2003–04 FC Basel season

FC Basel

2003–04 season
Chairman	Werner Edelmann
Manager	Christian Gross
Stadium	St. Jakob-Park
Swiss Super League	Champions
	Round 3
UEFA Cup	Round 2
Top goalscorer	Christian Giménez (16)
Highest home attendance	30,800 vs Grasshoppers (23.11.2003) 30,000 vs Newcastle United (6.11.2003)
Lowest home attendance	21,803 vs Xamax (28.04.2004)
Average home league attendance	29,850
← 2002–03 2004–05 →

The 2003–04 season was Fussball Club Basel 1893's 111th in existence and the club's 10th consecutive season in the Nationalliga A, the top flight of Swiss football. Basel played their home games in the newly constructed St. Jakob-Park complex. Local businessman Werner Edelmann was the club's chairman for the second consecutive season.

The Club's main aims for the 2003–04 season were to regain the league title and, as cup holders, to retain their cup title. The third aim was to remain in the UEFA Cup as long as possible. During pre-season Basel won the Uhrencup and the Alpen Cup. 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 Super League season started impeccably, Basel won the first thirteen matches straight off. They completed the first half of the season undefeated, with seventeen wins and one draw. Basel remained in top position right up until the end of the season, thus achieving their championship aim. In the club's history this was their tenth championship title.

Overview[]

Despite the fact that Grasshopper Club Zürich were the reigning Swiss champions, Basel were favourites to win the domestic championship title. As runners-up of the previous Nationalliga A season, Basel entered the UEFA Cup in first round. Basel's biggest signing in advance of the 2003–04 season was Matías Emilio Delgado from Chacarita Juniors^[1] But in the other direction Hakan Yakin left the club and transferred to Paris Saint-Germain.^[2] Philippe Cravero moved on to Servette after five seasons with the club, in which he had played 185 games. Of these 108 were in the Nationalliga A, eight in the Swiss Cup, four in the UEFA Cup, 12 in the UI Cup and 53 were friendly games. Bernt Haas returned to West Bromwich Albion after the end of the loan period.^[3]

FC Basel started the season off with various warm-up matches. These included teams from the Swiss lower league as well as teams from the German Bundesliga, the French Ligue 1 and the Romanian Liga I. The season began on 16 July 2003 with the home game against Zürich and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup began on 24 September 2003.

Before the winter break Hakan Yakin returned to the club from Paris Saint-Germain and during the winter break they signed Francisco Gabriel Guerrero on loan from FC Zürich.

The Campaign[]

Domestic League[]

The Swiss Football Association (ASF-SFV) had changed the format of the domestic league. Since the 1987–88 Nationalliga A season there were 24 teams in the Nationalliga, 12 in the Nationalliga A and 12 in the Nationalliga B. In the first stage there was a qualifying phase played as double round-robin. In the second phase the top eight clubs played a further double round-robin for the championship, the last eight teams played against relegation to the amateur league and the last four teams from the top level played a promotion/relegation round for the top tier in the following season. Last season was last in that format. The new format was called Swiss Super League, or with the sponsor name Axpo Super League. As of this season, there were ten teams in the top tier and eighteen in the second tier. In the top tier, the teams played a double round-robin in the first half of the season and then another double round-robin in the second half. There were three points for a victory and one each for a draw. The champions and runners-up would enter the qualifying rounds of the [2004–05 Champions League, the third placed team would enter the UEFA Cup second qualifying round. The bottom placed team would be relegated the second last team would play a play-off against relegation.

Basel's priority aim for the season was to win the league championship. The season started impeccably, Basel won the first thirteen matches straight off and moved to the top of the league table from the first round. They completed the first half of the season undefeated, with seventeen wins and one draw.

Basel completed the seasons eighteen home ties undefeated, winning fourteen and drawing four. Their biggest home wins were two 6-0 wins against Servette and Neuchâtel Xamax. Four home games were reported as sold out, the highest attendance being 30,800 spectators on 23 November 2003 in their highest scoring match of the season, a 5–2 win against Grasshopper. Basel remained in top position in the table until the end of the season, thus achieving their championship aim. This was the club's tenth championship title in the club's history. They won the championship with 26 victories and seven draws, the team had suffered just three away defeats, and obtained 85 points. This meant that they were 13 points ahead of second placed Young Boys. Wil were bottom-placed and relegated and Neuchâtel Xamax played the play-out.^[4]

Basel scored 86 goals during their league season, conceding 32. Christian Giménez was the teams top league scorer with 16 goals, Marco Streller second best with 13 and both Benjamin Huggel and Julio Hernán Rossi netted eight times. Scott Chipperfield, Hervé Tum and Murat Yakin each scored seven times.^[5]

Domestic Cup[]

As cup holders, Basel's clear aim for the Swiss Cup was to retain the title. In the first two rounds of the 2003–04 Swiss Cup Basel were drawn away and won their games against lower league teams, FC Alle and Urania Genève Sport as expected. In the third round they were drawn away in the Hardturm Stadion against Grasshopper Club Zürich but lost 1-0. Thus Basel were eliminated and missed their domestic cup aim. Grasshoppers advanced as far as the final, but here they were surprisingly defeated by Wil.^[4]

Europe[]

As runners-up in the Swiss championship the previous season and as Swiss Cup winners Basel were qualified for the UEFA Cup first round. The club's aim was remain in the UEFA Cup as long as possible. But 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.

Malatyaspor (24 September 2003)

In the first round Basel were drawn against Malatyaspor and played the first leg away in the Malatya İnönü Stadium in Malatya in front of a sold out 10,000 capacity attendance. Basel had to play without their best scorer Christian Giménez, defender Timothée Atouba, and the midfield players Esposito and Ivan Ergic who were out injured. Basel started well into the game and their captain Murat Yakin put them a goal up after 15 minutes. The home team increased the pressure after the break and the visitors defence had to play at their best. Despite seeing the yellow card in the 51st minute, the visitors captain and centre back was the best Basel player on the day. Basel goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler also saw the yellow card in after 71 minutes for time-wasting, but he was able to keep a clean score sheet until the end of the game. The captains younger brother Hakan, who had been substituted in just seven minutes earlier, finished off Basel's good move in the 75th minute to give the visitors a two goal lead. And the 2–0 lead was held up until the end of the game.^[6]

Return match (15 October 2003)

Basel started very quickly into the second leg match held at St. Jakob-Park with two good early chances. Hervé Tum's header after just 45 seconds was a little too wide and Timothée Atouba tried a long range shot only a minute later but this was somewhat too high. But then the home team then defended their aggregate lead by simply keeping their Turkish opponents at bay by giving them a lot of space in the midfield area. Basel's goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler only had to get involved once during the first half, this after 35 minutes as Muhammet Akagündüz appeared threateningly before him, but Atouba got back quickly to clear the danger. After the break the game changed. The visitors pushed forward with more pressure, had their first chance, but his shot hit the outside of the post. Then Celaleddin Koçak reacted quickest on a loose ball and to beat Zuberbühler after 64 minutes. Muhammet Akagündüz also saw his shot bounce back of the post after 71 minutes. Malatyaspor kept up their pressure and six minutes from time, Kocak managed to net his second goal as he reacted quicker than the Basel defence to beat Zuberbühler with a well-placed header. The game ended with an aggregate 2–2 draw and thus went into over time. The momentum of the second half seemed to be with the visitors, however, Basel were able to regroup themselves and Marco Streller's silver goal saw them through to the second round.^[7]

Newcastle United (6 November 2003)

In the second round Basel were drawn against Newcastle United. The first leg was held at St. Jakob-Park with a sell-out 30,000 capacity. Basel started quickly with much momentum at the beginning of the first half. They had already come close on a couple of occasions before Mario Cantaluppi slammed home a powerful drive from outside the penalty area in the 11th minute. The visitors reacted very quickly, Laurent Robert was sent clear of the defence two minutes later. The French winger finished with composure and he sent his low shot into the far corner of the goal. Another two minutes later Basel were awarded a corner kick. Defender Andy O'Brien headed the ball clear but the danger was not over. Scott Chipperfield was able to collect the free ball and his shot was slightly deflected as it beat Newcastle keeper Shay Given. Newcastle always seemed to be in danger as Basel pushed forward. Especially Christian Giménez was always dangerous and the tall Marco Streller was always a danger as high balls were sent into the centre. The English side deserve credit for standing out that spell without any further damage. Then the found their second equaliser. In the 37th minute Gary Speed first tried to send his header home after a Laurent Robert corner, but the ball was blocked, Titus Bramble reacted quickly on the loose ball and forced it over the line. Before the break Christian Giménez headed the ball against a post and in the second-half, substitute Julio Hernán Rossi forced Nolberto Solano to clear off the line when a corner came unexpectedly to him and diverted the ball with his face. Towards the end of the match Newcastle were the more dominant side and it was a pass from Solano that set up the winning goal. Shola Ameobi skilfully shook off Marco Zwyssig before driving the ball between the legs of keeper Pascal Zuberbühler. Basel's head coach Christian Gross blamed defensive errors for the 2–3 home defeat.^[8]

Return match (27 November 2003)

The second leg was played at St James' Park in front of 40,325 spectators and was arbitrated by Danish referee Knud Erik Fisker. He was the first-person taking action that evening by showing Newcastle’s captain Alan Shearer a yellow card after just 15 seconds. In that action Basel defender Marco Zwyssig was injured and he left the game in the fourth minute, being substituted by Boris Smiljanić. Smiljanić himself was involved in the next action. A Laurent Robert corner was completely misjudged by Basel goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler and the ball bounced off the unlucky substitute’s shin. Chipperfield cleared the ball, but it had already crossed the line and referee Fisker signalled the goal without hesitation. The rest of the game remained unspectacular, Newcatle controlled the game, but Basel remained dangerous on the counter. However, no further goals followed

Basel were eliminated by Newcastle United in the second round 2–4 on aggregate.^[9]

Conclusion

The club had hoped that they could have continued a round or perhaps two further, but despite being knocked out at this stage, they considered that that had achieved their European aim for this season.

Club[]

Other information[]

Chairman	Mr
Ground (capacity and dimensions)	St. Jakob-Park (33,433 / 120x80 m)

Source: Homepage FCB

Players[]

First team squad[]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   SUI Pascal Zuberbühler 4 DF   SUI Alexandre Quennoz 5 DF   SUI Marco Zwyssig 6 MF   SUI Benjamin Huggel 7 FW   SUI Esposito 8 MF  AUS Mile Sterjovski 9 FW   SUI Marco Streller 11 FW  CMR Hervé Tum 12 MF   SUI Sébastien Barberis 13 FW  ARG Christian Eduardo Giménez 14 MF  ALG Djamel Mesbah 15 DF   SUI Murat Yakin 16 DF   SUI Grégory Duruz 17 MF   SUI Mario Cantaluppi

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 GK   SUI Eric Rapo 19 DF  BRA Kléber 20 MF  ARG Matías Emilio Delgado 21 MF   SUI David Degen 22 MF  SCG Ivan Ergić 23 DF   SUI Philipp Degen 24 DF  CMR Timothée Atouba 26 MF  AUS Scott Chipperfield 29 MF  BIH Damir Džombić 30 DF   SUI Boris Smiljanić 33 FW  ARG Julio Hernán Rossi 35 GK  AUT Thomas Mandl — MF   SUI Hakan Yakin — DF  BRA José Maria Claudino ("Zé Maria")

Transfers Summer 2003[]

In[]

21	MF	SUI	David Degen (from FC Aarau – on loan) [10]
—	DF	BRA	José Maria Claudino ("Zé Maria") (from Prudentópolis Esporte Clube – on loan)
20	MF	ARG	Matías Emilio Delgado (from Chacarita Juniors - n/a) [1]
—	MF	SUI	Hakan Yakin (return transfer from Paris Saint-Germain)[11]

Out[]

—	DF	SUI	Philippe Cravero (to Servette – free transfer)
—	DF	SUI	Bernt Haas (to West Bromwich Albion – end of loan)[3]
—	FW	ESP	Carlos Varela (to FC Aarau – on loan)[10]
—	MF	SUI	Hakan Yakin (to Paris Saint-Germain - transfer)[2]
—	MF	AUS	Ljubo Miličević (to Zürich - end of loan)

Transfers Winter 2003-04[]

In[]

—

FW

ARG

Francisco Gabriel Guerrero (from FC Zürich – on loan) [12]

Out[]

—

MF

SUI

Antonio Esposito (to Varese – free transfer)[13]

Results and fixtures[]

Friendlies[]

Pre- and mid-season friendlies[]

Uhrencup[]

The Uhrencup is a club football tournament, held annually in Grenchen.

Alpen Cup[]

Winter break and mid-season friendlies[]

2003–04 Swiss Super League[]

First half of season[]

The Swiss Super League season was contested by ten teams.

Second half of season[]

Final league table[]

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Basel (C)	36	26	7	3	86	32	+54	85	Qualification to Champions League third qualifying round
2	Young Boys	36	22	6	8	75	48	+27	72	Qualification to Champions League second qualifying round
3	Servette	36	15	7	14	61	62	−1	52	Qualification to UEFA Cup second qualifying round
4	Zürich	36	14	8	14	58	52	+6	50
5	St. Gallen	36	14	8	14	54	57	−3	50
6	Thun	36	13	10	13	51	57	−6	49	Qualification to Intertoto Cup first round
7	Grasshopper	36	12	5	19	62	74	−12	41
8	Aarau	36	9	11	16	57	69	−12	38
9	Neuchâtel Xamax	36	10	6	20	46	63	−17	36	Qualification to relegation play-off
10	Wil (R)	36	7	8	21	37	73	−36	29	Relegation to Swiss Challenge League

Swiss Cup[]

UEFA Cup[]

First round[]

Aggregate: 3-2 / Basel win on silver goal

Second round[]

Aggregate: Newcastle win 4-2 on aggregate

References[]

Sources[]

• Rotblau: Jahrbuch Saison 2015/2016. Publisher: FC Basel Marketing AG. ISBN 978-3-7245-2050-4
• Rotblau: Jahrbuch Saison 2017/2018. Publisher: FC Basel Marketing AG. ISBN 978-3-7245-2189-1
• Die ersten 125 Jahre / 2018. Publisher: Josef Zindel im Friedrich Reinhardt Verlag, Basel. ISBN 978-3-7245-2305-5
• Season 2003–04 at "Basler Fussballarchiv” homepage
• Switzerland 2003–04 at RSSSF

External links[]

• FC Basel official site