in his first season in charge and a solid mid-table finish in 1997, but he was sacked after a poor start to the 1997/98 campaign, in which Basel finished second-bottom. Jörg Berger
then took over, but lasted only a year in charge before Christian Gross
came. Gross' appointment went hand-in-hand with the financial backing that had just been put into the club and it was not long until Basel returned to the top.
When St. Jakob-Park
was opened in 2001, success returned. In 2002 FCB won the Double (Swiss Championship
and Swiss Cup) and reached the final of the UEFA Intertoto Cup
. In the following season they were the second Swiss team to ever play in the Champions League
. Their first game was in the Second Qualifying Round against MŠK Žilina
of Slovakia
. They won 4–1 on aggregate. In the next round they faced Scottish
giants Celtic F.C.
. In the first leg at Celtic Park
the home side won 3–1, but in the second leg at St. Jakob-Park
, FCB came away with a famous 2–0 victory. This meant Basel progressed on the away goals rule after a 3–3 aggregate draw. In the First Group Stage, FCB were drawn into Group B with Valencia
, Liverpool
and Spartak Moscow
. On Matchday One, Basel defeated Spartak 2–0 at home. Then on Matchday Two, FCB travelled to Anfield
where they managed to draw 1–1 against Liverpool. After a great start to the group stage, FCB were brought back down to earth when they were defeated 6–2 by Valencia at the Estadio Mestalla. They bounced back, however, and held Valencia to a 2–2 draw in the next fixture. Basel were now sitting in second place in the group but they would still need to win at least one of their last two games and hope that Liverpool would not pick up more than two points to secure that place. In Matchday Five, Liverpool lost 1–0 to Valencia and FCB won 2–0 against Spartak at the Luzhniki Stadium
. Basel's place in the last 16 was all but secured, although they still had to make sure they did not lose to Liverpool in the last game of the first group stage. On the last Matchday Basel were winning 3–0 at half-time through goals from Julio Hernán Rossi
, Christian Eduardo Giménez and Thimothée Atouba. The second half was a different story, though, and Liverpool fought back to draw 3–3. This was still enough for FCB to qualify for the Second Group Stage. In the last 16, Basel faced Manchester United
, Juventus
and Deportivo de La Coruña
. They had a poor start, losing back to back games against Manchester United at home and Juventus away. FCB then faced Deportivo in a double-header, with the home side winning 1–0 in both games. Arguably two of FCB's greatest games came next as they held Manchester United to a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford
and claimed a 2–1 victory over Juventus at St. Jakob-Park
. Despite picking up the same number of points as second placed Juventus, Basel crashed out on goal difference. Basel finished second in the Swiss Super League
that season and won the Swiss Cup after beating Neuchâtel Xamax
6–0 in the final.
After being the surprise package in Europe
in the 2002/03 season, Basel could not bring this form into the UEFA Cup in 2003/04 as they were eliminated by Newcastle United
in the second round after defeating Malatyaspor
in the previous round.
The club did go on to achieve some success in the Europe in 2004/05, though, as they were dropped into the UEFA Cup after being eliminated by Inter Milan
in the Qualification Stage of the UEFA Champions League
. After they defeated Russia
n side FC Terek Grozny
in the First Round they faced considerabley tougher opponents Feyenoord Rotterdam, FC Schalke 04
, Ferencvárosi TC and Heart of Midlothian
in the Group Stage. They drew 1–1 away to Schalke, were defeated 2–1 at home by Hearts, beat Ferencváros 2–1 at Stadium Puskás Ferenc
and won 1–0 against Feyenoord at home. They finished third in the group on seven points and qualified for the Round of 32 where they were defeated 2–0 on aggregate by Lille OSC
. Basel also won the Domestic Title
during the 2004/05 campaign.
and Kōji Nakata
who were brought in to replace Patrick Müller
, who was set to sign for Olympique Lyonnais
, and the retiring Murat Yakın
. Forward Eduardo
was signed after a successful loan spell but Argentinian
goalscorers Christian Giménez and Julio Hernán Rossi
left the club.
As Swiss champions, Basel entered the UEFA Champions League
third qualifying round against German Bundesliga
club Werder Bremen
. Basel won the first leg 2–1 at St. Jakob Park
but lost 3–0 at the Weserstadion
in the second leg, the aggregate 4–2 in Werder's favour. Basel were then dropped into the UEFA Cup where they met NK Široki Brijeg
of Bosnia and Herzegovina
in the First Round. Basel sealed a 6–0 aggregate win and were drawn into Group E alongside RC Strasbourg
, A.S. Roma
, Red Star Belgrade
and Tromsø I.L.. FCB lost the first group match 2–0 against Strasbourg at home but won 2–1 away to Red Star, giving themselves an opportunity to progress to the next round if they won their next game against Tromsø. They did in a seven-goal thriller, winning 4–3 and securing 3rd place. The last match of the group was against Italian
giants Roma at the Stadio Olimpico
where the Serie A
club won 3–1. In the Round of 32 FCB came up against AS Monaco
who they beat 2–1 on aggregate after a 1–1 stalemate in Monaco
and a 1–0 victory for Basel in Switzerland
. As Basel progressed to the last 16 they played against Strasbourg once again. FCB won the first leg 2–0 and drew 2–2 in the second leg, winning 4–2 overall. In the Quarter-Finals the club came up against Middlesbrough
. FCB won 2–0 at home and looked certain to progress as they travelled to the Riverside Stadium
. This was not the case, however, as the Englishmen
fought back to win the match 4–1 and the tie 4–3.
On February 26, 2006 FC Basel broke their own club record of 52 unbeaten league games in the St. Jakob Park
. The new record is 59, but the streak ended there on the final day of the season with a last-minute goal by Iulian Filipescu
of FC Zürich, knocking Basel out of contention and giving Zürich their first national championship since 1980/81. A sixtieth straight home league match undefeated would have made Basel champions once again, but the final score was 1-2 in favour of Zürich, this resulted in riots and property damage by hooligans of both the FCB and their rival after the match (see 2006 Basel Hooligan Incident
for more details).
season. The most notable of these were the replacement of local hero Pascal Zuberbühler
, who departed for West Bromwich Albion
, with Argentine internationalist
Franco Costanzo
and the signing of Delron Buckley
on loan from Borussia Dortmund
. Zdravko Kuzmanović
left the club during the Winter break for Fiorentina
.
FC Basel's European campaign started in the first qualifying stage of the UEFA Cup when they beat Kazakhi
side FC Tobol
3–1 on aggregate. In the second round they played against Liechtenstein
er team FC Vaduz
, narrowly progressing on the away goals rule
after a 2–2 aggregate draw. They were then put up against Macedonians FK Rabotnički
. Basel won 6–2 at St. Jakob-Park
and 1–0 at the Skopje City Stadium to qualify for the group stages where they faced tough opposition, Blackburn Rovers
of England
, AS Nancy
of France
, Feyenoord of The Netherlands
and Wisła Kraków of Poland
. Basel's first game came against Feyenoord at home. They came away with a respectable 1–1 draw. Their next group match was at Ewood Park
against Blackburn Rovers. Basel played reasonably well but shaky defending became their downfall. AS Nancy, at home, were their next opponents and the match ended in a 2–2 draw. Basel's last group game was against Wisła Kraków at the Wisła Stadium. FCB needed a win to qualify but their poor European campaign came to an end after losing 3–1 despite taking an early lead through Mladen Petrić
.
Basel won the Swiss Cup after beating FC Luzern
1–0. The winning goal came from the penalty spot through Daniel Majstorović
in the 93rd minute.
FCB finished in second place in the Swiss Super League
, just one point behind winners FC Zürich. This was despite the club defeating Zürich in all three of their meetings in that league campaign.
Marco Streller
from VfB Stuttgart
, Benjamin Huggel
from Eintracht Frankfurt
and David Degen
on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach
. Fans' favourite Mladen Petrić
joined Borussia Dortmund
in a big-money deal and influential defender Boris Smiljanić
returned to his former club Grasshopper-Club Zürich
. Highly rated Switzerland Under-21 defender Beg Ferati
arrived at St. Jakob-Park
in January from feeder club FC Concordia Basel
on a three-and-a-half year contract. He was joined by veteran striker Vratislav Lokvenc
from Red Bull Salzburg and exciting midfielder Marko Perović from Red Star Belgrade
who also arrived during the Winter break.
Basel were drawn against Bosnia
n minnows FK Sarajevo
in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, a tie that Basel won 8–1 on aggregate. In the next round Basel faced a considerably tougher opponent in the form of SV Mattersburg
of Austria
. Nonetheless, Basel finished the tie off with a 4–0 away win after a 2–1 victory at St. Jakob-Park
. Basel were then drawn into a 'death group' of Group D alongside SK Brann, NK Dinamo Zagreb, Hamburger SV
and Stade Rennais FC, all of which were ranked within the top 3 of their own leagues at the start of the stage. Basel won their first UEFA Cup group game against Rennes at home 1–0 thanks to a Marco Streller
header. Their next game was away to Dinamo Zagreb in which Basel earned a valuable away point thanks to on form goalkeeper Franco Costanzo
who kept the game at 0–0 for 90 minutes. They then faced Brann at St. Jakob-Park
where they won 1–0 through a Carlitos
free-kick and were highly praised for playing attractive and flowing football. Basel then went to Germany to face Hamburg
at the HSH Nordbank Arena where they were fortunate to escape with a 1–1 draw. The goals came courtesy of captain Ivan Ergić
and Hamburg
's Ivica Olić
. Basel then faced Sporting Clube de Portugal in the last 32 after qualifying 2nd in the group alongside 1st placed Hamburg
and 3rd placed Brann. Sporting Lisbon finished third in their group in the UEFA Champions League
, which is why they were dropped into the UEFA Cup. The first leg took place on the 13th of February in Lisbon
where the first choice goalkeeper, Franco Costanzo
, was injured and Basel lost 2–0. The second leg did not fair any better for Basel. Costanzo
remained injured and Basel lost 3–0 on the 21st of February in Basel
, resulting in the knock out of the UEFA Cup.
FC Basel won the Swiss Cup for the second consecutive season after beating second-tier side AC Bellinzona
4–1 at St. Jakob-Park
on Sunday 6 April 2008. Eren Derdiyok
gave Basel the lead in the first half before Bellinzona
equalised through Christian Pouga
in the second. Daniel Majstorović
restored the lead for Basel with a header and Swiss internationalists
Marco Streller
and Benjamin Huggel
scored one goal each to make the final scoreline 4–1 in Basel's favour.
Basel won the Swiss Super League
for the first time since 2005 on the 10 May 2008 at St. Jakob-Park
after a 2–0 win over title threats BSC Young Boys
. It was the last game of the season and Basel only needed a point from the match to win the Championship but if Young Boys
won then they would be champions, exactly the same situation as the end of the 2005/06 season, only it was between Basel and FC Zürich then. The painful memories of losing the league on the last day of the season in 2006 seemed to spur FCB on as they took an early lead through Valentin Stocker
before Marco Streller
wrapped up the victory with the second.
This rounded off a highly successful season for Basel as they conquered on the domestic front, winning both the Swiss Super League
and Swiss Cup, and reaching the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.
from Malmö FF
and David Abraham from Gimnàstic de Tarragona
, and midfielders Jürgen Gjasula
and Marcos Gelabert
from FC St. Gallen
. Fans' favourite Daniel Majstorović
left the club for AEK Athens F.C. and Kōji Nakata
returned to Japan
with Kashima Antlers
, while Vratislav Lokvenc
and David Degen
's loan deals were not re-newed. Ivan Ergić
resigned from being club captain before the start of the season, and Franco Costanzo
was unveiled as the new captain a day before the season kicked off.
Basel played their opening game of the season in Bern on 18 July 2008 against BSC Young Boys
, which they won 2–1 with goals coming from substitutes Marko Perović and Benjamin Huggel
after Eudis
put the home side ahead.
Basel entered the Champions League
in the Second Qualifying Round and were drawn against IFK Göteborg
of Sweden
. The first leg was on July 30, 2008 at Ullevi
and finished 1–1. Benjamin Huggel
put Basel ahead before Thomas Olsson
equalised for the home team. The second leg took place on August 6 at St. Jakob-Park
; with Basel coming from behind twice to win 4–2. Pontus Wernbloom
put Göteborg ahead on 19 minutes before Benjamin Huggel
equalised soon after. Early in the second half Robin Söder
restored Göteborg's lead. But Basel fought back, with Scott Chipperfield
equalising. Then Basel got a penalty due to a supposed hands ball in the box. Replays showed that the referee had made the wrong decision. The penalty was scored, and eventually led to the victory. Basel then faced Vitória S.C. of Portugal
in the Third Qualifying Round. The first leg at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
, on August 13, ended honours even, in a 0–0 draw. The second leg took place on August 27 at St. Jakob-Park
where Valentin Stocker
gave Basel an early lead on 11 minutes before João Alves
was fouled in the penalty area by François Marque and João Fajardo
dispatched the spot-kick, just four minutes later to draw Vitória level. In the second half, the away side started well but Eren Derdiyok
gave FCB a 2–1 lead which they hung on to, to qualify for the UEFA Champions League
Group Stages.
FCB were drawn into Group C alongside FC Barcelona
, FC Shakhtar Donetsk
and Sporting Clube de Portugal. Basel lost their opening game 2–1 at St. Jakob-Park
on September 16 against Shakhtar
. Fernandinho
put the Ukrainians
ahead on 25 minutes before Jádson
doubled their lead just before half time. David Abraham scored a late consolation goal for the home team. Sporting Lisbon were the opponents on Matchday 2 (October 1) and despite defending well and causing a few scares at the other end of the park, Basel were defeated 2–0 at the Estádio José Alvalade
. On Matchday 3 (October 22), Barcelona
visited Basel and came away with a 5–0 win, but a fortnight later it was a different story as FCB came away with a respectable 1–1 draw at the Camp Nou
, with Eren Derdiyok
scoring a late equaliser after Lionel Messi
put Barça ahead. On November 26, Basel travelled to Ukraine, to play Shakhtar, where they were thrashed 5–0. Basel then faced Sporting at home on the final Matchday (December 9) and were defeated 1–0.
On 16 April 2009, FCB were eliminated from the Swiss Cup
in the Semi-Final after losing 3–2 on penalties to Young Boys
. The score was 0–0 after 90 minutes and extra time.
Despite remaining in first or second position for most of the season, Basel finished in third place behind FC Zürich and Young Boys
. On May 24, 2009, Basel lost 4–1 against Grasshopper-Club Zürich
, meaning that they could no longer win the Swiss Super League
and that FC Zürich were crowned champions. Three days later, on May 27, FCB lost 3–0 to Young boys, therefore also surrendering the Vice-Championship. On May 27, Christian Gross
was sacked from his role as FC Basel manager after ten years in the job.
Thorsten Fink
was appointed as Basel's new manager on June 9, 2009. The new manager let several players go by not extending their contracts. These were Ronny Hodel
, Jürgen Gjasula
, Ivan Ergić
and Eduardo
. Star striker Eren Derdiyok
was also sold to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and Eduardo Rubio
returned to Cruz Azul after his loan was not made permanent. A number of players were brought into the first team from the under-21 squad to replace them, however, and a number of other new players were signed; the highest profile being Alexander Frei from Borussia Dortmund
. Others included Turkish
Çağdaş Atan
from Energie Cottbus, Ghana
ian Samuel Inkoom
from Asante Kotoko
, Massimo Colomba
from rivals Grasshopper
and Brazil
ian Antônio da Silva on loan from Karlsruher SC
.
Basel entered the Europa League in the second qualifying round and were drawn against Andorra
ns Santa Colma
. The first leg at St. Jakob-Park
ended 3–0 in Basel's favour, with Serkan Şahin
, Marco Streller
and Federico Almerares
getting on the score sheet. The second leg at Estadi Comunal d'Aixovall ended in Basel emerging 4–1 victors, and 7–1 winners on aggregate. Streller (2), Marcos Gelabert
and Almerares scored the goals the second time around. FCB were then drawn against KR Reykjavík
of Iceland
in the third qualifying round. The first leg took place at KR-völlur
on July 30, and ended in a 2–2 draw. Early goals from Gudmundur Benediktsson and Grétar Sigurdsson gave the home side a 2–0 lead, before Scott Chipperfield
and Almerares drew Basel level. The second leg in Switzerland ended 3–1 to Basel, meaning they won 5–3 on aggregate and progressed to a two-legged play-off against FK Baku
of Azerbaijan
. Alexander Frei (2) and Xherdan Shaqiri
scored for FCB and Björgólfur Takefusa scored for the Icelanders. At the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
in Baku
, Fernando Nestor Pérez
put the locals 1–0 ahead just after half time. Basel turned it around, however, and won by three goals to one when they scored three goals in six minutes, coming from Streller (2) and Benjamin Huggel
. The second leg at home ended with Basel winning 5–1 on the night and 8–2 on aggregate, meaning that they qualified for the Europa League group stage. Almerares, Gelabert, Frei, Shaqiri and Orhan Mustafi
all contributed with Basel's goals while Felipe Almeida Félix
scored for the away side.
FCB were then drawn into Group E alongside A.S. Roma
(Italy
), Fulham
(England) and CSKA Sofia
(Bulgaria
). Basel started the group off with an impressive 2–0 win over Roma at home – Carlitos
and Federico Almerares
bagging the goals on September 17, 2009 – before narrowly losing their second match 1–0 in a tight encounter with Fulham
at Craven Cottage
on October 1. Their third match took place on October 22 and was against CSKA Sofia
at the Vasil Levski National Stadium
. Frei bagged two goals there to send Basel home with a 2–0 win. They also won the return leg, on November 5, by 3 goals to 1. Frei again bagged two goals, with Gelabert scoring the other. Todor Yanchev
scored for the visitors. After this, they lost 2–1 to Roma away, leaving their fate hinging on the final match against Fulham at home. In a close game, the English club narrowly won by three goals to two, sending Basel crashing out and finishing in third place.
In domestic affairs, Basel sweeped the board; despite a poor start to the season (at one point they sat in ninth place), FCB came back to win the title on the last day of the season against favourites BSC Young Boys
at the Stade de Suisse. Young prospect Valentin Stocker
and club legend Scott Chipperfield
gave Basel the goals in the 2–0 win on May 16.
On May 9, FC Basel won an outstanding 6–0 victory over FC Lausanne-Sport, with Stocker scoring twice, and Shaqiri, Zoua, Chipperfield and Huggel also getting onto the scoreboard. The win secured FC Basel's tenth Cup win.
began on Saturday 19 July 2010. Stefan Wessels, Marcos Gelabert, Antonio Da Silva, Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia "Carlitos" and Serkan Sahin left the club. Four players from the under-21 squad, the brothers Taulant and Granit Xhaka, Mattias Baron and Janick Kamber, were brought up to the first team. Yann Sommer
returned from his spell on loan to Grasshopper Club Zürich and Gilles Yapi Yapo
(BSC Young Boys
) and Fwayo Tembo
(Étoile Sportive du Sahel
) were bought to complete the new squad. FC Basel’s first game was on Tuesday 20 July at home against FC Zürich which resulted with a 3–2 win.
Basel entered the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round, drawn against Debreceni VSC
they won both games (2–0, 3–1). In the play-offs to the Champions League they are drawn against FC Sheriff Tiraspol
. In the first leg they defeated Tiraspol 1–0 before winning 3–0 on the road. Basel entered the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage
in group E.
began on Saturday 16 July 2011.
with around 30,000 fans attending every home game and with the new extension being built that number is expected to rise to around 40,000. The fans have also made themselves a name in numerous international matches in recent years.
Arguably, its most famous internationally recognisable fan is tennis star Roger Federer
. The current World No. 3 is a Basel native and has supported the club since his youth. In one interview Federer said if he were not as good of a tennis player as he is today, he would have without a doubt tried to play football. He went on to say that if he was successful in the beautiful game, he would have loved to play for FC Basel.
In November 2010 their supporters caused the game against FC Luzern to be stopped after they threw hundreds of tennis balls onto the pitch. This was in protest at the kick off times being moved to accommodate a tennis tournament on the TV schedule.
have a long-standing rivalry. Therefore, FC Basel's most traditional and fiercest rivals are Grasshopper-Club Zürich
and FC Zürich. In the past few seasons, the rivalry between FC Zürich and Basel and has been fueled by FC Zürich's league championship wins, which were won very narrowly over Basel. Supporters from both sides have caused trouble in the past years. The worst incident happened in May 2006. FC Basel had won the league in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons and were set to make it three in a row if they won or drew against Zürich at home on the last day of the 2005/06 season. But if Zürich won, they would get the title. Zürich took the lead after a late goal from Iulian Filipescu
and consequently won the match and the league. After the final whistle, players and fans from both teams started fighting on the pitch and in the stands. This incident has fueled hatred and bitterness between fans from FC Zürich and FC Basel. There is a controversy about which rivalry is bigger, the one with Grasshopper
or FC Zürich. But it usually depends on the success of these teams. Thus there is a peculiar situation in Switzerland between the three clubs that the more successful team on the football pitch at a certain time period is usually considered the bigger rival as well. For the past few years the success of both FC Basel and FC Zürich means their rivalry is considered the most fierce.
for having the Best youth system in the Super League
. It is often compared to the youth systems of Ajax, Celtic
and Real Madrid
and because of this FC Basel's youth academy is one of the Best in whole Europe. It has produced Swiss internationalists such as Philipp Degen
, Alexander Frei and Marco Streller
. Also, in more recent times, young talents like the Ecuador
ian international youngster Felipe Caicedo
, Croatia
n Ivan Rakitić
, Serbia
n Zdravko Kuzmanović
and the Swiss
Yann Sommer
along with Eren Derdiyok
have risen through the ranks there. Some successful players who have come through the Basel youth system are:
FC Basel play their home games at the 37,500 capacity St. Jakob-Park
which translates into English
as St. Jacob's Park. UEFA
have awarded the stadium a 4-star rating, the highest rating that could be given to a stadium of that capacity. St. Jakob-Park was opened in 2001, holding an attendance of 33,433, originally, but the stadium was upgraded to 42,500 due to Switzerland
being co-hosts of UEFA Euro 2008. After the Euro 2008 a number of seats were removed, thus creating more space between them, and the capacity is now 37,500 seats. The stadium is nicknamed "Joggeli" by the fans and has 2 restaurants called "Restaurant UNO" and "Hattrick's Sports Bar" and a shopping centre which opened on 1 November 2001. It also has parking space for 680 cars and has its own train station. St. Jakob-Park hosted 6 games during EURO 2008, including the opening game between Switzerland
and Czech Republic
and a semi-final between Germany
and Turkey
. The most interesting feature of the stadium is the translucent outer layer, which can be illuminated in different colours for impressive effects much like Bayern Munich
's Allianz Arena
.
Before the St. Jakob-Park stadium was built FC Basel played home games in the Landhof (in the Quarter Kleinbasel) and, following the 1954 World Cup, in the newly built St. Jakob Stadium
which was on the same site as the current stadium. During the construction period of the St. Jacob-Park the FC Basel home games were played in Stadion Schützenmatte
.
– FC Basel are the parent-club of local side Concordia who currently play in the Challenge League. Many of Basel's youth players, such as Patrik Baumann
, Beg Ferati
and Simone Grippo
, have had loan spells there. Basel have also signed a number players from Concordia, like Louis Crayton
and Murat Yakin
. Miroslav König
, Riccardo Meili
, André Muff
and Dominik Ritter
are just a few ex-Basel players who have gone on to play for Concordia.
FC Vaduz
– FC Basel are also like a parent-club to Vaduz who are the most successful team in Liechtenstein. Basel goalkeeper Yann Sommer
previously spent time on loan at Vaduz. Ex-Basel players Tim Grossklaus
, Orkan Avci, Damir Džombić
and Bruno Sutter
have played for Vaduz, Reto "Fussballgott" Zanni is currently playing for Vaduz. Also, Ex-Basel youth coach Heinz Hermann
was a manager at Vaduz.
and German for Red and Blue (literally "RedBlue"). Their away kit is all neon yellow with black trim. FC Basel's kits are manufactured by Nike
and sponsored by Novartis
, a multinational pharmaceutical company which is based in the city of Basel
.
The famous "Blaugrana" colours of FC Barcelona
are said to have originated from the "Rotblau" colours of FC Basel. FC Barcelona
was founded by former FC Basel captain Joan Gamper
. For the 2008/09 season, Basel changed their shirt to resemble the traditional Barcelona shirt (red and blue vertical stripes). Barcelona changed theirs to one half of the shirt red, the other blue, which happens to resemble the traditional FC Basel shirt.
FC Basel's current logo is a shield, the left half red and the right half blue. The shield is outlined with gold and in the centre in gold letters it says FCB which stands for "Fussballclub Basel" or "Football Club Basel". The logo is worn in the centre of the shirt opposed to on the traditional left-hand side. Like the colours of FC Basel, the logo has a striking resemblance to that of FC Barcelona
in Spain
. There are theories that suggest that the founder of FC Barcelona, being at one time the captain of FC Basel, reincorporated the logo of FC Basel on to that of FC Barcelona.
The resemblances seem clear, both logos seem to incorporate the shield design, as do most other clubs. But most notably is the FCB acronyms on both logos and the Red-Blue colours, outlined in gold. Also the football that lies on the left side of the FC Basel logo seems to be the exact shape, type and colour as that of the FC Barcelona Logo in the bottom centre. Because of this, many people tend to say that FC Basel was the inspiration in the process of founding FC Barcelona in Spain.
.
(*) : Also been in senior team squad.
Note: Results and dates can be found under 2011–12 NextGen series.
René Bader
Sébastien Barberis
Bruno Berner
René Botteron
Mario Cantaluppi
Massimo Ceccaroni
Frédéric Chassot
David Degen
Philipp Degen
Eren Derdiyok
Antonio Esposito
Alexander Frei Didier Gigon
Joan Gamper
Bernt Haas
Thomas Häberli
René Hasler
Heinz Hermann
Dominique Herr
Ernst Hufschmid
Benjamin Huggel
Josef Hügi
Gökhan İnler
Alfred Jäck
Leopold Kielholz
Adrian Knup
Oumar Kondé
Erni Maissen
André Muff
Patrick Müller
Karl Odermatt
Bruno Rahmen
Alexandre Rey
Marco Schällibaum
Boris Smiljanić
Kurt Stettler
Marco Streller
Valentin Stocker
Nestor Subiat
Beat Sutter
Marco Walker
Hans Weber
Hakan Yakın
Murat Yakın
Reto Zanni
Pascal Zuberbühler
Dario Zuffi
Marco Zwyssig
Argentina César Carignano Christian Giménez Franco Costanzo
Matías Delgado Julio Rossi
Australia
Scott Chipperfield
Ljubo Miličević
Mile Sterjovski
Austria Thomas Mandl
Bosnia and Herzegovina Vedad Ibišević
Admir Smajić
Brazil Kléber
Cristiano
Bulgaria Petar Aleksandrov
Cameroon Timothée Atouba Jean-Michel Tchouga
Hervé Tum
Chile Eduardo Rubio
Czech Republic Vratislav Lokvenc
Denmark Eigil Nielsen
Lars Olsen
Ecuador Felipe Caicedo
Georgia Mikhail Kavelashvili
Germany Helmut Benthaus
Franco Foda
Maurizio Gaudino
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Oliver Kreuzer
Axel Kruse
Harald Nickel
Stefan Reisch
Markus Schupp
Gerhard Strack
Ghana Samuel Inkoom
Alex Nyarko
Hungary Zoltán Czibor
Alfréd Schaffer
Japan Kōji Nakata
Liberia Louis Crayton
Liechtenstein Franz Burgmeier
Mario Frick
David Hasler
Netherlands Adrie van Kraay
Nigeria Ike Shorunmu
Norway Ørjan Berg
Peru Teófilo Cubillas
Portugal Carlitos
José Gonçalves
Romania Adrian Falub
Dan Potocianu
Russia Aleksandr Rytchkov
Scotland Gordon Smith
Senegal Papa Malick Ba
Serbia
Ivan Ergić
Zdravko Kuzmanović
Marko Perović
Slovakia Miroslav König
South Africa
Delron Buckley
George Koumantarakis
Sweden Daniel Majstorović
Behrang Safari
Singapore V. Sundramoorthy
Yugoslavia Radivoje Ognjanović
NOTE: Early history is largely unknown.
Percy Humphreys
(1913–14) Max Breunig
(1922–23) Gyula Kertész
(1928–30) Gustav Putzendople (1930–32) Otto Haftel (1932)Karl Kurz
(1932–33) Josef Haist (1933–34) Richard Dombi (1934) Alvin Riemke (1934–36) Heinz Körner (1936–37) Fernand Jaccard
(1937–39) Walter Dietrich
(1939) Max Galler (1939–40) Eugen Rupf (1940–43) Willy Wolf (1943–46) Max Barras (1946) Anton Schall
(1946–47) Ernst Hufschmid
(1947–52) René Bader
(1952–55) Willy Dürr (1955)
Béla Sárosi (1955–57) Rudi Strittich
(1957–58) René Bader
(1958–59) Jenő Vincze (1959–61) Georges Sobotka
(1961–65) Helmut Benthaus
(1965–82) Rainer Ohlhauser (1982–83) Ernst August Künnecke (1983–85) Emil Müller (1985) Helmut Benthaus
(1985–87) Urs Siegenthaler (1987–90) Ernst August Künnecke (1990–92) Karl Odermatt
and Bruno Rahmen
(1992) Friedel Rausch
(1992–93) Claude Andrey
(1993–95) Karl Engel
(1995–97) Jörg Berger
(1997–98) Guy Mathez
(1998–99) Christian Gross
(1999-09) Thorsten Fink
(2009–11) Heiko Vogel
(2011)
has operated the car for all seasons and Max Wissel has drove the car in all the races. FC Basel and Wissel have won 1 race, in the 2009 season
at Donington Park
. The team have scored 3 other podiums in the series.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
football club based in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the title a total of seven times between 1967 and 1980. The 1980s saw hard times for Basel as they had an absence from European competition for many years and they were relegated in 1987. In the 2000s Basel returned to the top of Swiss football; winning their first title for 22 years in 2002 and another five titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2011.
They have competed in European competition
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
every season since 1999–2000. In the 2001–02 season the club reached the UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
final, losing to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, in the 2002/03 season they qualified for the Second Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and in the 2005/06 season they reached the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Cup. They have been in the Champions League more times than any other Swiss club (a total of 4 times) and are the first and only Swiss club to have ever qualified directly for the Champions League group-stages.
The Early Years
FC Basel was started by an advertisement on the 12 November 1893 that appeared in the Basler national newspaper requesting that a football team be formed and that anyone that wished to join should meet up the next Wednesday at 8:15. So, on the 15th of November 1893, FC Basel was born in the city of BaselBasel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. One of the early club captains was Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper previously known as Hans Kamper was a Swiss football pioneer, player and club president. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Catalonia , most notably FC Basel, FC Zurich and FC Barcelona....
, who later founded FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in Spain
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
. FC Basel did not have much of an early footballing success; it took them 40 years to win their first trophy, winning the Swiss Cup in 1933 when they defeated arch-rivals and reigning cup-holders Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
4–3, in what is now considered to be one of the best cup finals in Swiss football history. They also won the cup in 1947 when they beat Lausanne Sports, who also finished runners-up the previous year, 3–0. Basel won their first league title
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
in 1953, with club legend René Bader
René Bader
René Bader is a Swiss football forward who played for Switzerland in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He also played for, and later managed, FC Basel.-External links:*...
as manager. They finished three points above BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
.
Rise and Fall
Basel won their first trophy of the new decade in 1963; with CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
n manager Georges Sobotka
Jirí Sobotka
Jiří Sobotka , aka Georges Sobotka, is a former Czechoslovak footballer, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia , and participated at the 1934 FIFA World Cup when Czechoslovakia came in second....
at the helm, Basel stormed to Swiss Cup glory by overcoming Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
2–0 in the final. But, FCB (which is pronounced "Eff Cee Bee" in Swiss German
Swiss German
Swiss German is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland and in some Alpine communities in Northern Italy. Occasionally, the Alemannic dialects spoken in other countries are grouped together with Swiss German as well, especially the dialects of Liechtenstein and Austrian Vorarlberg...
) came to prominence in the late 1960s under the management of Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus is a German retired football player and former coach. He spent his best playing days at Westfalia Herne and his best coaching days at FC Basel.-Playing career:...
and with quality players such as René Hasler
René Hasler
René Hasler is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel for most of his career, and the Swiss national team.-Career:...
, Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General ....
and Karl Odermatt
Karl Odermatt
Karl Odermatt is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel and BSC Young Boys throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played as a midfielder or striker and is generally regarded as one of the best players ever to have worn the FC Basel shirt...
. Benthaus' first league win as Basel manager was in 1967, finishing a single point above FC Zürich. A cup final victory over Lausanne Sports also came later in the season. This led to Basel qualifying to play in the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, for the first time, in 1968. Basel were knocked out of the tournament in the First Round, however, by Danish side
Danish 1st Division
The 1st Division has been the name of the second highest football league in Denmark since 1991. From 1945 to 1991 the 1st Division was the name of the highest level of football in Denmark...
Akademisk Boldklub
Akademisk Boldklub
Akademisk Boldklub or AB is a Danish professional football club from Copenhagen,currently playing at the second highest level in Danish domestic football, the 1st Division.-History:...
. Basel's next league win came in 1969, when they once again finished just one point above the runners-up, who this time were Lausanne Sports. This meant that Basel could embark on another European adventure, but they, once again, failed to overcome the first hurdle, who were Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
of Scotland
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. In the 1969/70 season, Basel won the league by one point over Lausanne Sports, once again. The European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
was a little kinder to Basel in 1970, as they reached the Second Round, losing to Ajax, after defeating Soviets
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
in the First Round. Basel did not retain their title the next season despite finishing with the same amount of points as the winners, Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
, who won it on head-to-head. After a trophy-less season, Basel then won two league titles in-a-row, in 1972 and '73. They also won the League Cup
Swiss League Cup
The Swiss League Cup was a football tournament which took place as a summer pre-season tournament in 1972 and 1973, and during the Swiss football season from 1974–75 to 1981–82...
in 1973. In Europe, Basel failed to impress, once again, in 1972, as they were sent crashing out at the first stage by Hungary's Újpesti Dózsa SC
Újpest FC
Újpest Football Club , earlier known as Újpesti TE and Újpesti Dózsa, is a Hungarian football club, based in Újpest, Budapest. The club's colours are purple and white...
but in the 1973/74 season they excelled; eliminating Icelanders Fram Reykjavík
Knattspyrnufélagið Fram
Knattspyrnufélagið Fram is an Icelandic sports club, best known for its football team. In European competitions it is known as Fram Reykjavík. It was founded on 1 May 1908 in Reykjavík. Based at Safamýri, located in the Laugardalur district of Reykjavík City Center. They are currently playing in...
and Club Brugge of Belgium, before narrowly exiting in the Quarter-Finals to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
5–6 on aggregate. Despite Basel's improvement on the European stage
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
, they did not retain the league for another four years, but they did manage to lift the Swiss Cup in 1975, beating FC Winterthur
FC Winterthur
FC Winterthur is a Swiss football club based in Winterthur, Canton of Zürich. They play in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football...
2–1 after extra time. Basel's long awaited title-win came in 1977 as they triumphed over Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
in a playoff. This meant that Basel returned to play in the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
but they were defeated in the First Round, once more, by FC Wacker Innsbruck
FC Wacker Innsbruck
FC Wacker Innsbruck was Austrian association football club from Innsbruck, Tyrol.- History :The Fußball-Club Wacker Innsbruck was established in 1915 by Jakob Hanspeter, Benedikt Hosp, Josef Leitner, Josef Albrecht and other now unknown football enthusiasts and adopted club colours of black and...
of Austria, after showing so much promise on their last European outing. After the success of the 1976/77 season, Basel endured two seasons of below-par performances and mid-table finishes until glory returned in in 1980, as Basel won the Nationalliga A
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
title through the playoff. However, manager
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus is a German retired football player and former coach. He spent his best playing days at Westfalia Herne and his best coaching days at FC Basel.-Playing career:...
left in 1982 and in the following seasons, Basel's final league positions started to drop until their relegation into the Nationalliga B in 1988. Several managers came and went at St. Jakob Stadium
St. Jakob Stadium
The St. Jakob Stadium was a football stadium in Basel, Switzerland and the former home of Swiss club FC Basel. It was built in 1954, and as well as serving as a club stadium, it hosted several important matches, including a 1954 FIFA World Cup semi-final and four Cup Winners' Cup finals.Tickets and...
between then and when Basel finally returned to Nationalliga A
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
in 1994, under Claude Andrey
Claude Andrey
Claude "Didi" Andrey is a former Swiss footballer, currently managing Yverdon-Sport FC in the Challenge League.-External links:...
. Basel avoided relegation by three points in their first season back at the top-flight, but Andrey left and was replaced by Karl Engel
Karl Engel
Karl Engel was a Swiss pianist.In 1952 Engel was awarded the second prize at the Queen Elisabeth competition. Throughout his concert career he cultivated the art song repertory and worked extensively on works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Robert Schumann...
. Engel led Basel to a fifth-place finish in his first season in charge and a solid mid-table finish in 1997, but he was sacked after a poor start to the 1997/98 campaign, in which Basel finished second-bottom. Jörg Berger
Jörg Berger
Jörg Berger was a German football manager and player, who last managed Arminia Bielefeld.- Coaching career :...
then took over, but lasted only a year in charge before Christian Gross
Christian Gross
Christian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
came. Gross' appointment went hand-in-hand with the financial backing that had just been put into the club and it was not long until Basel returned to the top.
Return of the Glory Days
| ]]}} |
| Basel's famous 2002/03 team |
When St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
was opened in 2001, success returned. In 2002 FCB won the Double (Swiss Championship
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
and Swiss Cup) and reached the final of the UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
. In the following season they were the second Swiss team to ever play in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. Their first game was in the Second Qualifying Round against MŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina is a Slovak football club, based in the town of Žilina. They play in the Slovak Superliga and are one of the most successful clubs in this competition, having won five championships since the league's inception in 1993. The club and their supporters alike are nicknamed Šošoni...
of Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. They won 4–1 on aggregate. In the next round they faced Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
giants Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. In the first leg at Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
the home side won 3–1, but in the second leg at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
, FCB came away with a famous 2–0 victory. This meant Basel progressed on the away goals rule after a 3–3 aggregate draw. In the First Group Stage, FCB were drawn into Group B with Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
. On Matchday One, Basel defeated Spartak 2–0 at home. Then on Matchday Two, FCB travelled to Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
where they managed to draw 1–1 against Liverpool. After a great start to the group stage, FCB were brought back down to earth when they were defeated 6–2 by Valencia at the Estadio Mestalla. They bounced back, however, and held Valencia to a 2–2 draw in the next fixture. Basel were now sitting in second place in the group but they would still need to win at least one of their last two games and hope that Liverpool would not pick up more than two points to secure that place. In Matchday Five, Liverpool lost 1–0 to Valencia and FCB won 2–0 against Spartak at the Luzhniki Stadium
Luzhniki Stadium
The Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex in Moscow, or briefly Luzhniki Stadium , is the biggest sports stadium in Russia. Its total seating capacity is 78,360 seats, all covered. The stadium is a part of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, previously called the Central Lenin Stadium...
. Basel's place in the last 16 was all but secured, although they still had to make sure they did not lose to Liverpool in the last game of the first group stage. On the last Matchday Basel were winning 3–0 at half-time through goals from Julio Hernán Rossi
Julio Hernan Rossi
Julio Hernan Rossi is an Argentinian football striker. He most recently played for Neuchâtel Xamax.-Football career:...
, Christian Eduardo Giménez and Thimothée Atouba. The second half was a different story, though, and Liverpool fought back to draw 3–3. This was still enough for FCB to qualify for the Second Group Stage. In the last 16, Basel faced Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
and Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
. They had a poor start, losing back to back games against Manchester United at home and Juventus away. FCB then faced Deportivo in a double-header, with the home side winning 1–0 in both games. Arguably two of FCB's greatest games came next as they held Manchester United to a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
and claimed a 2–1 victory over Juventus at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
. Despite picking up the same number of points as second placed Juventus, Basel crashed out on goal difference. Basel finished second in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
that season and won the Swiss Cup after beating Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
6–0 in the final.
After being the surprise package in Europe
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
in the 2002/03 season, Basel could not bring this form into the UEFA Cup in 2003/04 as they were eliminated by Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in the second round after defeating Malatyaspor
Malatyaspor
Malatya SK is a Turkish sports club based in Malatya, mainly concentrated on football. Malatyaspor are currently playing in the TFF Third League. Previously their colors were yellow and black . They played in First League for 11 seasons. They are the first and only team located in Eastern Anatolia...
in the previous round.
The club did go on to achieve some success in the Europe in 2004/05, though, as they were dropped into the UEFA Cup after being eliminated by Inter Milan
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
in the Qualification Stage of the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. After they defeated Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n side FC Terek Grozny
FC Terek Grozny
FC Terek Grozny is a Russian football club, currently playing in the Russian Premier League....
in the First Round they faced considerabley tougher opponents Feyenoord Rotterdam, FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
, Ferencvárosi TC and Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in the Group Stage. They drew 1–1 away to Schalke, were defeated 2–1 at home by Hearts, beat Ferencváros 2–1 at Stadium Puskás Ferenc
Stadium Puskás Ferenc
Ferenc Puskás Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Budapest, Hungary. It is situated on the Pest side of the capital between the Stadionok and the Keleti Palyaudvar metro stations. It is currently used mainly for football matches. The stadium is going to be demolished sometime in 2012 and...
and won 1–0 against Feyenoord at home. They finished third in the group on seven points and qualified for the Round of 32 where they were defeated 2–0 on aggregate by Lille OSC
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
. Basel also won the Domestic Title
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
during the 2004/05 campaign.
2005/2006 Season
Basel's biggest signings of the 2005/06 season were defenders Daniel MajstorovićDaniel Majstorovic
Daniel Majstorović is a Swedish footballer of Serbian origin who plays as a centre back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Swedish national team....
and Kōji Nakata
Koji Nakata
Kōji Nakata is a Japanese football player who played at both the Football World Cup 2002, and the Football World Cup 2006. He currently plays for Kashima Antlers in the J...
who were brought in to replace Patrick Müller
Patrick Müller
Patrick Müller is a Swiss professional footballer who currently is a Free Agent after ending his contract with Monaco.-Club career:...
, who was set to sign for Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, and the retiring Murat Yakın
Murat Yakin
Murat Yakin is a Swiss-Turkish football coach and former Swiss national player. He is currently the coach of FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League.-Playing career:...
. Forward Eduardo
Eduardo Adelino da Silva
Eduardo Adelino da Silva , better known as simply Eduardo, is a Brazilian footballer. He plays as a Midfielder or Forward.-Early career:...
was signed after a successful loan spell but Argentinian
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
goalscorers Christian Giménez and Julio Hernán Rossi
Julio Hernan Rossi
Julio Hernan Rossi is an Argentinian football striker. He most recently played for Neuchâtel Xamax.-Football career:...
left the club.
As Swiss champions, Basel entered the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
third qualifying round against German Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
club Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
. Basel won the first leg 2–1 at St. Jakob Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
but lost 3–0 at the Weserstadion
Weserstadion
The Weserstadion is a multi-purpose stadium in Bremen, Germany. The stadium is scenically situated on the north bank of the Weser River and is surrounded by lush green parks . The city center is only about a kilometer away...
in the second leg, the aggregate 4–2 in Werder's favour. Basel were then dropped into the UEFA Cup where they met NK Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian team from the town of Široki Brijeg that currently plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
in the First Round. Basel sealed a 6–0 aggregate win and were drawn into Group E alongside RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
, A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
, Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
and Tromsø I.L.. FCB lost the first group match 2–0 against Strasbourg at home but won 2–1 away to Red Star, giving themselves an opportunity to progress to the next round if they won their next game against Tromsø. They did in a seven-goal thriller, winning 4–3 and securing 3rd place. The last match of the group was against Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
giants Roma at the Stadio Olimpico
Stadio Olimpico
The Stadio Olimpico is the main and largest sports facility of Rome, Italy. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex on the north of the city. An asset of the Italian National Olympic Committee, the structure is intended primarily for football...
where the Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
club won 3–1. In the Round of 32 FCB came up against AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
who they beat 2–1 on aggregate after a 1–1 stalemate in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
and a 1–0 victory for Basel in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. As Basel progressed to the last 16 they played against Strasbourg once again. FCB won the first leg 2–0 and drew 2–2 in the second leg, winning 4–2 overall. In the Quarter-Finals the club came up against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. FCB won 2–0 at home and looked certain to progress as they travelled to the Riverside Stadium
Riverside Stadium
The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F.C. since it opened in 1995...
. This was not the case, however, as the Englishmen
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
fought back to win the match 4–1 and the tie 4–3.
On February 26, 2006 FC Basel broke their own club record of 52 unbeaten league games in the St. Jakob Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
. The new record is 59, but the streak ended there on the final day of the season with a last-minute goal by Iulian Filipescu
Iulian Filipescu
Iulian Sebastian Filipescu is a former Romanian footballer, who was born in Slatina, Romania. He was a centre back or defensive midfielder who possessed strength and tough tackling as well as being dead ball specialist. A fluent passer and he also possesses good technique. He debuted in Divizia A...
of FC Zürich, knocking Basel out of contention and giving Zürich their first national championship since 1980/81. A sixtieth straight home league match undefeated would have made Basel champions once again, but the final score was 1-2 in favour of Zürich, this resulted in riots and property damage by hooligans of both the FCB and their rival after the match (see 2006 Basel Hooligan Incident
2006 Basel Hooligan Incident
The 2006 Basel Hooligan Incident occurred on May 13, 2006 in Basel, Switzerland. On that day hooligans supporting the Swiss football club FC Basel 1893 stormed the field of the St. Jakob-Park after a championship-deciding match against the club FC Zürich...
for more details).
2006/2007 Season
Various signings involving FCB took place during the 2006/07 Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
season. The most notable of these were the replacement of local hero Pascal Zuberbühler
Pascal Zuberbühler
Pascal Zuberbühler is a Swiss footballer who is currently the goalkeeping coach for the Philippines. He was recently released by Fulham after coming to the end of his contract.-Club career:...
, who departed for West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, with Argentine internationalist
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
and the signing of Delron Buckley
Delron Buckley
Delron Sebastian Buckley is a South African footballer playing for Karlsruher SC.-Club career:Buckley's soccer career began with his local team Butcherfille Rovers Durban, but when he was 17 years old he was signed by German club VfL Bochum...
on loan from Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
. Zdravko Kuzmanović
Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Zdravko Kuzmanović is a Swiss-born Serbian footballer who plays as a midfielder for VfB Stuttgart in the Germanic Bundesliga.-Early life:...
left the club during the Winter break for Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
.
FC Basel's European campaign started in the first qualifying stage of the UEFA Cup when they beat Kazakhi
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
side FC Tobol
FC Tobol
FC Tobol is a Kazakh football club based at the Central Stadium in Kostanay. They have been members of the Kazakhstan Premier League since its foundation in 1992, they won Kazakhstan Premier league on 2010, and ended up close in 2nd and 3rd positions in last seven seasons.- Name history :*1967 :...
3–1 on aggregate. In the second round they played against Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
er team FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
, narrowly progressing on the away goals rule
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
after a 2–2 aggregate draw. They were then put up against Macedonians FK Rabotnički
FK Rabotnicki
FK Rabotnički is a football club that plays at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. They currently compete in the Macedonian First League.-History:...
. Basel won 6–2 at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
and 1–0 at the Skopje City Stadium to qualify for the group stages where they faced tough opposition, Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, AS Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Feyenoord of The Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Wisła Kraków of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Basel's first game came against Feyenoord at home. They came away with a respectable 1–1 draw. Their next group match was at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
against Blackburn Rovers. Basel played reasonably well but shaky defending became their downfall. AS Nancy, at home, were their next opponents and the match ended in a 2–2 draw. Basel's last group game was against Wisła Kraków at the Wisła Stadium. FCB needed a win to qualify but their poor European campaign came to an end after losing 3–1 despite taking an early lead through Mladen Petrić
Mladen Petric
Mladen Petrić is a Croatian international footballer who plays for Hamburger SV in the Fußball-Bundesliga Bundesliga. He also holds the Swiss citizenship.-Early life:...
.
Basel won the Swiss Cup after beating FC Luzern
FC Lucerne
FC Luzern is a Swiss football club, founded in 1901. The club colors are blue and white, derived from the Canton of Lucerne and the City of Lucerne coats of arms.- History :...
1–0. The winning goal came from the penalty spot through Daniel Majstorović
Daniel Majstorovic
Daniel Majstorović is a Swedish footballer of Serbian origin who plays as a centre back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Swedish national team....
in the 93rd minute.
FCB finished in second place in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
, just one point behind winners FC Zürich. This was despite the club defeating Zürich in all three of their meetings in that league campaign.
2007/2008 Season
At the beginning of the 2007/08 season FC Basel strengthened their team by signing Swiss internationalistsSwitzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
from VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
, Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
from Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
and David Degen
David Degen
David Degen is a Swiss footballer currently playing for BSC Young Boys, mostly as a right midfielder, in the Swiss Super League. He is half Dutch as his mother is from the Netherlands...
on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
. Fans' favourite Mladen Petrić
Mladen Petric
Mladen Petrić is a Croatian international footballer who plays for Hamburger SV in the Fußball-Bundesliga Bundesliga. He also holds the Swiss citizenship.-Early life:...
joined Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
in a big-money deal and influential defender Boris Smiljanić
Boris Smiljanic
Boris Smiljanić is a Swiss football player of Croatian descent who currently plays in defence for Grasshopper in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
returned to his former club Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
. Highly rated Switzerland Under-21 defender Beg Ferati
Beg Ferati
Beg Ferati is a Swiss footballer of Kosovar Albanian descent who plays as a defender for SC Freiburg of the German Bundesliga.-Football career:...
arrived at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
in January from feeder club FC Concordia Basel
FC Concordia Basel
FC Concordia Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. The club was founded in 1907. They play in the 2nd regional league which is the fifth level, and their home stadium is Rankhof Stadium....
on a three-and-a-half year contract. He was joined by veteran striker Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc is a former Czech football striker who last played for FC Ingolstadt 04.- Career :Before joining Salzburg, Lokvenc played for Hradec Králové , Sparta Prague , Kaiserslautern , and VfL Bochum of the German Bundesliga...
from Red Bull Salzburg and exciting midfielder Marko Perović from Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
who also arrived during the Winter break.
Basel were drawn against Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
n minnows FK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League...
in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, a tie that Basel won 8–1 on aggregate. In the next round Basel faced a considerably tougher opponent in the form of SV Mattersburg
SV Mattersburg
SV Mattersburg is an Austrian association football club from Mattersburg, Burgenland. For sponsorship reasons, the club is currently also known as SV Bauwelt Koch Mattersburg....
of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. Nonetheless, Basel finished the tie off with a 4–0 away win after a 2–1 victory at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
. Basel were then drawn into a 'death group' of Group D alongside SK Brann, NK Dinamo Zagreb, Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
and Stade Rennais FC, all of which were ranked within the top 3 of their own leagues at the start of the stage. Basel won their first UEFA Cup group game against Rennes at home 1–0 thanks to a Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
header. Their next game was away to Dinamo Zagreb in which Basel earned a valuable away point thanks to on form goalkeeper Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
who kept the game at 0–0 for 90 minutes. They then faced Brann at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
where they won 1–0 through a Carlitos
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia , aka Carlitos, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga, as a left winger.-Football career:...
free-kick and were highly praised for playing attractive and flowing football. Basel then went to Germany to face Hamburg
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
at the HSH Nordbank Arena where they were fortunate to escape with a 1–1 draw. The goals came courtesy of captain Ivan Ergić
Ivan Ergic
Ivan Ergić is an international footballer from Serbia. He is a free agent, last playing for Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played as midfielder. He holds Serbian and Australian citizenship.-Club:...
and Hamburg
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
's Ivica Olić
Ivica Olic
Ivica Olić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany and internationally for the Croatian national team.- Early career :Olić was born and raised in the village of Davor near Nova Gradiška, Croatia, Yugoslavia...
. Basel then faced Sporting Clube de Portugal in the last 32 after qualifying 2nd in the group alongside 1st placed Hamburg
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
and 3rd placed Brann. Sporting Lisbon finished third in their group in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, which is why they were dropped into the UEFA Cup. The first leg took place on the 13th of February in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
where the first choice goalkeeper, Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
, was injured and Basel lost 2–0. The second leg did not fair any better for Basel. Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
remained injured and Basel lost 3–0 on the 21st of February in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, resulting in the knock out of the UEFA Cup.
| ]]}} |
| Basel's 2007–08 title-winning squad. |
FC Basel won the Swiss Cup for the second consecutive season after beating second-tier side AC Bellinzona
AC Bellinzona
AC Bellinzona is a Swiss football club based in Bellinzona. It was founded in 1904, and won the Swiss Super League in 1948.-History:Since Bellinzona is an Italian speaking region, many Italian Serie A clubs loan youth players to the club to get first team experience. AS Roma are a parent club to...
4–1 at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
on Sunday 6 April 2008. Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10...
gave Basel the lead in the first half before Bellinzona
AC Bellinzona
AC Bellinzona is a Swiss football club based in Bellinzona. It was founded in 1904, and won the Swiss Super League in 1948.-History:Since Bellinzona is an Italian speaking region, many Italian Serie A clubs loan youth players to the club to get first team experience. AS Roma are a parent club to...
equalised through Christian Pouga
Christian Pouga
Christian Pouga is a footballer from Cameroon who plays as forward for Marítimo in the Primeira Liga.- Early years :Pouga started of his professional footballing career with Shanghai United F.C...
in the second. Daniel Majstorović
Daniel Majstorovic
Daniel Majstorović is a Swedish footballer of Serbian origin who plays as a centre back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Swedish national team....
restored the lead for Basel with a header and Swiss internationalists
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
and Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
scored one goal each to make the final scoreline 4–1 in Basel's favour.
Basel won the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
for the first time since 2005 on the 10 May 2008 at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
after a 2–0 win over title threats BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
. It was the last game of the season and Basel only needed a point from the match to win the Championship but if Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
won then they would be champions, exactly the same situation as the end of the 2005/06 season, only it was between Basel and FC Zürich then. The painful memories of losing the league on the last day of the season in 2006 seemed to spur FCB on as they took an early lead through Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club:...
before Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
wrapped up the victory with the second.
This rounded off a highly successful season for Basel as they conquered on the domestic front, winning both the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
and Swiss Cup, and reaching the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.
2008/2009 Season
Ahead of the 2008/09 season, FCB added to their squad by signing defenders Behrang SafariBehrang Safari
Behrang Safari is an Iranian-born Swedish international footballer who plays as a defender for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League.-Early life:He came to Sweden as a two-year-old from Tehran, Iran with his family...
from Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
and David Abraham from Gimnàstic de Tarragona
Gimnàstic de Tarragona
Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona, usually referred to as Nàstic, is a Spanish sports club based in Tarragona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Its football team currently plays in Segunda División....
, and midfielders Jürgen Gjasula
Jürgen Gjasula
Jürgen Gjasula is an Albanian-German footballer who plays as a midfielder for MSV Duisburg in the 2nd Bundesliga.-Football career:...
and Marcos Gelabert
Marcos Gelabert
Marcos Agustín Gelabert is an Argentine footballer who plays for Swiss Super League side Neuchâtel Xamax. His position is defensive midfielder.-Career:...
from FC St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
. Fans' favourite Daniel Majstorović
Daniel Majstorovic
Daniel Majstorović is a Swedish footballer of Serbian origin who plays as a centre back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Swedish national team....
left the club for AEK Athens F.C. and Kōji Nakata
Koji Nakata
Kōji Nakata is a Japanese football player who played at both the Football World Cup 2002, and the Football World Cup 2006. He currently plays for Kashima Antlers in the J...
returned to Japan
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
with Kashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers
are a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....
, while Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc is a former Czech football striker who last played for FC Ingolstadt 04.- Career :Before joining Salzburg, Lokvenc played for Hradec Králové , Sparta Prague , Kaiserslautern , and VfL Bochum of the German Bundesliga...
and David Degen
David Degen
David Degen is a Swiss footballer currently playing for BSC Young Boys, mostly as a right midfielder, in the Swiss Super League. He is half Dutch as his mother is from the Netherlands...
's loan deals were not re-newed. Ivan Ergić
Ivan Ergic
Ivan Ergić is an international footballer from Serbia. He is a free agent, last playing for Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played as midfielder. He holds Serbian and Australian citizenship.-Club:...
resigned from being club captain before the start of the season, and Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
was unveiled as the new captain a day before the season kicked off.
Basel played their opening game of the season in Bern on 18 July 2008 against BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
, which they won 2–1 with goals coming from substitutes Marko Perović and Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
after Eudis
Eudi Silva de Souza
Eudi Silva de Souza, commonly known as Eudis is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Servette FC in the Swiss Super League.- Career :...
put the home side ahead.
Basel entered the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in the Second Qualifying Round and were drawn against IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
of Sweden
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
. The first leg was on July 30, 2008 at Ullevi
Ullevi
Ullevi is a stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. The stadium was built for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, but since then Ullevi has also hosted the 1995 World Championships in Athletics and the 2006 European Championships in Athletics, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup finals in 1983 and 1990, the UEFA Euro 1992...
and finished 1–1. Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
put Basel ahead before Thomas Olsson
Thomas Olsson
Thomas Olsson is a Swedish football midfielder. After playing for the local club Åtvidabergs FF, he joined IFK Norrköping in 1998 before moving to Swedish top club Malmö FF in 2002 with which he has won one Swedish championship...
equalised for the home team. The second leg took place on August 6 at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
; with Basel coming from behind twice to win 4–2. Pontus Wernbloom
Pontus Wernbloom
Pontus Anders Mikael Wernbloom is a Swedish footballer who plays for AZ in the Eredivisie.-Career:After playing for a local club, he joined the youth team of IFK Göteborg in 2004, before being promoted to the senior team in 2005. He quickly made a name for himself with his hard tackles, fighting...
put Göteborg ahead on 19 minutes before Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
equalised soon after. Early in the second half Robin Söder
Robin Söder
Robin Söder is a Swedish football striker who plays for IFK Göteborg.- Career :Söder began his football career 1995 in Magra IS. After a couple of years he started to play for Sollebrunn AIK. He moved out from Magra at the age of 12 and started to play for Morlanda GoIF in Orust...
restored Göteborg's lead. But Basel fought back, with Scott Chipperfield
Scott Chipperfield
Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:...
equalising. Then Basel got a penalty due to a supposed hands ball in the box. Replays showed that the referee had made the wrong decision. The penalty was scored, and eventually led to the victory. Basel then faced Vitória S.C. of Portugal
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
in the Third Qualifying Round. The first leg at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
The Estádio D. Afonso Henriques is a football stadium in the city of Guimarães, Portugal.The stadium is home of Guimarães's most successful team, Vitória de Guimarães, presently completing in the top-flight Portuguese Liga...
, on August 13, ended honours even, in a 0–0 draw. The second leg took place on August 27 at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
where Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club:...
gave Basel an early lead on 11 minutes before João Alves
João Alves
João Artur Rosa Alves is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Vitória de Guimarães as a central midfielder.-Club career:...
was fouled in the penalty area by François Marque and João Fajardo
João Fajardo
João Paulo Silva Freitas Fajardo is a Portuguese footballer who plays for C.D. Santa Clara as a winger.-Football career:...
dispatched the spot-kick, just four minutes later to draw Vitória level. In the second half, the away side started well but Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10...
gave FCB a 2–1 lead which they hung on to, to qualify for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
Group Stages.
FCB were drawn into Group C alongside FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year...
and Sporting Clube de Portugal. Basel lost their opening game 2–1 at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
on September 16 against Shakhtar
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year...
. Fernandinho
Fernandinho
Fernando Luiz Rosa or simply Fernandinho was born May 4, 1985 in Londrina, Brazil and is a footballer who currently plays for FC Shakhtar Donetsk...
put the Ukrainians
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
ahead on 25 minutes before Jádson
Jádson
Jádson Rodrigues da Silva , commonly known as Jádson, is an footballer who plays for Shaktar Donetsk and the Brazilian national football team.-Shakhtar Donetsk:...
doubled their lead just before half time. David Abraham scored a late consolation goal for the home team. Sporting Lisbon were the opponents on Matchday 2 (October 1) and despite defending well and causing a few scares at the other end of the park, Basel were defeated 2–0 at the Estádio José Alvalade
Estádio José Alvalade
Estádio José Alvalade is a football stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, home of Sporting Clube de Portugal, one of the country's biggest clubs. It is the center of a complex called Alvalade XXI , designed by Portuguese architect...
. On Matchday 3 (October 22), Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
visited Basel and came away with a 5–0 win, but a fortnight later it was a different story as FCB came away with a respectable 1–1 draw at the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
, with Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10...
scoring a late equaliser after Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
put Barça ahead. On November 26, Basel travelled to Ukraine, to play Shakhtar, where they were thrashed 5–0. Basel then faced Sporting at home on the final Matchday (December 9) and were defeated 1–0.
On 16 April 2009, FCB were eliminated from the Swiss Cup
Swiss Cup 2008–09
Swiss Cup 2008–09 was the eighty-fourth season of Switzerland's annual cup competition. It began on 20 September with the first games of Round 1 and ended on 20 May 2009 with the Final held at Stade de Suisse, Berne. The winners earned a place in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League...
in the Semi-Final after losing 3–2 on penalties to Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
. The score was 0–0 after 90 minutes and extra time.
Despite remaining in first or second position for most of the season, Basel finished in third place behind FC Zürich and Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
. On May 24, 2009, Basel lost 4–1 against Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
, meaning that they could no longer win the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
and that FC Zürich were crowned champions. Three days later, on May 27, FCB lost 3–0 to Young boys, therefore also surrendering the Vice-Championship. On May 27, Christian Gross
Christian Gross
Christian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
was sacked from his role as FC Basel manager after ten years in the job.
2009/2010 Season
GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Thorsten Fink
Thorsten Fink
Thorsten Fink is a German football coach and former player, currently manager of Bundesliga club Hamburger SV.-Career:...
was appointed as Basel's new manager on June 9, 2009. The new manager let several players go by not extending their contracts. These were Ronny Hodel
Ronny Hodel
Ronny Hodel is a Swiss footballer who plays as a defender.-Football career:He started out with local club FC Lucerne in 2000 before moving on to BSC Young Boys in 2005. He played there for 2 years until he was signed by FC Basel at the end of the 2006/07 season...
, Jürgen Gjasula
Jürgen Gjasula
Jürgen Gjasula is an Albanian-German footballer who plays as a midfielder for MSV Duisburg in the 2nd Bundesliga.-Football career:...
, Ivan Ergić
Ivan Ergic
Ivan Ergić is an international footballer from Serbia. He is a free agent, last playing for Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played as midfielder. He holds Serbian and Australian citizenship.-Club:...
and Eduardo
Eduardo Adelino da Silva
Eduardo Adelino da Silva , better known as simply Eduardo, is a Brazilian footballer. He plays as a Midfielder or Forward.-Early career:...
. Star striker Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10...
was also sold to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and Eduardo Rubio
Eduardo Rubio
Eduardo Javier Rubio Köstner is a Chilean international footballer who plays as a striker for C.D. La Serena in the Primera División de Chile.-Club:...
returned to Cruz Azul after his loan was not made permanent. A number of players were brought into the first team from the under-21 squad to replace them, however, and a number of other new players were signed; the highest profile being Alexander Frei from Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
. Others included Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Çağdaş Atan
Çagdas Atan
Çağdaş Atan is a Turkish international footballer who plays as a central defender for Mersin İdman Yurdu.- Club :Atan began his career with Altay SK before moving to Marmaris Belediye G.S.K., where he signed his first professional contract, in 2000. He returned to Altay in 2001 and played for two...
from Energie Cottbus, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian Samuel Inkoom
Samuel Inkoom
Samuel Inkoom is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who currently plays as a defender for Ukrainian club FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Ukrainian Premier League and the Ghana national team.-Career:- Club :...
from Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko Football Club, also known as Asante Kotoko, is one of the biggest and most successful football clubs in Ghana as well as being one of the more successful teams in Africa, having won twenty national league titles. They have also twice been champions of Africa. The club's home ground is...
, Massimo Colomba
Massimo Colomba
Massimo Colomba is a Swiss footballer who currently plays as goalkeeper for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.As a child Colomba played in the youth teams of his local side FC Villars-sur-Glâne. In 1995 he moved to Fribourg and played one year for FC Richemond and one for FC Beauregard.Colomba...
from rivals Grasshopper
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Antônio da Silva on loan from Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
.
Basel entered the Europa League in the second qualifying round and were drawn against Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
ns Santa Colma
FC Santa Coloma
FC Santa Coloma is an Andorran football team, playing in the village of Santa Coloma.It is one of the best Andorran teams in recent time. In the 2003-04 qualifying round of the UEFA Cup FC Santa Coloma were eliminated by Esbjerg fB from Denmark . Argentinian Hernan Walker scored their only goal in...
. The first leg at St. Jakob-Park
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
ended 3–0 in Basel's favour, with Serkan Şahin
Serkan Sahin
Serkan Şahin is a Turkish footballer who plays as a defender for Konyaspor in the Turkish Super League.Şahin began his career at amateur club SC Dornach in 2005 before moving on to the Under-21 side of FC Basel in 2006. He was promoted to Basel's senior squad during the 2008/09 Winter break and...
, Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
and Federico Almerares
Federico Almerares
Federico Almerares is an Argentine footballer.Almerares came through the ranks at Club Atlético River Plate and made his debut in 2003, but never established himself in the first team, only making three appearances between 2005 and March 2008 when he went on trial with Swedish Allsvenskan club...
getting on the score sheet. The second leg at Estadi Comunal d'Aixovall ended in Basel emerging 4–1 victors, and 7–1 winners on aggregate. Streller (2), Marcos Gelabert
Marcos Gelabert
Marcos Agustín Gelabert is an Argentine footballer who plays for Swiss Super League side Neuchâtel Xamax. His position is defensive midfielder.-Career:...
and Almerares scored the goals the second time around. FCB were then drawn against KR Reykjavík
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, , for short KR or KR Reykjavík, is an Icelandic athletic club based in the capital, Reykjavík. KR is the oldest and most successful club in Icelandic football.-History:...
of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
in the third qualifying round. The first leg took place at KR-völlur
KR-völlur
KR-völlur is a football stadium in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is currently used mostly for football matches and has been the home stadium of Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur since 1984...
on July 30, and ended in a 2–2 draw. Early goals from Gudmundur Benediktsson and Grétar Sigurdsson gave the home side a 2–0 lead, before Scott Chipperfield
Scott Chipperfield
Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:...
and Almerares drew Basel level. The second leg in Switzerland ended 3–1 to Basel, meaning they won 5–3 on aggregate and progressed to a two-legged play-off against FK Baku
FK Baku
Football Club Baku is an Azerbaijani football club in Baku, Azerbaijan. The club sponsored by the Baghlan Group Company and ZQAN Holding.FC Baku plays in the Azerbaijan Premier League and have won two Azerbaijan Premier League championships and two Azerbaijan Cups.-History:FC Baku was founded in...
of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. Alexander Frei (2) and Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss footballer, who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League as well as the Swiss national team.-Early life and career:...
scored for FCB and Björgólfur Takefusa scored for the Icelanders. At the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
Tofiq Bahramov Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It serves as the home ground of FK Baku and the Azerbaijan national football team and holds 30,000, making it the largest stadium in the country.- History :The Tofiq Bahramov...
in Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Fernando Nestor Pérez
Fernando Nestor Pérez
Fernando Néstor Pérez is an Argentine footballer. He currently plays as a striker for FK Baku. During the 2004/05 season, he led Baku with 13 league goals.-References:...
put the locals 1–0 ahead just after half time. Basel turned it around, however, and won by three goals to one when they scored three goals in six minutes, coming from Streller (2) and Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
. The second leg at home ended with Basel winning 5–1 on the night and 8–2 on aggregate, meaning that they qualified for the Europa League group stage. Almerares, Gelabert, Frei, Shaqiri and Orhan Mustafi
Orhan Mustafi
Orhan Mustafi is a Swiss footballer of Albanian descent who plays as a striker for Grasshopper Club Zürich in the Swiss Super League.-Career:...
all contributed with Basel's goals while Felipe Almeida Félix
Felipe Almeida Félix
Felipe Almeida Félix, commonly known as Felipe , is a Brazilian footballer. He plays for Ferencvárosi TC.He played for Atlético Paranaense in 2003, and for Grupo Desportivo Os Nazarenos in 2005....
scored for the away side.
FCB were then drawn into Group E alongside A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
(Italy
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
), Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
(England) and CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army...
(Bulgaria
Bulgarian A Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian A Professional Football Group commonly known as A PFG is the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The league is sponsored by Victoria FATA Insurance and therefore is officially known as Victoria A Football Group since 2011...
). Basel started the group off with an impressive 2–0 win over Roma at home – Carlitos
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia , aka Carlitos, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga, as a left winger.-Football career:...
and Federico Almerares
Federico Almerares
Federico Almerares is an Argentine footballer.Almerares came through the ranks at Club Atlético River Plate and made his debut in 2003, but never established himself in the first team, only making three appearances between 2005 and March 2008 when he went on trial with Swedish Allsvenskan club...
bagging the goals on September 17, 2009 – before narrowly losing their second match 1–0 in a tight encounter with Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
at Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
on October 1. Their third match took place on October 22 and was against CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army...
at the Vasil Levski National Stadium
Vasil Levski National Stadium
Vasil Levski National Stadium , named after Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski, is one of Bulgaria's largest sports venues and the country's second largest stadium...
. Frei bagged two goals there to send Basel home with a 2–0 win. They also won the return leg, on November 5, by 3 goals to 1. Frei again bagged two goals, with Gelabert scoring the other. Todor Yanchev
Todor Yanchev
Todor Yanchev is a Bulgarian professional football midfielder, who plays for CSKA Sofia. He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder.-Career:...
scored for the visitors. After this, they lost 2–1 to Roma away, leaving their fate hinging on the final match against Fulham at home. In a close game, the English club narrowly won by three goals to two, sending Basel crashing out and finishing in third place.
In domestic affairs, Basel sweeped the board; despite a poor start to the season (at one point they sat in ninth place), FCB came back to win the title on the last day of the season against favourites BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
at the Stade de Suisse. Young prospect Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club:...
and club legend Scott Chipperfield
Scott Chipperfield
Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:...
gave Basel the goals in the 2–0 win on May 16.
On May 9, FC Basel won an outstanding 6–0 victory over FC Lausanne-Sport, with Stocker scoring twice, and Shaqiri, Zoua, Chipperfield and Huggel also getting onto the scoreboard. The win secured FC Basel's tenth Cup win.
2010/2011 Season
The 114th season of the Swiss Super League2010–11 Swiss Super League
The 2010–11 Swiss Super League was the 114th season of top-tier football in Switzerland. It began on 17 July 2010 and ended on 25 May 2011. The league comprised ten teams....
began on Saturday 19 July 2010. Stefan Wessels, Marcos Gelabert, Antonio Da Silva, Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia "Carlitos" and Serkan Sahin left the club. Four players from the under-21 squad, the brothers Taulant and Granit Xhaka, Mattias Baron and Janick Kamber, were brought up to the first team. Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer is a Swiss footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
returned from his spell on loan to Grasshopper Club Zürich and Gilles Yapi Yapo
Gilles Yapi Yapo
Gilles Donald Yapi Yapo is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays in midfield for Swiss Super League club FC Basel and the Ivorian national team.-Club career:...
(BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
) and Fwayo Tembo
Fwayo Tembo
Fwayo Tembo is a Zambian football player who currently plays for FC Basel. He grew up in the shanty compound of Mtendere in the city of Lusaka.-Career:...
(Étoile Sportive du Sahel
Étoile Sportive du Sahel
The Étoile Sportive du Sahel is a sports club from Sousse in the Sahel region of Tunisia, known primarily for its football team. The club also has sections for handball, volleyball, basketball, judo and wrestling...
) were bought to complete the new squad. FC Basel’s first game was on Tuesday 20 July at home against FC Zürich which resulted with a 3–2 win.
Basel entered the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round, drawn against Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC or just Debrecen or DVSC is a football club from the city of Debrecen in Hungary. They are best known for reaching the group stages of the UEFA Champions League 2009–10 season. Debreceni VSC has been the most successful Hungarian club since 2000. The club has won the Hungarian...
they won both games (2–0, 3–1). In the play-offs to the Champions League they are drawn against FC Sheriff Tiraspol
FC Sheriff Tiraspol
FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a football club based in Tiraspol, Moldova. They play in the Divizia Naţională, the top division in Moldovan football. The team is sometimes referred to as simply FC Sheriff and should not be confused with FC Tiraspol, a rival team based in the same city.-History:The club...
. In the first leg they defeated Tiraspol 1–0 before winning 3–0 on the road. Basel entered the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage
2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage
This article details the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage.The group stage featured 32 teams: the 22 automatic qualifiers and the 10 winners of the play-off round ....
in group E.
2011/2012 Season
The 115th season of the Swiss Super League2011–12 Swiss Super League
The 2011–12 Swiss Super League season will be the 115th season of top-tier football in Switzerland. It will begin on 16 July 2011 and end on either 17 or 20 May 2012, depending on whether the Swiss national team qualifies for the UEFA Euro 2012...
began on Saturday 16 July 2011.
Fans
FC Basel is known for having a big and loyal local following. Usually when polls are made about the most passionate club football fans, FC Basel's fans usually make the top 20 if not top 10 in the world, resulting in what is by far the highest average attendance in SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
with around 30,000 fans attending every home game and with the new extension being built that number is expected to rise to around 40,000. The fans have also made themselves a name in numerous international matches in recent years.
Arguably, its most famous internationally recognisable fan is tennis star Roger Federer
Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player who held the ATP no. 1 position for a record 237 consecutive weeks, and 285 weeks overall. As of 28 November 2011, he is ranked World No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals . Federer has won a men's record 16 Grand Slam singles titles...
. The current World No. 3 is a Basel native and has supported the club since his youth. In one interview Federer said if he were not as good of a tennis player as he is today, he would have without a doubt tried to play football. He went on to say that if he was successful in the beautiful game, he would have loved to play for FC Basel.
In November 2010 their supporters caused the game against FC Luzern to be stopped after they threw hundreds of tennis balls onto the pitch. This was in protest at the kick off times being moved to accommodate a tennis tournament on the TV schedule.
Rivalry
The city of Basel and the city of ZürichZürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
have a long-standing rivalry. Therefore, FC Basel's most traditional and fiercest rivals are Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
and FC Zürich. In the past few seasons, the rivalry between FC Zürich and Basel and has been fueled by FC Zürich's league championship wins, which were won very narrowly over Basel. Supporters from both sides have caused trouble in the past years. The worst incident happened in May 2006. FC Basel had won the league in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons and were set to make it three in a row if they won or drew against Zürich at home on the last day of the 2005/06 season. But if Zürich won, they would get the title. Zürich took the lead after a late goal from Iulian Filipescu
Iulian Filipescu
Iulian Sebastian Filipescu is a former Romanian footballer, who was born in Slatina, Romania. He was a centre back or defensive midfielder who possessed strength and tough tackling as well as being dead ball specialist. A fluent passer and he also possesses good technique. He debuted in Divizia A...
and consequently won the match and the league. After the final whistle, players and fans from both teams started fighting on the pitch and in the stands. This incident has fueled hatred and bitterness between fans from FC Zürich and FC Basel. There is a controversy about which rivalry is bigger, the one with Grasshopper
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
or FC Zürich. But it usually depends on the success of these teams. Thus there is a peculiar situation in Switzerland between the three clubs that the more successful team on the football pitch at a certain time period is usually considered the bigger rival as well. For the past few years the success of both FC Basel and FC Zürich means their rivalry is considered the most fierce.
Youth System
FC Basel is known throughout SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
for having the Best youth system in the Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
. It is often compared to the youth systems of Ajax, Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and because of this FC Basel's youth academy is one of the Best in whole Europe. It has produced Swiss internationalists such as Philipp Degen
Philipp Degen
Philipp Degen is a Swiss footballer. Degen is usually a right back but can also play at left back or on the right wing...
, Alexander Frei and Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
. Also, in more recent times, young talents like the Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian international youngster Felipe Caicedo
Felipe Caicedo
Felipe Salvador Caicedo Corozo is an Ecuadorian footballer who plays as a striker for Lokomotiv Moscow.-Basel:...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n Ivan Rakitić
Ivan Rakitic
Ivan Rakitić is a Croatian footballer who plays for Sevilla FC and the Croatian national team.Born in Möhlin, he started his professional career at Swiss giants Basel and spent two seasons with them before establishing popularity for his time in the German Bundesliga with Schalke 04...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n Zdravko Kuzmanović
Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Zdravko Kuzmanović is a Swiss-born Serbian footballer who plays as a midfielder for VfB Stuttgart in the Germanic Bundesliga.-Early life:...
and the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer is a Swiss footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
along with Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10...
have risen through the ranks there. Some successful players who have come through the Basel youth system are:
| Ivan Rakitić Ivan Rakitic Ivan Rakitić is a Croatian footballer who plays for Sevilla FC and the Croatian national team.Born in Möhlin, he started his professional career at Swiss giants Basel and spent two seasons with them before establishing popularity for his time in the German Bundesliga with Schalke 04... Felipe Caicedo Felipe Caicedo Felipe Salvador Caicedo Corozo is an Ecuadorian footballer who plays as a striker for Lokomotiv Moscow.-Basel:... David Hasler David Hasler David Hasler is a Liechtenstein football midfielder, who plays for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Challenge League.The most highly-rated young player in Liechtenstein, Hasler signed a three-year contract with Swiss side FC Basel in 2007 after making his name at USV Eschen/Mauren in his homeland. FC Zürich... José Gonçalves José Gonçalves José Gonçalves is a Portuguese footballer of Cape Verdean descent currently playing for FC Sion in the Swiss Super League. He is Portuguese by birth but has Swiss citizenship, having lived there since he was two years old... Zdravko Kuzmanović Zdravko Kuzmanovic Zdravko Kuzmanović is a Swiss-born Serbian footballer who plays as a midfielder for VfB Stuttgart in the Germanic Bundesliga.-Early life:... |
Massimo Ceccaroni Massimo Ceccaroni Massimo Ceccaroni is a retiredSwiss-Italian football player. He played for FC Basel for most of his career. He is now a trainer at amateur club BSC Old Boys. His brother, Stefano, also played for Basel.... David Degen David Degen David Degen is a Swiss footballer currently playing for BSC Young Boys, mostly as a right midfielder, in the Swiss Super League. He is half Dutch as his mother is from the Netherlands... Philipp Degen Philipp Degen Philipp Degen is a Swiss footballer. Degen is usually a right back but can also play at left back or on the right wing... Eren DerdiyokEren Derdiyok Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10... Alexander Frei |
Fabian Frei Fabian Frei Fabian Frei is a Swiss footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League, after a two year loan at FC St. Gallen. Until June 2011 he was player in the Swiss U-21 team... Dominique Herr Dominique Herr Dominique Herr is a Swiss former football defender who played throughout the 1980s and 1990s.-Career:Herr started his career at local club FC Basel in 1984 where he was a squad player and played mainly for the FC Basel Under-21's for the first couple of seasons... Gökhan İnlerGökhan Inler Gökhan İnler is a Turkish-Swiss football player who plays as a central midfielder for Serie A side Napoli.-Early career:İnler started his career at FC Basel, but was later loaned out to FC Schaffhausen... Adrian Knup Adrian Knup Adrian Knup is a retired Swiss football striker.He was capped 49 times and scored 26 goals for the Swiss national team between 1989 and 1996, including three games at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Football career:... Erni Maissen Erni Maissen Ernst "Erni" Maissen is a Swiss former footballer who played as a midfielder or striker during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. He is best known for his three spells at FC Basel.-Football career:... |
 Xherdan ShaqiriXherdan Shaqiri Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss footballer, who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League as well as the Swiss national team.-Early life and career:... Yann Sommer Yann Sommer Yann Sommer is a Swiss footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:... Valentin Stocker Valentin Stocker Valentin Stocker is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club:... Marco Streller Marco Streller Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:... Hakan YakinHakan Yakin Hakan Yakin is a Swiss footballer. He currently plays for Swiss Super League club FC Luzern. He was member of the Swiss national team for eleven years.-Personal life:... |
Stadium
St. Jakob-Park
' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
which translates into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as St. Jacob's Park. UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
have awarded the stadium a 4-star rating, the highest rating that could be given to a stadium of that capacity. St. Jakob-Park was opened in 2001, holding an attendance of 33,433, originally, but the stadium was upgraded to 42,500 due to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
being co-hosts of UEFA Euro 2008. After the Euro 2008 a number of seats were removed, thus creating more space between them, and the capacity is now 37,500 seats. The stadium is nicknamed "Joggeli" by the fans and has 2 restaurants called "Restaurant UNO" and "Hattrick's Sports Bar" and a shopping centre which opened on 1 November 2001. It also has parking space for 680 cars and has its own train station. St. Jakob-Park hosted 6 games during EURO 2008, including the opening game between Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
and Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
and a semi-final between Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
and Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
. The most interesting feature of the stadium is the translucent outer layer, which can be illuminated in different colours for impressive effects much like Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
's Allianz Arena
Allianz Arena
The Allianz Arena is a football stadium in the north of Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The two professional Munich football clubs FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München have played their home games at Allianz Arena since the start of the 2005–06 season...
.
Before the St. Jakob-Park stadium was built FC Basel played home games in the Landhof (in the Quarter Kleinbasel) and, following the 1954 World Cup, in the newly built St. Jakob Stadium
St. Jakob Stadium
The St. Jakob Stadium was a football stadium in Basel, Switzerland and the former home of Swiss club FC Basel. It was built in 1954, and as well as serving as a club stadium, it hosted several important matches, including a 1954 FIFA World Cup semi-final and four Cup Winners' Cup finals.Tickets and...
which was on the same site as the current stadium. During the construction period of the St. Jacob-Park the FC Basel home games were played in Stadion Schützenmatte
Stadion Schützenmatte
Stadion Schützenmatte is a sports stadium with track and field facilities in the Bachletten quartier in Basel, Switzerland. It is the home ground of BSC Old Boys Basel and, together, the pitch and tennis courts make up the western part of the Schützenmatte sports complex...
.
Affiliated Clubs
FC Concordia BaselFC Concordia Basel
FC Concordia Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. The club was founded in 1907. They play in the 2nd regional league which is the fifth level, and their home stadium is Rankhof Stadium....
– FC Basel are the parent-club of local side Concordia who currently play in the Challenge League. Many of Basel's youth players, such as Patrik Baumann
Patrik Baumann
Patrik Baumann is a Swiss footballer who currently plays as a defender for Servette FC in the Swiss Challenge League.-Football career:...
, Beg Ferati
Beg Ferati
Beg Ferati is a Swiss footballer of Kosovar Albanian descent who plays as a defender for SC Freiburg of the German Bundesliga.-Football career:...
and Simone Grippo
Simone Grippo
Simone Grippo is a Swiss footballer who currently plays for Chievo.-Football career:He came through the youth system at FC Basel and was sent out on a season-long loan at FC Concordia Basel during the 2007/08 season...
, have had loan spells there. Basel have also signed a number players from Concordia, like Louis Crayton
Louis Crayton
Louis Crayton is a Liberian footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Europe:...
and Murat Yakin
Murat Yakin
Murat Yakin is a Swiss-Turkish football coach and former Swiss national player. He is currently the coach of FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League.-Playing career:...
. Miroslav König
Miroslav König
Miroslav König is a Slovak former footballer who played as a goalkeeper during the 1990s and 2000s. He played for a number of clubs in Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, the Czech Republic and Greece.-Career:...
, Riccardo Meili
Riccardo Meili
Riccardo Meili is a footballer from Switzerland who last plays as goalkeeper for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Challenge League.- Career :...
, André Muff
André Muff
André Muff is a former Swiss footballer. He last played for FC Concordia Basel. He has also appeared in the squad four times for the Switzerland national football team, but played only twice...
and Dominik Ritter
Dominik Ritter
Dominik Ritter is a Swiss footballer who plays as a defender for FC Winterthur.-Football career:Ritter started in the Basel youth system. He made his way through the ranks at Basel and played in their U-21 team. In 2008 he was loaned to FC Concordia Basel for a year. In 2009, Ritter was brought up...
are just a few ex-Basel players who have gone on to play for Concordia.
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
– FC Basel are also like a parent-club to Vaduz who are the most successful team in Liechtenstein. Basel goalkeeper Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer is a Swiss footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
previously spent time on loan at Vaduz. Ex-Basel players Tim Grossklaus
Tim Grossklaus
Tim Grossklaus is a German footballer who plays as a striker for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Super League.- Career :...
, Orkan Avci, Damir Džombić
Damir Džombic
Damir Džombić is a Bosnian football player playing as defender for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Super League.-Football career:...
and Bruno Sutter
Bruno Sutter
Bruno Sutter is a Swiss footballer who plays as a Midfielder for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Super League.-External links:*...
have played for Vaduz, Reto "Fussballgott" Zanni is currently playing for Vaduz. Also, Ex-Basel youth coach Heinz Hermann
Heinz Hermann
Heinz Hermann is a former Swiss international footballer.On 1 July 1977 Heinz Hermann changed from FC Seefeld Zürich to Grasshopper-Club Zürich, where he became Swiss league champion four times and cup champion once. At the end of the season 1984/1985 he changed to Neuchâtel Xamax, and he later...
was a manager at Vaduz.
Colours and Logo
FC Basel's traditional kit is a red and blue shirt, blue shorts with gold trim and blue socks with red trim. From this comes the nickname "RotBlau" which is Swiss GermanSwiss German
Swiss German is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland and in some Alpine communities in Northern Italy. Occasionally, the Alemannic dialects spoken in other countries are grouped together with Swiss German as well, especially the dialects of Liechtenstein and Austrian Vorarlberg...
and German for Red and Blue (literally "RedBlue"). Their away kit is all neon yellow with black trim. FC Basel's kits are manufactured by Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
and sponsored by Novartis
Novartis
Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
, a multinational pharmaceutical company which is based in the city of Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
.
The famous "Blaugrana" colours of FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
are said to have originated from the "Rotblau" colours of FC Basel. FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
was founded by former FC Basel captain Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper previously known as Hans Kamper was a Swiss football pioneer, player and club president. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Catalonia , most notably FC Basel, FC Zurich and FC Barcelona....
. For the 2008/09 season, Basel changed their shirt to resemble the traditional Barcelona shirt (red and blue vertical stripes). Barcelona changed theirs to one half of the shirt red, the other blue, which happens to resemble the traditional FC Basel shirt.
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. There are theories that suggest that the founder of FC Barcelona, being at one time the captain of FC Basel, reincorporated the logo of FC Basel on to that of FC Barcelona.
The resemblances seem clear, both logos seem to incorporate the shield design, as do most other clubs. But most notably is the FCB acronyms on both logos and the Red-Blue colours, outlined in gold. Also the football that lies on the left side of the FC Basel logo seems to be the exact shape, type and colour as that of the FC Barcelona Logo in the bottom centre. Because of this, many people tend to say that FC Basel was the inspiration in the process of founding FC Barcelona in Spain.
Sponsorship
Companies that FC Basel currently has sponsorship deals with include:- NovartisNovartisNovartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
– Main Sponsor - NikeNike, Inc.Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
– Kit Manufacturer - VolkswagenVolkswagenVolkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
– Official Sponsor - PirelliPirelliPirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
– Official Sponsor - Muba – Official Sponsor
- UBSUBS AGUBS AG is a Swiss global financial services company headquartered in Basel and Zürich, Switzerland, which provides investment banking, asset management, and wealth management services for private, corporate, and institutional clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland...
– Official Sponsor - Herren GlobusGlobus (company)Globus is a Swiss department store company, with 13 department stores in Switzerland. The group, which also includes the Herren Globus chain of menswear stores and the Office World chain of office supplies stores, it is owned by Switzerland's largest retailer, Migros.Globus was founded in 1907 in...
– Official Sponsor - Alcatel LucentAlcatel-LucentAlcatel-Lucent is a global telecommunications corporation, headquartered in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. It provides telecommunications solutions to service providers, enterprises, and governments around the world, enabling these customers to deliver voice, data, and video services...
– Official Sponsor - Basler VersicherungenBâloiseBâloise Holding AG is a Swiss insurance holding company headquartered in Basel. The company employs approximately 7,500 employees across Europe and is the third largest Swiss all-industry insurance service provider for individuals and businesses.-History:...
– Official Sponsor - Europa ParkEuropa-ParkEuropa-Park is the largest theme park in Germany and third most popular theme park resort in Europe. Having over 4.2 million visitors in 2009, it is the second most popular seasonal theme park in the world and is only behind the Tivoli Gardens and Disneyland Paris. Europa-Park is located in Rust,...
– Official Sponsor - Crypto AGCrypto AGCrypto AG is a Swiss company specialising in communications and information security. With headquarters in steinhausen, the company is a long-established manufacturer of encryption machines and a wide variety of cipher devices...
– Part Time Sponsor
Records
- Highest stage reached in Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: Quarter-Finals (1973/74) - Highest stage reached in UEFA Cup: Quarter-Finals (2005/06)
- Biggest European home win: FC Basel 7–0
S.S. FolgoreS.S. Folgore/FalcianoS.S. Folgore Falciano Calcio is a Sanmarinese football club, based in Falciano, civil parrish of Serravalle. The club was founded in 1972. Folgore currently plays in Girone A of Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio...
(24.08.2000, UEFA Cup qualifying round second leg) - Biggest European away win:
FramKnattspyrnufélagið FramKnattspyrnufélagið Fram is an Icelandic sports club, best known for its football team. In European competitions it is known as Fram Reykjavík. It was founded on 1 May 1908 in Reykjavík. Based at Safamýri, located in the Laugardalur district of Reykjavík City Center. They are currently playing in...
0–5 FC Basel (18.09.1973, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round first leg) - Biggest European home defeat: FC Basel 0–5
FC BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
(22.10.2008, UEFA Champions League) - Biggest European away defeat:
Celtic F.C.Celtic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
5–0 FC Basel (09.10.1963, European Cup Winners' Cup preliminary round)
Shakhtar Donetsk 5–0 FC Basel (26.11.2008, UEFA Champions League) - Most league appearances: Massimo CeccaroniMassimo CeccaroniMassimo Ceccaroni is a retiredSwiss-Italian football player. He played for FC Basel for most of his career. He is now a trainer at amateur club BSC Old Boys. His brother, Stefano, also played for Basel....
(398) - Most league goals: Josef HügiJosef HügiJosef "Sepp" Hügi was a Swiss international footballer who played as a striker during the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s....
(244) - Record number of home games unbeaten: 59
- Highest home game attendance (St. Jakob StadiumSt. Jakob StadiumThe St. Jakob Stadium was a football stadium in Basel, Switzerland and the former home of Swiss club FC Basel. It was built in 1954, and as well as serving as a club stadium, it hosted several important matches, including a 1954 FIFA World Cup semi-final and four Cup Winners' Cup finals.Tickets and...
): 60,000 - Highest home game attendance (St. Jakob-ParkSt. Jakob-Park' is a Swiss sports stadium in Basel. It is the largest football venue in Switzerland and home to FC Basel. "Joggeli", as the venue is nicknamed by the locals, was originally built with a capacity of 33,433 seats. The capacity was increased to 42,500 for Euro 2008, which was hosted by Switzerland...
): 42,500 - Most cappedCap (sport)In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
foreign player:
Teófilo CubillasTeófilo CubillasTeófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
, 81 caps, PeruPeru national football teamThe Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America... - Most capped Swiss player: Alexander Frei, 82 caps
Individual
| # | Nat. | Name | Career | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Josef Hügi Josef Hügi Josef "Sepp" Hügi was a Swiss international footballer who played as a striker during the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s.... |
1948–1962 | 244 |
| 2 | |
Christian Giménez | 2001–2005 | 99 |
| 3 | |
Erni Maissen Erni Maissen Ernst "Erni" Maissen is a Swiss former footballer who played as a midfielder or striker during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. He is best known for his three spells at FC Basel.-Football career:... |
1975–1982 1983–1987 1989–1991 |
94 |
| 4 | |
Karl Odermatt Karl Odermatt Karl Odermatt is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel and BSC Young Boys throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played as a midfielder or striker and is generally regarded as one of the best players ever to have worn the FC Basel shirt... |
1963–1976 | 80 |
| 5 | |
Scott Chipperfield Scott Chipperfield Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:... |
2001– | 69 |
| 6 | |
Ottmar Hitzfeld Ottmar Hitzfeld Ottmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General .... |
1971–1975 | 66 |
| 7 | |
Marco Streller Marco Streller Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:... |
2000–2004 2007– |
62 |
| 8 | |
Benjamin Huggel Benjamin Huggel Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:... |
1998–2005 2007– |
59 |
| 9 | |
Matías Delgado | 2003–2006 | 58 |
| 10 | |
Ivan Ergić Ivan Ergic Ivan Ergić is an international footballer from Serbia. He is a free agent, last playing for Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played as midfielder. He holds Serbian and Australian citizenship.-Club:... |
2000–2009 | 49 |
| # | Nat. | Name | Career | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Massimo Ceccaroni Massimo Ceccaroni Massimo Ceccaroni is a retiredSwiss-Italian football player. He played for FC Basel for most of his career. He is now a trainer at amateur club BSC Old Boys. His brother, Stefano, also played for Basel.... |
1987–2002 | 398 |
| 2 | |
Josef Hügi Josef Hügi Josef "Sepp" Hügi was a Swiss international footballer who played as a striker during the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s.... |
1948–1962 | 320 |
| 3 | |
Karl Odermatt Karl Odermatt Karl Odermatt is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel and BSC Young Boys throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played as a midfielder or striker and is generally regarded as one of the best players ever to have worn the FC Basel shirt... |
1963–1976 | 312 |
| 4 | |
Benjamin Huggel Benjamin Huggel Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:... |
1998–2005 2007– |
274 |
| 5 | |
Scott Chipperfield Scott Chipperfield Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:... |
2001– | 264 |
| 6 | |
Erni Maissen Erni Maissen Ernst "Erni" Maissen is a Swiss former footballer who played as a midfielder or striker during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. He is best known for his three spells at FC Basel.-Football career:... |
1975–1982 1983–1987 1989–1991 |
241 |
| 7 | |
Mario Cantaluppi Mario Cantaluppi Mario "Lupo" Cantaluppi is a former footballer from Switzerland.-Club:Mario Cantaluppi started his professional career with Grasshopper-Club Zurich in 1990 and won the 1990–91 Nationaliga A in his debut season. In 1993, he dropped down a division to sign for FC Basel who were playing in the... |
1994–1996 1998–2004 |
222 |
| 8 | |
Sébastien Barberis Sébastien Barberis Sébastien Barberis is a retired Swiss footballer. He is the son of Umberto Barberis.He started his career at Lausanne Sports in 1990 before moving to Servette FC in 1992. After five years there he moved to Swiss giants FC Basel in 1997. At Basel he won three Swiss Titles and two Swiss Cups as well... |
1997–2005 | 205 |
| 9 | |
Ivan Ergić Ivan Ergic Ivan Ergić is an international footballer from Serbia. He is a free agent, last playing for Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played as midfielder. He holds Serbian and Australian citizenship.-Club:... |
2000–2009 | 202 |
| 10 | |
Stefan Huber Stefan Huber Stefan Huber is a Swiss former footballer who played as a goalkeeper during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.Huber's career began at Grasshopper-Club Zürich in 1984. He then moved to Lausanne Sports in 1988. He played there for five years before signing for FC Basel in 1993. He returned to... |
1993–1999 | 185 |
Honours
- Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
- Winners (14): 1953, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 2002, 2004Swiss Super League 2003-04Statistics of Swiss Super League in the 2003–2004 season.-League standings:-References:...
, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011
- Winners (14): 1953, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 2002, 2004
- Swiss Cup
- Winners (10): 1933, 1947, 1963, 1967, 1975, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008Swiss Cup 2007-08The Swiss Cup 2007-08 is the eighty-third season of Switzerland's football knockout competition. The winner was FC Basel. AC Bellinzona qualified for the UEFA Cup after finishing as runner-up due to Basel qualifying for the UEFA Champions League....
, 2010
- Winners (10): 1933, 1947, 1963, 1967, 1975, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008
- Swiss League CupSwiss League CupThe Swiss League Cup was a football tournament which took place as a summer pre-season tournament in 1972 and 1973, and during the Swiss football season from 1974–75 to 1981–82...
- Winners (1): 19721972 Swiss League CupThe 1972 Swiss League Cup was the inaugural Swiss League Cup competition. It was played in the summer of 1972 as a pre-season tournament to the 1972–73 Swiss football season...
- Winners (1): 1972
- Coppa delle AlpiCoppa delle AlpiCoppa delle Alpi , was a football tournament, first organized by the Italian national league to start 1960 and then aided by the Swiss League in 1962 for the reason that the majority of the Alps are in Switzerland...
- Winners (3): 1969, 1970, 1981
- Uhren CupUhrencupThe Uhrencup is a club football tournament, held annually in Switzerland.The tournament usually features four teams , each playing two matches, and is held in July at Stadion Brühl in Grenchen. As a friendly tournament, the format tends to be fluid...
- Winners (12): 1969, 1970, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1988, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011
- Nissan Cup
- Winners (1): 1985
- Basel Tournament
- Winners (1): 1985 (Shared with Bayern Munich & FK PartizanFK PartizanFudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
)
- Winners (1): 1985 (Shared with Bayern Munich & FK Partizan
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- 2nd Group Stage: 2002
First team
Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Heiko Vogel Heiko Vogel Heiko Vogel is a German football manager. Presently he is manager of the Swiss Swiss Super League club FC Basel.- Activ Career :... (caretaker) |
| Assistant Manager | Marco Walker Marco Walker Marco Walker is a Swiss former footballer who played as a defender during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He is currently a fitness coach at FC Basel.... |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Romain Crevoisier Romain Crevoisier Romain Crevoisier is a retired Swiss football goalkeeper who played in the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He is now a goalkeeping coach at FC Basel.... |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Thomas Grüter |
| Fitness Coach | Marco Walker Marco Walker Marco Walker is a Swiss former footballer who played as a defender during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He is currently a fitness coach at FC Basel.... |
| Athletic Coach | Nikola Vidović Nikola Vidović Nikola Vidović is a Croatian sports instructor. He is currently the athletic coach at Swiss football club FC Basel, as well as the Croatian national basketball team and volleyball team.... |
Reserve team (Under-21)
The following players are listed by Basel's website as Under-21 players. The team play in the Swiss 1. LigaSwiss 1. Liga (football)
1. Liga is the third tier of the Swiss Football League. The division is split into three groups of 16 teams, by geographical region.-Regional Format:...
.
(*) : Also been in senior team squad.
Under-19 team
The team has been put together out of members of the first team, the Under-21 and Under-18 teams, who are eligible to play in the 2011-12 NextGen series.Note: Results and dates can be found under 2011–12 NextGen series.
Ladies team
The following players are listed by Basel's website as Ladies TeamNotable former players
Switzerland Martin AndermattMartin Andermatt
Martin Andermatt is a Swiss football manager.-Career:The trained teacher commenced his career as player with SC Zug, FC Baar, FC Emmenbrücke, and FC Wettingen. After this followed assignments as professional with Grasshopper-Club Zürich and FC Basel...
René Bader
René Bader
René Bader is a Swiss football forward who played for Switzerland in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He also played for, and later managed, FC Basel.-External links:*...
Sébastien Barberis
Sébastien Barberis
Sébastien Barberis is a retired Swiss footballer. He is the son of Umberto Barberis.He started his career at Lausanne Sports in 1990 before moving to Servette FC in 1992. After five years there he moved to Swiss giants FC Basel in 1997. At Basel he won three Swiss Titles and two Swiss Cups as well...
Bruno Berner
Bruno Berner
Bruno Georg Berner is a Swiss footballer currently playing for Leicester City. Berner plays predominantly as a left back, but has also been deployed in other roles, such as central defence, left wing and most recently in central midfield while at Leicester.-Club Career:He has spent most of his...
René Botteron
René Botteron
René "Bobo" Botteron is a Swiss former football defender who played for various clubs in Switzerland, Germany and Belgium throughout the 1970s and 1980s.-Career:...
Mario Cantaluppi
Mario Cantaluppi
Mario "Lupo" Cantaluppi is a former footballer from Switzerland.-Club:Mario Cantaluppi started his professional career with Grasshopper-Club Zurich in 1990 and won the 1990–91 Nationaliga A in his debut season. In 1993, he dropped down a division to sign for FC Basel who were playing in the...
Massimo Ceccaroni
Massimo Ceccaroni
Massimo Ceccaroni is a retiredSwiss-Italian football player. He played for FC Basel for most of his career. He is now a trainer at amateur club BSC Old Boys. His brother, Stefano, also played for Basel....
Frédéric Chassot
Frédéric Chassot
Frédéric Chassot is a Swiss former footballer who played as a striker during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.-Career:...
David DegenDavid Degen
David Degen is a Swiss footballer currently playing for BSC Young Boys, mostly as a right midfielder, in the Swiss Super League. He is half Dutch as his mother is from the Netherlands...
Philipp DegenPhilipp Degen
Philipp Degen is a Swiss footballer. Degen is usually a right back but can also play at left back or on the right wing...
Eren DerdiyokEren Derdiyok
Eren Derdiyok is a Swiss footballer of Kurdish descent. He plays as a striker.-Club career:BSC Old Boys:At Derdiyok is a powerful striker who can also fill in a centre-back if needed. He started his career with Swiss minnows BSC Old Boys at the beginning of the 2005–06 season in which scored 10...
Antonio EspositoAntonio Esposito
Antonio Esposito is a Swiss-Italian former football midfielder who played throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He is remembered most for his time at Grasshopper-Club Zürich and FC Basel.-Career:...
Alexander Frei Didier Gigon
Didier Gigon
Didier Gigon is a Swiss former footballer who played as a midfielder during the 1980s 1990's and early 2000s....
Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper
Joan Gamper previously known as Hans Kamper was a Swiss football pioneer, player and club president. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Catalonia , most notably FC Basel, FC Zurich and FC Barcelona....
Bernt Haas
Bernt Haas
Bernt Haas is a Swiss football defender who plays for the Swiss club FC St. Gallen.-Career:Haas began his career at Grasshoppers Zurich, where he played for several seasons before moving to England to join Sunderland...
Thomas Häberli
Thomas Häberli
Thomas Häberli is a retired Swiss football striker who last played for BSC Young Boys in the Swiss Super League. He joined the club from FC Basel in July 2000...
René Hasler
René Hasler
René Hasler is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel for most of his career, and the Swiss national team.-Career:...
Heinz Hermann
Heinz Hermann
Heinz Hermann is a former Swiss international footballer.On 1 July 1977 Heinz Hermann changed from FC Seefeld Zürich to Grasshopper-Club Zürich, where he became Swiss league champion four times and cup champion once. At the end of the season 1984/1985 he changed to Neuchâtel Xamax, and he later...
Dominique Herr
Dominique Herr
Dominique Herr is a Swiss former football defender who played throughout the 1980s and 1990s.-Career:Herr started his career at local club FC Basel in 1984 where he was a squad player and played mainly for the FC Basel Under-21's for the first couple of seasons...
Ernst Hufschmid
Ernst Hufschmid (footballer)
Ernst Hufschmid was a Swiss footballer who played for Switzerland in the 1934 FIFA World Cup. He also played for and later managed FC Basel and FC Breitenbach.-External links:* at FIFA.com...
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin Huggel
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.-Early life:...
Josef Hügi
Josef Hügi
Josef "Sepp" Hügi was a Swiss international footballer who played as a striker during the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s....
Gökhan İnlerGökhan Inler
Gökhan İnler is a Turkish-Swiss football player who plays as a central midfielder for Serie A side Napoli.-Early career:İnler started his career at FC Basel, but was later loaned out to FC Schaffhausen...
Alfred Jäck
Alfred Jäck
Alfred Jäck was a Swiss footballer who played as a forward. He played for Servette and Basel before moving to France in 1936. He spent a season with French first division side Olympique Lillois, followed by a further two seasons with Mulhouse...
Leopold Kielholz
Leopold Kielholz
Leopold "Poldi" Kielholz was a Swiss footballer . He participated in the 1934 FIFA World Cup, scoring 3 goals, and also in the 1938 FIFA World Cup. The clubs he belonged to while participating in these tournaments were Servette Geneva and SC YF Juventus. He also played for Stade de Reims in 1936-37...
Adrian Knup
Adrian Knup
Adrian Knup is a retired Swiss football striker.He was capped 49 times and scored 26 goals for the Swiss national team between 1989 and 1996, including three games at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Football career:...
Oumar KondéOumar Kondé
Oumar Kondé is a Swiss footballer. He plays for TOT S.C. in Thailand.- Career :Kondé started his career in his native Switzerland with FC Basel, before he was sold to Premier League club Blackburn Rovers for £500,000...
Erni Maissen
Erni Maissen
Ernst "Erni" Maissen is a Swiss former footballer who played as a midfielder or striker during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. He is best known for his three spells at FC Basel.-Football career:...
André Muff
André Muff
André Muff is a former Swiss footballer. He last played for FC Concordia Basel. He has also appeared in the squad four times for the Switzerland national football team, but played only twice...
Patrick Müller
Patrick Müller
Patrick Müller is a Swiss professional footballer who currently is a Free Agent after ending his contract with Monaco.-Club career:...
Karl Odermatt
Karl Odermatt
Karl Odermatt is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel and BSC Young Boys throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played as a midfielder or striker and is generally regarded as one of the best players ever to have worn the FC Basel shirt...
Bruno Rahmen
Bruno Rahmen
Bruno Rahmen is a former Swiss football player and manager.- Private Life :After his football career Rahmen worked for the Basler chemical industry and advanced to Sales Executive before his retirement. He married Marlis in 1966 and they have two sons Patrick and Micha, both of whom also became...
Alexandre Rey
Alexandre Rey
Alexandre Rey is a Swiss former footballer who played as a striker during the 1990s and 2000s. He is best known for his spells at Servette FC and Neuchâtel Xamax.-Career:...
Marco Schällibaum
Marco Schällibaum
Marco Schällibaum is a Swiss football manager, last in charge of AC Bellinzona in the Swiss Super League.-External links:...
Boris SmiljanićBoris Smiljanic
Boris Smiljanić is a Swiss football player of Croatian descent who currently plays in defence for Grasshopper in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
Kurt Stettler
Kurt Stettler
Kurt Stettler is a Swiss football goalkeeper who played for Switzerland in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. He also played for FC Basel.-References:...
Marco Streller
Marco Streller
Marco Streller is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a striker for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club career:...
Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker
Valentin Stocker is a Swiss international footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Club:...
Nestor SubiatNestor Subiat
Néstor Gabriel Subiat is a retired Argentine-Swiss footballer, who played as a striker.He never played professionally in his country, representing several clubs in France and Switzerland, and appearing with the Swiss national team at the 1994 World Cup.-Club career:The son of a former FC Mulhouse...
Beat Sutter
Beat Sutter
Beat Sutter is a Swiss former football striker who played throughout the 1980s and 1990s.Sutter began his career with FC Basel in 1981 and went on to play 114 matches for the club before he left to join Neuchâtel Xamax in 1986. He spent the best years of his career at Xamax, playing over 200 games...
Marco Walker
Marco Walker
Marco Walker is a Swiss former footballer who played as a defender during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He is currently a fitness coach at FC Basel....
Hans Weber
Hans Weber
Hans Weber is a Swiss football midfielder who played for Switzerland in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. He also played for FC Basel.-External links:*...
Hakan YakınHakan Yakin
Hakan Yakin is a Swiss footballer. He currently plays for Swiss Super League club FC Luzern. He was member of the Swiss national team for eleven years.-Personal life:...
Murat YakınMurat Yakin
Murat Yakin is a Swiss-Turkish football coach and former Swiss national player. He is currently the coach of FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League.-Playing career:...
Reto Zanni
Reto Zanni
Reto Zanni is a Swiss footballer who plays for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Challenge League.-Football career:Zanni started off playing football for SC Buochs and then was scouted by Grasshopper-Club Zürich subsequently starting his professional career with Grasshopper-Club in 1998 at the age of 18...
Pascal Zuberbühler
Pascal Zuberbühler
Pascal Zuberbühler is a Swiss footballer who is currently the goalkeeping coach for the Philippines. He was recently released by Fulham after coming to the end of his contract.-Club career:...
Dario Zuffi
Dario Zuffi
Dario Zuffi is a Swiss football coach and former international player, who is currently a coach for FC Winterthur's U-21 team.-Playing career:Dario Zuffi first became famous when he was playing on BSC Young Boys...
Marco Zwyssig
Marco Zwyssig
Marco Zwyssig is a retired Swiss football defender. He is best remembered for his time at FC St. Gallen and FC Basel. He also played for the Switzerland national football team.- Football career :...
Argentina César Carignano Christian Giménez
Franco CostanzoFranco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
Matías Delgado Julio Rossi
Julio Hernan Rossi
Julio Hernan Rossi is an Argentinian football striker. He most recently played for Neuchâtel Xamax.-Football career:...
Australia
Scott ChipperfieldScott Chipperfield
Scott Kenneth Chipperfield is an Australian international football player who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.-Personal life:...
Ljubo MiličevićLjubo Milicevic
Ljubo Miličević is an Australian football player who currently plays for Hajduk Split in the Prva HNL.-Early Career and Overseas:...
Mile SterjovskiMile Sterjovski
Mile Sterjovski is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Perth Glory and played for the Australian national team from 2000 to 2010, before he retired from international football after his non-selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup...
Austria Thomas Mandl
Thomas Mandl
Thomas Mandl is an Austrian football goalkeeper, who currently plays for Trenkwalder Admira in the Austrian Football First League.-Club career:...
Bosnia and Herzegovina Vedad Ibišević
Vedad Ibiševic
Vedad Ibišević is a Bosnian footballer playing as striker for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga and the Bosnian national team. He has also played in Switzerland, the USA and France...
Admir Smajić
Admir Smajic
Admir Smajić is a Bosnian former football defender who played for SFR Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Football career:...
Brazil Kléber
Kléber de Carvalho Corrêa
Kléber de Carvalho Corrêa , commonly known as Kléber, is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing as a left wingback for Sport Club Internacional.-Club career:Kléber began his career in Corinthians...
Cristiano
Cristiano dos Santos Rodrigues
Cristiano dos Santos Rodrigues , commonly known as Cristiano, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker for South Australian Premier League side White City FC.-Early career:...
Bulgaria Petar Aleksandrov
Petar Aleksandrov
Petar Aleksandrov is a Bulgarian former footballer who played for various clubs in Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland during the 1980s and 1990s...
Cameroon Timothée Atouba Jean-Michel Tchouga
Jean-Michel Tchouga
Jean-Michel Tchouga is a footballer from Cameroon who currently plays as striker for SC Kriens in the Swiss Challenge League.-External Links:*-References:...
Hervé Tum
Hervé Tum
Hervé Tum is a Cameroonian football striker currently playing for Gençlerbirliği in the Turkish Super League.- References :**...
Chile Eduardo Rubio
Eduardo Rubio
Eduardo Javier Rubio Köstner is a Chilean international footballer who plays as a striker for C.D. La Serena in the Primera División de Chile.-Club:...
Czech Republic Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc
Vratislav Lokvenc is a former Czech football striker who last played for FC Ingolstadt 04.- Career :Before joining Salzburg, Lokvenc played for Hradec Králové , Sparta Prague , Kaiserslautern , and VfL Bochum of the German Bundesliga...
Denmark Eigil Nielsen
Eigil Nielsen (footballer born 1948)
Eigil Nielsen is a former Danish footballer who played as a midfielder during the 1960s, 1970's and 1980s....
Lars Olsen
Lars Olsen
Lars Christian Olsen is a Danish former professional association football player and manager, who currently coaches Faroe Islands national team. He started his coaching career with Randers FC in 2003, guiding them to promotion for the Danish Superliga. He led the team to the 2006 Danish Cup...
Ecuador Felipe Caicedo
Felipe Caicedo
Felipe Salvador Caicedo Corozo is an Ecuadorian footballer who plays as a striker for Lokomotiv Moscow.-Basel:...
Georgia Mikhail Kavelashvili
Mikhail Kavelashvili
Mikhail Kavelashvili is a Georgian former footballer.As with many leading Georgian players, Kavelahvili began his career with FC Dinamo Tbilisi, emerging from their youth system in 1989. A skillful striker, he soon established himself in the Dinamo side before earning a move to Russian club FC...
Germany Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus is a German retired football player and former coach. He spent his best playing days at Westfalia Herne and his best coaching days at FC Basel.-Playing career:...
Franco Foda
Franco Foda
Franco Foda is a retired German football player in the defender role who is currently the manager of Austrian side SK Sturm Graz.-Football career:...
Maurizio Gaudino
Maurizio Gaudino
Maurizio Gaudino is a retired German football midfielder.He was capped five times for Germany in 1993 and 1994, and was in their squad for the 1994 World Cup....
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General ....
Oliver Kreuzer
Oliver Kreuzer
Oliver Kreuzer is a German former footballer who played as a defender for Karlsruher SC, FC Bayern Munich and FC Basel.-Football career:...
Axel Kruse
Axel Kruse
Axel Kruse is a former German football and American football player.Kruse was born in Wolgast, East Germany and played for several Bundesliga football clubs. After retiring from soccer, he played American football as a placekicker for NFL Europe’s team Berlin Thunder from 1999–2003.-References:...
Harald Nickel
Harald Nickel
Harald Nickel is a German former footballer.-References:**...
Stefan Reisch
Stefan Reisch
Stefan Reisch is a German former footballer who played as a midfielder during the 1960s and 1970s.-Career:...
Markus Schupp
Markus Schupp
Markus Schupp is a German football manager and former player.-Career:Schupp started playing professionally in 1984 at 1. FC Kaiserslautern, where won the German Cup in 1990 and the League Title in 1991. He went on to play over 150 matches for the club over seven years before joining SG...
Gerhard Strack
Gerhard Strack
Gerhard "Gerd" Strack is a retired German footballer.He earned 10 caps and scored one goal for West Germany from 1982 to 1983, and was included in the West German team for the 1984 UEFA European Football Championship, but did not play....
Ghana Samuel Inkoom
Samuel Inkoom
Samuel Inkoom is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who currently plays as a defender for Ukrainian club FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Ukrainian Premier League and the Ghana national team.-Career:- Club :...
Alex Nyarko
Alex Nyarko
Alexander Nyarko is a former Ghanaian football player.-Football career:Nyarko started his career at Ghana, and in 1995 he joined FC Basel from Sportul Studenţesc, followed by Karlsruher SC in Germany; then RC Lens for two seasons, and in 2000 joined Everton FC for £4.5M, signing a contract until...
Hungary Zoltán Czibor
Zoltán Czibor
Zoltán Czibor Suhai , also referred to as Czibor Zoltán, was a Hungarian footballer who played for several Hungarian clubs, including Ferencváros TC and Honvéd, and Hungary before joining CF Barcelona. Czibor played as a left-winger or striker and was notable for having a powerful shot, good...
Alfréd Schaffer
Alfréd Schaffer
Alfréd Schaffer was a Hungarian footballer who has the distinction of playing for a record number of professional clubs; he played for a total of 21 clubs in a 15 year career which lasted from 1910–1925....
Japan Kōji Nakata
Koji Nakata
Kōji Nakata is a Japanese football player who played at both the Football World Cup 2002, and the Football World Cup 2006. He currently plays for Kashima Antlers in the J...
Liberia
Louis CraytonLouis Crayton
Louis Crayton is a Liberian footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Europe:...
Liechtenstein Franz Burgmeier
Franz Burgmeier
Franz Burgmeier is a Liechtenstein footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Vaduz in the Swiss Challenge League. Born in Triesen, Burgmeier was a burgeoning footballer and keen skier, until he gave up the latter sport at 16 following a serious injury. Having been a youth player for Triesen, he...
Mario Frick
Mario Frick (footballer)
Mario Frick is a Swiss-born Liechtensteiner football striker, who plays for Liechtenstein side FC Balzers in the Swiss 1st League.-Liechtenstein:...
David Hasler
David Hasler
David Hasler is a Liechtenstein football midfielder, who plays for FC Vaduz in the Swiss Challenge League.The most highly-rated young player in Liechtenstein, Hasler signed a three-year contract with Swiss side FC Basel in 2007 after making his name at USV Eschen/Mauren in his homeland. FC Zürich...
Netherlands Adrie van Kraay
Adrie van Kraay
Adrianus Ambrosius Cornelis van Kraaij , commonly known as Adrie van Kraay, is a retired football central defender from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, wearing the number four jersey. He played for PSV Eindhoven from 1971 until 1982,...
Nigeria Ike Shorunmu
Ike Shorunmu
Ike Ibrahim Shorunmu is a football goalkeeper from Nigeria.-Career:After a few years in Nigeria he moved to play in Switzerland, and made his mark there. He was bought by Turkish club Beşiktaş J.K. in 1999 for $2,400,000 — but they released him as they thought he spent too much time with the...
Norway Ørjan Berg
Ørjan Berg
Ørjan Berg is a former Norwegian football midfielder, who most recently played for Rosenborg. He retired at the end of the 2006 season, and has previously played for F.K. Bodø/Glimt, FC Wettingen, 1860 Munich, and FC Basel...
Peru Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
Portugal Carlitos
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia
Carlos Alberto Alves Garcia , aka Carlitos, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga, as a left winger.-Football career:...
José GonçalvesJosé Gonçalves
José Gonçalves is a Portuguese footballer of Cape Verdean descent currently playing for FC Sion in the Swiss Super League. He is Portuguese by birth but has Swiss citizenship, having lived there since he was two years old...
Romania Adrian Falub
Adrian Falub
Adrian Falub is a former football player. He is one of the most loved footballers that played for U Cluj because of his attachment to the colors of this club.-Club career:...
Dan Potocianu
Dan Potocianu
Dan Ion Potocianu is a Romanian former footballer who played as a defender during the 1990s and early 2000s.-Career:...
Russia Aleksandr Rytchkov
Aleksandr Rytchkov
Aleksandr Nikolayevich Rytchkov is a former football player from Russia.He played for Standard de Liège, RC Lens, 1. FC Köln, FC Basel, SR Delémont, SC Paderborn 07 and AC Bellinzona. He was fired by RC Lens for doping in 1996.-References:...
Scotland Gordon Smith
Senegal Papa Malick Ba
Papa Malick Ba
Papa Malick Ba is a Senegalese international footballer who is currently contracted with FC Nantes. He can play as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder but is preferred in the latter role due his lack of ability in the air, respectively.-Club:Ba started his career with Tunisian club...
Serbia
Ivan ErgićIvan Ergic
Ivan Ergić is an international footballer from Serbia. He is a free agent, last playing for Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, he played as midfielder. He holds Serbian and Australian citizenship.-Club:...
Zdravko Kuzmanović
Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Zdravko Kuzmanović is a Swiss-born Serbian footballer who plays as a midfielder for VfB Stuttgart in the Germanic Bundesliga.-Early life:...
Marko Perović
Slovakia Miroslav König
Miroslav König
Miroslav König is a Slovak former footballer who played as a goalkeeper during the 1990s and 2000s. He played for a number of clubs in Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, the Czech Republic and Greece.-Career:...
South Africa
Delron BuckleyDelron Buckley
Delron Sebastian Buckley is a South African footballer playing for Karlsruher SC.-Club career:Buckley's soccer career began with his local team Butcherfille Rovers Durban, but when he was 17 years old he was signed by German club VfL Bochum...
George KoumantarakisGeorge Koumantarakis
Georgios "George" Koumantarakis is a retired South African football player of Greek descent. He was born in Athens, Greece but grew up in Durban, South Africa....
Sweden
Daniel MajstorovićDaniel Majstorovic
Daniel Majstorović is a Swedish footballer of Serbian origin who plays as a centre back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Swedish national team....
Behrang SafariBehrang Safari
Behrang Safari is an Iranian-born Swedish international footballer who plays as a defender for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League.-Early life:He came to Sweden as a two-year-old from Tehran, Iran with his family...
Singapore V. Sundramoorthy
Yugoslavia Radivoje Ognjanović
Radivoje Ognjanovic
Radivoje Ognjanović is a Serbian football manager and former player. He received 5 caps playing for Yugoslavia.With FK Partizan he won Yugoslav Cup 1952 and national Championship 1962.-External links:...
Managers
- See also .
NOTE: Early history is largely unknown.
Percy Humphreys
Percy Humphreys
Percy Humphreys was an English international footballer, who played at inside-right, who later became a football manager.-Club career:...
(1913–14) Max Breunig
Max Breunig
Max Breunig was a German amateur football player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics....
(1922–23) Gyula Kertész
Gyula Kertész
Gyula Kertész was a Hungarian international footballer who played alongside his two brothers, Vilmos and Adolf...
(1928–30)
Gustav Putzendople (1930–32) Otto Haftel (1932)Karl KurzKarl Kurz
Karl Kurz was an Austrian football player and manager.-Club:Kurz played mostly as a winger but by the end of his career he had been deployed as a central midfielder on occasions...
(1932–33) Josef Haist (1933–34) Richard Dombi (1934) Alvin Riemke (1934–36) Heinz Körner (1936–37) Fernand Jaccard
Fernand Jaccard
Fernand Alfred Jaccard was a Swiss football midfielder.-Career:Jaccard played in the 1934 FIFA World Cup. He went on to manage FC Basel from 1937 to 1939, after retiring from playing. He then coached FC Locarno, Servette FC, Cantonal Neuchâtel FC, FC Chiasso and FC Lausanne-Sport.- References :...
(1937–39) Walter Dietrich
Walter Dietrich
Walter Dietrich was a Swiss footballer.He was a member of the Swiss team, which won the silver medal in the football tournament at the 1924 Summer Olympics.- External links :* *...
(1939) Max Galler (1939–40) Eugen Rupf (1940–43) Willy Wolf (1943–46) Max Barras (1946) Anton Schall
Anton Schall
Anton Schall was an Austrian football forward who played for Austria in the 1934 FIFA World Cup. He also played for FK Austria Wien, and later managed FC Basel.-References:...
(1946–47) Ernst Hufschmid
Ernst Hufschmid (footballer)
Ernst Hufschmid was a Swiss footballer who played for Switzerland in the 1934 FIFA World Cup. He also played for and later managed FC Basel and FC Breitenbach.-External links:* at FIFA.com...
(1947–52) René Bader
René Bader
René Bader is a Swiss football forward who played for Switzerland in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He also played for, and later managed, FC Basel.-External links:*...
(1952–55) Willy Dürr (1955)
Béla Sárosi (1955–57) Rudi Strittich
Rudi Strittich
Rudi Strittich was an Austrian football coach and former player.-Club career:He debuted for Vorwärts Steyr, and later played for First Vienna FC. While with First Vienna, he went on a tour of the Middle East and upon returning was arrested along with two other players for smuggling narcotics into...
(1957–58) René Bader
René Bader
René Bader is a Swiss football forward who played for Switzerland in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He also played for, and later managed, FC Basel.-External links:*...
(1958–59) Jenő Vincze (1959–61) Georges Sobotka
Jirí Sobotka
Jiří Sobotka , aka Georges Sobotka, is a former Czechoslovak footballer, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia , and participated at the 1934 FIFA World Cup when Czechoslovakia came in second....
(1961–65) Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus is a German retired football player and former coach. He spent his best playing days at Westfalia Herne and his best coaching days at FC Basel.-Playing career:...
(1965–82) Rainer Ohlhauser (1982–83) Ernst August Künnecke (1983–85) Emil Müller (1985) Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus
Helmut Benthaus is a German retired football player and former coach. He spent his best playing days at Westfalia Herne and his best coaching days at FC Basel.-Playing career:...
(1985–87) Urs Siegenthaler (1987–90) Ernst August Künnecke (1990–92) Karl Odermatt
Karl Odermatt
Karl Odermatt is a Swiss former footballer who played for FC Basel and BSC Young Boys throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played as a midfielder or striker and is generally regarded as one of the best players ever to have worn the FC Basel shirt...
and
Bruno RahmenBruno Rahmen
Bruno Rahmen is a former Swiss football player and manager.- Private Life :After his football career Rahmen worked for the Basler chemical industry and advanced to Sales Executive before his retirement. He married Marlis in 1966 and they have two sons Patrick and Micha, both of whom also became...
(1992) Friedel Rausch
Friedel Rausch
Friedel Rausch is a German football manager and former player.He moved from Meidericher SV to Schalke where he stayed until 1971 playing as a defender. After his retirement he became manager starting at his former club Schalke...
(1992–93) Claude Andrey
Claude Andrey
Claude "Didi" Andrey is a former Swiss footballer, currently managing Yverdon-Sport FC in the Challenge League.-External links:...
(1993–95) Karl Engel
Karl Engel (footballer)
Karl Engel is a Swiss former footballer who played as a goalkeeper during the 1970s and 1980s.-Career:Engel began playing professionally in 1971 with FC Lucerne, where he continued to play until 1975 when he signed for Servette FC...
(1995–97) Jörg Berger
Jörg Berger
Jörg Berger was a German football manager and player, who last managed Arminia Bielefeld.- Coaching career :...
(1997–98) Guy Mathez
Guy Mathez
Guy Mathez is a Swiss football manager. He comes from Canton of Jura. Amongst others, he coached Servette FC from 1982 until 1985 and FC Basel from 1997 until 1999.-References:...
(1998–99) Christian Gross
Christian Gross
Christian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
(1999-09) Thorsten Fink
Thorsten Fink
Thorsten Fink is a German football coach and former player, currently manager of Bundesliga club Hamburger SV.-Career:...
(2009–11) Heiko Vogel
Heiko Vogel
Heiko Vogel is a German football manager. Presently he is manager of the Swiss Swiss Super League club FC Basel.- Activ Career :...
(2011)
Superleague Formula
FC Basel has a team in the Superleague Formula race car series where football teams lend their name to cars. GU-Racing InternationalGU-Racing International
GU-Racing International is a German racing team owned by Günther Unterreitmeier. The team was founded in 2003.-History:The team has competed in several series, including Superleague Formula running the Olympiacos CFP and the FC Basel 1893 teams. They also run A1 Team Germany in A1 Grand Prix...
has operated the car for all seasons and Max Wissel has drove the car in all the races. FC Basel and Wissel have won 1 race, in the 2009 season
2009 Superleague Formula season
The 2009 Superleague Formula season was the second Superleague Formula championship. The series has been rebranded "Superleague Formula by Sonangol" for this season and also 2010 with the Angolan oil company becoming the title sponsor...
at Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
. The team have scored 3 other podiums in the series.