Basel back on song
Monday, December 27, 2004
Article summary
Monthly review: FC Basel 1893 returned to form to increase their lead in the Swiss Football League.
Article body
Black November
November had seen Basel suffer three consecutive defeats, exit the Swiss Cup and struggle in the UEFA Cup. However, their fortunes have since improved both at home and abroad - they reached the UEFA Cup Round of 32 after successive wins against Ferencvárosi TC and Feyenoord.
Winter warmers
In the Swiss league, they claimed a 3-2 victory at arch-rivals Grasshopper-Club before signing off for the winter break with a 3-3 home draw against second-placed FC Thun, who came from two goals down to steal a point.
On the rise
Thun have been the surprise package of the first half of the campaign, climbing the table to join a labouring Neuchâtel Xamax FC in the runners-up position, and also beating Basel in the Swiss Cup.
Latour leaves
However, their chances of a sustained title challenge in the new year were hit by coach Hanspeter Latour's decision, on the eve of Christmas, to accept an offer to join Grasshoppers, who are struggling in seventh spot. After three and a half years at Thun, Latour has signed an 18-month deal with the Zurich club.
