Basel break last-day title hoodoo

After losing the Swiss championship twice on the last day of the season in the past two years, FC Basel 1893 secured the 2007/08 Super League by winning their home match against second-placed BSC Young Boys 2-0 on Saturday.

Stocker strike
A Young Boys win would have won the title for the Berne outfit and they could have taken the lead five minutes into the game when Marco Schneuwly shot wide from close range. However, Basel took control of the game, and the destiny of the title, just eight minutes later when Valentin Stocker latched on to a throw-in, turned towards goal and opened the scoring.

Attacking intent
The 19-year-old was then involved again midway through the first half when his perfect pass released Switzerland forward Marco Streller who slotted home to double the lead. YB, who now needed three goals to win the title, threw men forward after the break creating plenty of room for the home side on the counterattack. However, although the crowd of 38,000 at St. Jakob-Park saw plenty of chances for both sides, there was no more scoring allowing Basel to enjoy the game’s last few moments before being crowned champions.