Basel go unchallenged
Monday, December 1, 2003
Article summary
Switzerland review: At the winter break, FC Basel 1893 are already considered as champions elect.
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Complete supremacy
Christian Gross's side recovered from their UEFA Cup defeat by Newcastle United FC to win 2-1 at FC St. Gallen at the weekend and already look certainties to lift their tenth domestic title. Their supremacy so far this season has been almost complete, with 17 wins in 18 games, their only dropped points coming in a draw against FC Aarau.
Chapuisat on song
Rather surprisingly, Basel's nearest rivals are BSC Young Boys for whom veteran forward Stéphane Chapuisat has been in superb form, hitting 12 goals in 17 appearances. Young Boys are seven points clear of third-placed Servette FC in the race for the runners-up spot - and the accompanying place in next season's UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. It seems unlikely that another side will challenge for second place, with another nine points separating Servette from Aarau in fourth.
Gloom over Zurich
The biggest disappointment of the campaign has been the form of the Zurich clubs. Reigning champions Grasshopper-Club not only suffered early Champions League and UEFA Cup exits but also struggled domestically throughout the autumn, costing coach Marcel Koller his job. Now a massive 32 points behind Basel, their only hope of rescuing their season seems to be in the Swiss Cup, where they knocked out Gross's side in the last 16.
Favre doubts
FC Zürich, who were considered to have bought well over the summer, have failed to deliver spectacularly with just four wins all term and currently prop up the table. After Sunday's 2-0 loss against FC Thun, president Sven Hotz's patience with coach Lucien Favre is said to be nearly exhausted.
Other interest
With the domestic scene so polarised this season, and all Switzerland's representatives in Europe eliminated, the majority of attention after the winter break should be focused on the national team's preparations for UEFA EURO 2004™. Meanwhile, the Under-21 side have the UEFA European Under-21 Championship to look forward to, and the Under-19 and Under-17 teams will be in European Championship second qualifying round action.
