Basel retain Swiss Cup
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Article summary
FC Basel won the Swiss Cup for the seventh time with a 6-0 victory against Neuchâtel Xamax FC.
Article body
FC Basel won the Swiss Cup for the seventh time with a comprehensive 6-0 victory against Neuchâtel Xamax FC at St.Jakob-Park.
Three-goal half-time lead
Confident of victory on their home ground against a side defeated in their previous three final appearances, holders Basel went ahead on 13 minutes through Benjamin Huggel. Christian Giménez extended their lead with goals in the 35th and 43rd minute to leave Basel in a strong position at the break.
Biggest win for 66 years
Murat Yakin, whose extra-time penalty clinched last year's final, scored the fourth on 65 minutes and late goals from Boris Smiljanic and Sébastien Barberis secured Basel the biggest Swiss Cup final win since Grasshopper Club's 10-0 victory against Lausanne-Sports in 1937.
Double bid
Grasshoppers now stand in the way of Basel's bid for a second consecutive domestic double - as the champions currently trail the Zurich side by three points in Nationalliga A.
