Fabian Frei
Encyclopedia
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. He is of no relation to club and country team mate Alexander Frei.
, but he came through the ranks at FC Basel
. With Basel he was Swiss Champion at both U-16 and U-18 levels. During the 2006-2007 season Frei played in the U-21 team, he played so well that he was given a professional contract. Because he was one of the best midfielders in the U-21 side, ahead of the 2007/08 season Frei was called into the first team squad.
Frei played his first team debut on 22 July 2007 in the 1:0 home win against FC Zürich. He played a major part in Basel's title and cup win in the 2007-08 season. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December 2008 during Basel's 3–1 win over FC Aarau
in the St. Jakob-Park
Stadium. Frei played his first Europa League game, as substitute, on Thursday, 16 August 2007 in the Qualifier against SV Mattersburg
. He played his UEFA Champions League
debut for Basel on 26 November 2008 in the 5:0 away defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk
.
In July 2009, due to the fact that Basel strengthened their squad for the beginning of the 2009–10 Swiss Super League
season, Basel's new trainer Thorsten Fink
loaned Fabian Frei to FC St. Gallen
. During his two year loan in St. Gallen he played 64 league games in which he scored 13 goals.
For the start of the 2011–12 Swiss Super League
season he was recalled to Basel, the reigning Swiss Champions, and he immediately won his place in the starting eleven. Frei scored his first Champions League goal for Basel on the 14 September 2011 in the Group C 2:1 home win against Oțelul Galați
, his second on 27 September in the 3:3 draw at Old Trafford
against Manchester United
and his third on 22 November in the Arena Națională, in Bucharest
, as Basel won the away game against Oțelul Galați 3:2.
team. His last game was the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final on 25 June 2011.
Following this he was called into the Swiss national football team
by trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld
. Frei gave his debut for Switzerland on 7 October 2011 in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
game in the Liberty Stadium, Swansea
against Wales
.
Basel
International
Individual Awards:
Basel
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....
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel
FC Basel
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...
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...
, after a two year loan at 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:...
. Until June 2011 he was player in the Swiss U-21
Switzerland national under-21 football team
The Switzerland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association...
team. He is of no relation to club and country team mate Alexander Frei.
Club career
Frei started his youth football by FC Frauenfeld and FC WinterthurFC 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...
, but he came through the ranks at FC Basel
FC Basel
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...
. With Basel he was Swiss Champion at both U-16 and U-18 levels. During the 2006-2007 season Frei played in the U-21 team, he played so well that he was given a professional contract. Because he was one of the best midfielders in the U-21 side, ahead of the 2007/08 season Frei was called into the first team squad.
Frei played his first team debut on 22 July 2007 in the 1:0 home win against FC Zürich. He played a major part in Basel's title and cup win in the 2007-08 season. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December 2008 during Basel's 3–1 win over FC Aarau
FC Aarau
FC Aarau is a Swiss football club, based in Aarau. They play in the Swiss Challenge League.-History:FC Aarau was formed on 26 May 1902 by workers from a local brewery. The early days of the club were a success and they won the Swiss championship in 1911/12 and then again in 1913/14...
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...
Stadium. Frei played his first Europa League game, as substitute, on Thursday, 16 August 2007 in the Qualifier against 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....
. He played his 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...
debut for Basel on 26 November 2008 in the 5:0 away defeat against 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...
.
In July 2009, due to the fact that Basel strengthened their squad for the beginning of the 2009–10 Swiss Super League
2009–10 Swiss Super League
The 2009–10 Swiss Super League is the 113th season of top-tier football in Switzerland. The competition is officially named AXPO Super League due to sponsoring purposes. It began on 11 July 2009 and will end in May 2010. FC Zürich were the defending champions...
season, Basel's new trainer Thorsten Fink
Thorsten Fink
Thorsten Fink is a German football coach and former player, currently manager of Bundesliga club Hamburger SV.-Career:...
loaned Fabian Frei to 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:...
. During his two year loan in St. Gallen he played 64 league games in which he scored 13 goals.
For the start of the 2011–12 Swiss Super League
2011–12 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...
season he was recalled to Basel, the reigning Swiss Champions, and he immediately won his place in the starting eleven. Frei scored his first Champions League goal for Basel on the 14 September 2011 in the Group C 2:1 home win against Oțelul Galați
FC Otelul Galati
Fotbal Club Oțelul Galați is a Romanian football club based in Galați . They have spent the majority of the last few decades in the top division, securing several seasons of European football and enjoying success in the Romanian Cup. They won their first league title in the 2010–2011 season and...
, his second on 27 September in the 3:3 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:...
against 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...
and his third on 22 November in the Arena Națională, in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, as Basel won the away game against Oțelul Galați 3:2.
International career
Between 2007 and 2011 Fabian Frei played 18 games for the Switzerland U-21Switzerland national under-21 football team
The Switzerland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association...
team. His last game was the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final on 25 June 2011.
Following this he was called into the Swiss national football team
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
by trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General ....
. Frei gave his debut for Switzerland on 7 October 2011 in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
The qualifying competition for UEFA Euro 2012 is a series of parallel association football competitions held over 2010 and 2011 to decide the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012, to be held in Poland and Ukraine...
game in the Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Liberty Stadium, Swansea
The Liberty Stadium is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,532 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the third largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the...
against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.
Honours
Team Awards:Basel
- Swiss Champion at U-16 level
- Swiss Champion at U-18 level: 2005/06
- Swiss Cup Winner at U-19/U-18 level: 2005/06
- Swiss Cup: 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....
- 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...
: 2008Swiss Super League 2007-08-End of season:Last updated 10 May 2008Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points... - 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...
: 2008, 2011
International
- 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
: Finalist
Individual Awards:
Basel
- Goal of the Year 2008-2009: scored on 5 December 2008 against FC AarauFC AarauFC Aarau is a Swiss football club, based in Aarau. They play in the Swiss Challenge League.-History:FC Aarau was formed on 26 May 1902 by workers from a local brewery. The early days of the club were a success and they won the Swiss championship in 1911/12 and then again in 1913/14...