Off-season and pre-season

Christian Gross was the first team trainer for the third successive season. The club's main aim for the 2001–02 season was to win the Swiss Nationalliga A championship title. The second aim was to win the cup title. Their third aim was to stay in the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup as long as possible, if possible, win the final and thus to secure that the team advanced at least to the UEFA Cup.

New with profession contracts for the new season, Philipp Degen and Marco Streller were and brought up from the reserve team. Further, Pascal Zuberbühler returned from a one-year loan with Bayer Leverkusen.^[1] Basel's biggest signing for the new season were Scott Chipperfield, who came from Wollongong Wolves,^[2] and Christian Giménez, who was signed from Lugano.^[3] Further Marco Zwyssig transferred in from Tirol Innsbruck.

In the other direction, Iván Knez transferred out to Rapid Wien and Feliciano Magro returned to Udinese after his loan period ended. Further, André Muff was loaned out to Lugano and Jean-Michel Tchouga was loaned out to Lausanne-Sport. Marco Streller was loaned out to Concordia Basel.

On the 16 June FCB announced that Marcel Herzog had transferred to them from to Concordia Basel. On the 5 September the club announced that Miroslav König was loaned out to Concordia as countertrade. Then on 15 October this was reversed König returned to FCB and Herzog loaned back to Concordia.

Winter break

Soon after the winter break, in the second half of the season, Oliver Kreuzer retired from his active football career. Between the years 1997 and 2002 Kreuter played a total of 212 games for Basel scoring a total of 32 goals. 136 of these games were in the Nationalliga A, 9 in the Swiss Cup, 17 were in UEFA competitions (UEFA Cup and UIC) and 50 were friendly games. He scored 21 goals in the domestic league, 1 in the Cup, 3 in the European competitions and the other seven were scored during the test games.^[4]

Off-season

At the end of the season Massimo Ceccaroni retired from his professional career. Ceccaroni is still considered to be a cult figure in Basel. This not only because of his loyalty, having spent 25 years with the club, 10 years as youth player and 15 with their first team. But also, because he never scored a goal in the top flight of Swiss football. However, because he did not have many team appearances during the season, five in the league and six in the UIC, the club did not renew his contract and Ceccaroni's professional career came to an end. Between the years 1987 and 2002 Ceccaroni played a total of 605 games for Basel's first team scoring a total of six goals. 398 of these games were in the Nationalliga A and Nationalliga B, 34 in the Swiss Cup, 20 in the European competitions (UEFA cup and UIC) and 153 were friendly games. He scored four of his goals in the Nationalliga B and the other two were scored during the test games.^[5]

Friendly games

Basel started the season off with three warm-up matches. These were played against BSC Young Boys from the Nationalliga A , FC Thun and Yverdon-Sports from the Nationalliga B.

Domestic league

The qualification round to the 2001–02 Nationalliga A was contested by twelve teams. The first eight teams of the regular season, or qualification round, then competed in the championship round. Three points were given for a victory and one for a draw. Each team took half of the points, rounded up to complete units, that were won in the qualification round into the second stage as bonus. The teams in the ninth to twelfth positions completed with the top four teams of the Nationalliga B in a Nationalliga A/B playoff round.

The regular season started on 15 July and ended on 10 December. The championship play-offs began on 25 February 2001 and ended on 26 May. FCB’s aim for the teams was to end the qualification round in the tables top two or three and then in the championship round to win the title, or at least to reach third position which would qualify them for the 2001–02 UEFA Cup.

qualifying round

The season started in the worst possible way. In their first game away against FC Sion, Basel suffered a humiliating defeat. The home team were two goals up within half an hour and then on 38 minutes Hakan Yakin saw the red card for insulting the referee. In the second half Basel went completely under. First Julien Poueys scored a hattrick within 7 minutes (55, 59, 62) and then Samuel Ojong also scored a hattrick within 7 minutes (79, 81, 86). Basel were beaten 8–1. In the next game on 11 July 2001, a 3–1 home win in St. Jakob-Park against Servette, Marco Streller played his League debut being substituted in during the 66th Minute. Unfortunately for him, in the last minute of the game he headed in an own goal as he tried to clear a corner kick.^[6] It was to remain Streller's only game for Basel in this season, because he was loaned to feeder club FC Concordia Basel for the rest of the season. Christian Giménez was to play his debut on 18 July in the 3–3 draw with St. Gallen and his first goal for the club was to follow during the 3–1 home win against the Young Boys on the 11 August. Giménez was to end the qualifying round as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals in 20 appearances.

After five games Basel were straggling, they had achieved just one win and one draw, opposed to three defeats, with 7 to 15 goal tally. But hereafter, things turned for the better and they only suffered two further defeats up until the winter break. Despite the fact that these were against the reigning title holders Grasshopper Club, Basel ended the qualification as league leaders, five points ahead of Lugano and six ahead of the reigning champions.

Championship round

Basel started well into the second part of the season, winning their first four games, 5–2 away against second placed Lugano and 1–0, 2–0 and 4–0 at home against Zürich, Young Boys and Sion. In the fifth game they suffered another defeat against GC, but six straight wins followed, including their revenge 3–0 away victory against Sion and a revenge 4–1 victory against GC. During this period of the season FCB played their best football and pulled away at the top of the table and subsequently achieved the championship title prematurely.^[7] Despite the fact that they lost two of their last three games, they won their first title after 22 years of waiting. It was the ninth championship title in the club’s history.^[8]

Christian Giménez was the team’s top scorer with 26 goals over the entire season. Hakan Yakin had scored 13, George Koumantarakis scored 10 and Scott Chipperfield scored 6 goals.

Conclusion

Basel won the championship with 55 points, GC were vice-champions with 45 points and Lugano finished in third position. The club's aim in the championship title had been fully, and perhaps surprisingly, achieved. Both Lugano and Sion had reached the championship round, but both clubs did not obtain a 1st level license for the 2002/03 season and therefore both teams were relegated to the second tier.

Curiosity to the begin of Scott Chipperfield's career by FC Basel; Chipperfield signed his contract with the club and returned to Australia to pack his suitcases. As he boarded the plane to fly to his new employers, he knew that they would be playing their first game of the season during his time on the flight. When the plane landed in Switzerland the game was over and Basel had lost 1–8. The story goes that Chipperfield asked the driver who collected him, "who the heck have I signed for? The only reason I didn't fly straight back home, was because I knew you were waiting for me." At the end of the season Basel were number one and Sion were relegated. And the driver said to Chipperfield, "I'm sure glad that you knew that it was me, who was waiting to collect you at the airport."

Domestic Cup

Basel's clear aim for the Swiss Cup was to win the title, especially because the final was to be played in St. Jakob-Park. They had last won the trophy in 1975. Basel entered the competition in the round of 32 and were drawn away against local rivals Concordia Basel, who at that time played in the Nationalliga B.

Concordia Basel (10 November 2001)

The game was played in the St. Jakob-Park with an attendance of 5,431 spectators. Concordia, the home team, started well into the game and had their first chance at goal on 5 minutes and their second chance another 5 minutes later. FCB started prudent and did not want to enter into risky situations. After they had won control of play, they started to dominate and had a couple of near misses. Then on 21 minutes Sébastien Barberis put the away team a goal up following a corner-kick. Concordia reacted immediately, with fighting spirit and came forward with tempo. Their first attack could only be stopped by a well-timed foul from FCB defender Alexandre Quennoz, who saw the yellow card. If he had waited a few seconds longer it might have been a penalty. FCB were always in danger of catching the equaliser, but despite doubling the lead on 41 minutes through a goal from George Koumantarakis, Concordia were dominating play. After the interval Concordia were still fighting, believing in their chance. On 59 minutes Christian Giménez added Basel’s third after a counter attack. From this moment on the game changed. Concordia had less and less stamina and their strengths were lost. Basel took control and dominated completely and on 75 minutes Hervé Tum added a fourth and on 90 minutes the last. FCB won 5–0 and advanced to the next round.^[9]

Colombier ( 17 February 2002)

In the round of 16 Basel were drawn with an away game against lower league team Colombier, who had that time played in 1. Liga Promotion, the third tier in the Swiss football pyramid. Colombier were playing good football and were top of their division at that time. At the end of the season, they were group champions, but missed promotion in the play-offs. The match was played in the New Year before the leagues had restarted after the winter break. This proved to be an advantage for Basel after their seven winter break friendlies. The team were well played in and won the game that they entirely dominated 1–0 through a goal from Giménez in the 56th minute.^[10]

Zürich (21 March 2002)

In the quarter-finals Basel were drawn away against Zürich. The match was played in the Letzigrund with an attendance of 6,800 spectators and came midst in the period as Basel were dominating in the league. Both teams started into the match with care, but FCB found quicker into their stride and soon had more possession. Therefore, it was no surprise that they took the lead through a goal from George Koumantarakis on 17 minutes. The home team reacted well, they sought after the equaliser and didn’t have to wait long, because Kanga Akalé netted on 24 minutes. The game was now level on possession until one minute before the break, as Ivan Ergic put the visitors back into the lead. After the interval play was again level, but the visitors did have an optical advantage. This became obvious as Akalé saw the yellow card for his second bookable foul and was dismissed. From this moment the game changed, the Zürich layers strength and stamina failed and Basel took control and dominated. On 85 minutes substitute Carlos Varela advanced down the right and put his team another goal up. Just two minutes later Basel’s other substitute Hervé Tum had a shot that hit the post and Scott Chipperfield converted the rebound to give Basel a comfortable 4–1 win.^[11]

Young Boys (11 April 2002)

In the semi-final Basel were drawn at home in the St. Jakob-Park against an out of form Young Boys, who had only picked up only one point in their last three league matches. Basel started better into the match, with good moves they created a number of chances. Alain Rochat stopped one of these with a foul inside the penalty area and was shown the yellow card by referee Massimo Busacca, but the spot kick from Murat Yakin rebounded from the post on 17 minutes. Basel came forwards, again created chances and Christian Giménez converted one of these after 23 minutes to put the hosts one up. At the other end Gürkan Sermeter missed the equaliser as Basel keeper Pascal Zuberbühler saved his penalty kick. Basel remained in control of the game up until the interval. Although Carlos Varela had a shot on 49 minutes that hit the cross bar, the visitors started the second period with more determination and were rewarded on 51 minutes as Joel Descloux equalised for his team. The game became more aggressive and was an open slugfest. Amidst a number of bookings for over hard fouls, on 69 minutes Basel defender Philippe Cravero was shown the red card for a foul as last man and at the other end on 73 minutes YB keeper Paolo Collaviti was also dismissed for committing a foul as last man. The score remained 1–1 even after extra time, so a penalty shoot-out was required for the decision. In this Basel keeper Zuberbühler became major protagonist. Zuberbühler missed his own spot-kick as YB reserve keeper Adrian Lingenhag saved, but in return he himself saved three YB penalty attempts. Basel advanced to the final ^[12]

Grasshoppers (12 May 2002)

The final was played in the St. Jakob-Park with an attendance of 30,000 spectators and according to the draw the Grasshoppers were the home team. Basel started well into the game. GC were stopped in their forwards movement and Basel played a long ball in the opponent’s half towards Hervé Tum, who ran on and beat the advancing keeper Fabrice Borer from 12 metres. The match was played on level terms with chances on both sides. On 38 minutes Richard Núñez advanced on the right, turning on himself he played a long cross towards the far post, here Mladen Petrić ran clear and nodded in the equaliser. Two minutes before the break a goal from Basel’s captain Murat Yakin was disallowed because he had used his hand to control the ball. In the second period play remained level, again both teams created chances. However, neither keeper let a ball pass and so it came to extra time. In the 113th minute Scott Chipperfield played a high ball from the left, over GC goalie Borer, which Boris Smiljanic punched over the cross bar with his last effort, this because he assumed that Hervé Tum, who was positioned behind him, would nod the ball effortlessly into the goal. This opened the big stage for the Basel captain, Murat Yakin took a run-up and safely converted the penalty kick to win the final 2–1 and thus the Trophy.^[13]

Conclusion

From a FCB point of view, the club's cup aim to reach the final and win the trophy was achieved. Because the league championship title had mathematically and prematurely been decided, with this trophy Basel had achieved the domestic double.^[8]

UEFA Intertoto Cup

Basel were qualified for the UIC in the [[2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup #Second round|]], which started for Basel on the 30 June 2002. The UIC was divided into three groups with three finals, the winners of these finals advanced to the 2001–02 UEFA Cup. Basel’s clear aim for the competition was to reach the final and win it, to qualify to the UEFA Cup first round.

Second round, Grindavík

Basel were drawn against Iceland's Grindavík. They had qualified by beating Vilash Masallı 3–1 on aggregate in the first round. The first leg took place in the St. Jakob-Park in front of 6,843 fans. Basel won 3–0 and the goal scorers were Feliciano Magro in the 4th minute, Jean-Michel Tchouga in the 18th minute and Hervé Tum in the 60th.^[14]

The second leg was in Iceland, played in the Grindavíkurvöllur with an attendance of 700 spectators. Two goals from André Muff the first on 14 minutes and the second on 80 minutes gave Basel a 2–0 victory, thus 5–0 on aggregate.^[15]

Third round, Heerenveen

The next round saw Basel matched against SC Heerenveen, a Dutch club from the Eredivisie. Again, the first leg was played in the St. Jakob-Park, the attendance was 8,059 fans. Basel controlled the game from the beginning and took an early two goal lead through George Koumantarakis on 12 minutes and Hakan Yakin on 20 minutes. In the second period the visitors got into the game and on 56 minutes Mika Nurmela pulled a goal back. Basel overstood a hectic period and played down the time to win 2–1.^[16]

The second leg in Abe Lenstra Stadion had an attendance of 13,300 fans. Marcus Allbäck on 4 minutes gave SC Heerenveen an early lead. George Koumantarakis on 8 minutes and Hakan Yakin on 23 minutes turned the tables. In the second period Hervé Tum in the 69th minute put the visitors another goal up. The home team reduced the score line as Anthony Lurling netted in the 75th minute, but the home team could not catch up. The score remained 3–2 for Basel and they advanced with a 5–3 aggregate.^[17]

Semi-finals, Lausanne

The semi-final was an all-Swiss affair with their Nationalliga A rivals Lausanne-Sport. These had qualified to this stage beating UE Sant Julià from Andora twice with 9–1 aggregate in the first round and Sturm Graz, with an away win and a home draw, 4–3 on aggregate in the second round. The first leg in the St. Jakob-Park attracted an attendance of 14,872 spectators. Christian Giménez with a quick brace in the 19th and 21st minute put Basel two up. Just before the half time whistle Hakan Yakin added a third goal and in the second period they let the time tick-out to win comfortably 3–0.^[18]

The second leg in the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise only attracted 2,050 fans but they saw an interesting match in which Lausanne’s Pape Thiaw was the main character. First, he put the home team a goal up after 8 minutes. However, this was equalised ten minutes later by Hervé Tum. In the 30th minute Pape Thiaw committed a nasty foul and was booked for the offence by Ukrainian referee Vasyl Melnychuk. Then, following a set piece, just before the break Pape Thiaw put his team back into the lead. On 51 minutes he showed his nasty side again and for his second bookable offence he was dismissed. With one man more on the field FCB dominated play, but apart from the equaliser on 61 minutes through Carlos Varela they could not take advantage of this fact. The game was drawn 2–2, but Basel won the tie 5–2 on aggregate.^[19]

Finals, Aston Villa

In the final Basel played against Aston Villa from the Premier League. Villa had finished in 8th position in the 2000–01 FA Premier League. They had qualified to the Final by beating NK Slaven Belupo 3–2 on aggregate in the third round and winning on away goals against Rennes in the semi-finals. Basel fancied their chances because their domestic had already played six rounds and the Premier League season had not started yet. The first leg of this final was played on 7 August 2001 in the St. Jakob-Park with an attendance of 25,879 fans.

Villa's reserve keeper Peter Enckelman played the match because Peter Schmeichel was injured and Enckelman was needed early as Basel made a bright start. Murat Yakin, who constantly troubled Villa full-back Mark Delaney, set up his younger brother Hakan with a very good chip over the defence. The striker advanced quickly to the area and left footed, shot powerfully, but the keeper dropped down well to save. About ten minutes later, Argentinian striker Gimenez beat Enckelman with a low, curling shot that glanced passed the right-hand post. Villa then found their way into the game and should have taken the lead on 25 minutes, but Mustapha Hadji missed the very good opportunity. There were few chances during the rest of the half, although Basle finished strongly, with the impressive Murat Yakin twice going close. The beginning of the second period was as evenly contested as the first, but on 59 minutes Villa’s captain Paul Merson scored their vital away goal, side-footing in from close range, after keeper Pascal Zuberbühler could only parry a hard shotHassan Kachloul. The hosts could have equalised with their next chance Jean-Michel Tchouga was unmarked inside the area, but his wild effort glanced over the crossbar. Basel did then restore parity on 74 minutes as substitute Carlos Varela ran forcefully into the area and following a powerful shot Enckelman could only parry and Gimenez side-footed the rebound home from close range. The game ended with this 1–1 draw.^[20][21]

The return leg was played on 21 August in Villa Park in Birmingham, which had an attendance of 39,513 spectators. Villa started well into the game and tried to create chances. Basel were happy to sit back and wait and stifle the Villa chances before they became dangerous. After quarter of an hour FCB switched up a gear and on the half an hour were rewarded for the attempt. Scott Chipperfield put the visitors a goal up, finishing off a good move from the right. Villa reacted and came forwards with tempo, they attempted to breach the visitors massive defence. This finally was successful in the 45th minute, Darius Vassell was the scorer. In the second half Basel seemed to lose control and Juan Pablo Ángel added Villa's second on 55 minutes. Basel fought back into the game and created dangerous chances, but it was the hosts who got the better as in the 78th minute Ángel added another. From here Basel were chanceless and David Ginola netted the fourth six minutes from the end. Villa won the match deservedly 4–1 and the tie 5–2 on aggregate.^[22]

Conclusion

Aston Villa's attendance of 39,513 versus Basel at Villa Park, represented the highest attendance for any Intertoto fixture that season. Basel achieved their absolute minimum aim for this competition, but their main aim had been missed, there would be no further European football for them this season.^[23]

The Management

More information Position, Staff ...

Position	Staff
Manager	Christian Gross
Assistant manager	Ruedi Zbinden until 2 Jan. 2002[24]
Assistant manager	Fritz Schmid from 2 Jan. 2002[24]
Fitness Coach	Harry Körner
Goalkeeper Coach	Thomas Grüter
Team Administrator	Gustav Nussbaumer
Youth Team Coach U-21
Youth Team co-Coach	Pascal Burger

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Other information

Chairman	Mr René C. Jäggi
Ground (capacity and dimensions)	St. Jakob-Park (33,333 / 120x80 m)

Source: Homepage FCB

First team squad

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

More information No., Pos. ...

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  SUI Pascal Zuberbühler 2 DF  SUI Massimo Ceccaroni 3 DF  SUI Philippe Cravero 4 DF  SUI Alexandre Quennoz 5 DF  GER Oliver Kreuzer 6 MF  SUI Benjamin Huggel 7 FW  CMR Jean-Michel Tchouga 8 FW  ESP Carlos Varela 9 MF  RSA George Koumantarakis 10 MF  SUI Hakan Yakin 11 FW  CMR Hervé Tum 12 MF  SUI Sébastien Barberis 13 FW  ARG Christian Eduardo Giménez 14 FW  SUI Nenad Savic

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF  SUI Murat Yakin 16 MF  TOG Yao Aziawonou 17 MF  SUI Mario Cantaluppi 18 GK  SUI Romain Crevoisier 19 FW  SUI André Muff 20 DF  SUI Iván Knez 21 MF  ITA Feliciano Magro 22 MF  SCG Ivan Ergić 24 DF  CMR Timothée Atouba 25 GK  SUI Marcel Herzog 26 MF  AUS Scott Chipperfield 28 DF  SUI Marco Zwyssig — FW  SUI Marco Streller — DF  SUI Philipp Degen

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Out on loan

19	FW	SUI	André Muff (to Lugano from 14 July 2001)[25]
—	FW	SUI	Marco Streller (to Concordia from August 2001)
—	GK	SVK	Miroslav König (to Concordia from 5 September 2001[26] until 15 October 2001)[27]
25	GK	SUI	Marcel Herzog (to Concordia from 15 October 2001)[27]
16	MF	TOG	Yao Aziawonou (to FC Thun (loan) from 21 January 2002)[28] until 12 March 2002[29]

Transfers Summer 2001

In

1	GK	SUI	Pascal Zuberbühler (from Bayer Leverkusen return after loan)[30]
25	GK	SUI	Marcel Herzog (from Concordia Basel)[31]
26	MF	AUS	Scott Chipperfield (from Wollongong Wolves)[2]
13	FW	ARG	Christian Eduardo Giménez (from Concordia Basel)[3]

Out

21

MF

ITA

Feliciano Magro (to Udinese end of loan)[32]

Transfers Winter 2001-02

In

24	DF	CMR	Timothée Atouba (from Neuchâtel Xamax)[28]
28	DF	SUI	Marco Zwyssig (from FC Tirol Innsbruck)[28]

Out

20

DF

SUI

Iván Knez (contract ended[28] to Rapid Wien)[33]

Friendlies

Pre-season and mid-season friendlies

Thun v Basel

20 June 2001 Pre-season	Thun	1 – 2	Basel	Stadion Lachen, Thun
19:30	Rama 71' (1:1)	Summary	20' (0:1) Tum 84' (1:2) Tchouga	Attendance: 600 Referee:
Note: Fair game, no yellow cards

Young Boys v Basel

23 June 2001 Pre-season	Young Boys	2 – 1	Basel	Sportplatz, Pieterlen
16:00	Berisha 47' (1:1) Türker 58' (2:1)	Summary	35' (0:1) Tchouga	Attendance: 1,200 Referee: Guido Wildhaber
Note: Fair game, no yellow cards

Yverdon-Sport v Basel

26 June 2001 Pre-season	Yverdon-Sport	0 – 1	Basel	Sportplatz Nau, Laufen
18:00		Summary	38' (0:1) Tchouga	Attendance: 650 Referee: Andreas Schluchter

Basel v 1. FC Kaiserslautern

5 October 2001 Mid-season	Basel	1 – 0	1. FC Kaiserslautern	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Tchouga 44' (1:0)	Summary	16' Dominguez	Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Guido Wildhaber
Note: Basel with test player Sandro Burki from FC Zürich.

SC Dornach v Basel

23 October 2001 Mid-season	SC Dornach	1 – 7	Basel	Gigersloch, Dornach
18:15	Weidmann 88' (1:7)	Summary	2' (0:1) Koumantarakis 8' (o.g. 0:2) Dreier 32' (0:3) Varela 46' (0:4) Koumantarakis 52' (0:5) Koumantarakis 61' (0:6) Burki 86' (0:7) Tchouga	Attendance: 150 Referee: Jürg Burkhart
Note: Basel with 3 test players from U-21 team: Sehid Sinani, Patrick Wagner and Michel Banholzer. Basel with test player Sandro Burki from FC Zürich. Fair game, no yellow cards.

BSC Old Boys v Basel

13 November 2001 Mid-season	BSC Old Boys	1 – 5	Basel	Stadion Schützenmatte, Basel
19:30	Thomas Koster 46' Diabira  83'	Summary	10' (0:1) Tchouga 13' (0:2) Wagner 26' (0:3) Yao 30' (0:4) Tum 44' (0:5) Banholzer	Attendance: 70 Referee: Michael Huber
Note: Basel with 6 test players from U-21 team: Orazio Ferranti, Ali Oezcakmak, Danny Califf, Pietro Saccone, Patrick Wagner and Michel Banholzer and with Sandro Burki from FC Zürich

Winter break and mid-season friendlies

1. FC Kaiserslautern v Basel

19 January 2002 Winter break	1. FC Kaiserslautern	1 – 2	Basel	Betzenberg, Kaiserslautern
15:00	Knavs 49' (1:1)	Summary	39' (0:1) Ergić 61' (1:2) Koumantarakis  85' Knez	Attendance: 2,376 Referee: Volker Raquet

Basel v Neuchâtel Xamax

24 January 2002 Winter break	Basel	2 – 0	Neuchâtel Xamax	Europa-Stadion, Rheinfelden
18:00	Koumantarakis 37' (1:0) Cravero 53' (2:0)	Summary		Attendance: 500 Referee: Volker Scherrer
Note: Fair game, no yellow cards

Las Palmas v Basel

29 January 2002 Winter break	Las Palmas	6 – 2	Basel	Estadio Municipal, Maspalomas
11:00	Santacasino 64' (1:4) Juan Negro 79[2:4]'	Summary	3' (0:1) Giménez 15' (0:2) Giménez 52' (0:3) Ergić 58' (0:4) Giménez 82' (2:5) Tum 86' (2:6) Tum	Attendance: 30 Referee: Diaz

Las Palmas v Basel

31 January 2002 Winter break	Las Palmas	1 – 3	Basel	Estadio Municipal, Maspalomas
11:30	Carmelo 33' (1:1)	Summary	20' (0:1) Chipperfield 41' (1:2) Tum 76' (1:3) Koumantarakis}	Attendance: 500 Referee: Santana
Note: Fair game, no yellow cards

AC Bellinzona v Basel

4 February 2002 Winter break	AC Bellinzona	2 – 5	Basel	Stadio Comunale Bellinzona
17:30	Miccolis 38' (1:1) Cavin 85' (2:4)	Summary	15' (0:1) Giménez 38' (1:2) Giménez 48' (1:3) Giménez 71' (1:4) H. Yakin 86' (2:5) H. Yakin	Attendance: 400 Referee: Carlo Bertolini
Note: Fair game, no yellow cards

Lausanne-Sport v Basel

9 February 2002 Winter break	Lausanne-Sport	0 – 0	Basel	Stadio Comunale Bellinzona
14:30		Summary		Referee: Carlo Bertolini
Note: Fair game, no yellow cards. Basel with three test players from U-17 team: Nicolas Maissen, Sehar Fejzulahi und Goran Antic

Basel v Thun

12 February 2002 Winter break	Basel	3 – 2	Thun	Stadion Rankhof, Basel
14:30	Koumantarakis 48' (1:0) Ergić 61' (2:1) Varela 81' (3:2)	Summary	54' (1:1) Matić 76' (2:2) Raimondi  86' Moser	Attendance: 400 Referee: Claudio Circhetta

Basel v Aarau

19 February 2002 Winter break	Basel	3 – 0	Aarau	Rankhof Stadium, Basel
14:30	Tum 51' (2:0) H. Yakin 12' (2:0) Tum 51' (3:0)	Summary		Attendance: 300 Referee: Claudio Circhetta

Nationalliga A 2001–02

Qualification round

The Qualification Round to the League season 2002–03 was contested by twelve teams. The first eight teams of the regular season (or Qualification) were then to compete in the Championship Playoff Round. The teams in ninth to twelfth position completed with the top four teams of the Nationalliga B in a Nationalliga A/B Playoff round.

Sion v Basel

4 July 2001 Round 1	Sion	8 – 1	Basel	Tourbillon, Sion
19:30	Moreira 6' (1:0) Duruz 29' (2:0) Marazzi  52' Poueys 55' (3:1) Poueys 59' (4:1) Poueys 62' (5:1) Ojong 79' (6:1) Ojong 81' (7:1) Ojong 86' (8:1)	FCB summary	12' Cravero  34'  38' H. Yakin 48' (2:1) Koumantarakis	Attendance: 6,250 Referee: Carlo Bertolini

Basel v Servette

11 July 2001 Round 2	Basel	3 – 1	Servette	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Tum 6' (1:0) Ergić 10' (2:0) Huggel 19' (3:0)	FCB summary	53' Thurre 90' (o.g. 3:1) Streller	Attendance: 17,844 Referee: Roland Beck

St. Gallen v Basel

18 July 2001 Round 3	St. Gallen	3 – 3	Basel	Espenmoos, St. Gallen
19:30	Jefferson 10' (1:1) Gane  23' Jairo  52' Jairo 60' (2:3) Dal Santo 66' (3:3) Jefferson  86'	FCB summary	5' (0:1) Ergić 15' (1:2) M. Yakin  22' Ceccaroni  35' Chipperfield  42' Giménez 57' (1:3) Kreuzer	Attendance: 11,300 (sold out) Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Basel v Lausanne Sports

21 July 2001 Round 4	Basel	P – P	Lausanne Sports	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
		[ (Report)] (in German)

Zürich v Basel

28 July 2001 Round 5	Zürich	2 – 0	Basel	Letzigrund, Zürich
17:15	Kavelashvili 31' (1:0) Quennoz 83' (o.g. 2:0)	FCB summary	45' Varela  80' M. Yakin	Attendance: 12,500 Referee: Etter

Neuchâtel Xamax v Basel

4 August 2001 Round 6	Neuchâtel Xamax	1 – 0	Basel	Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel
19:30	Arifović 36' (1:0) Simo  44'	FCB summary	11' Atouba  49' Chipperfield  55'  76' M. Yakin	Attendance: 7,600 Referee: Urs Meier

Basel v Young Boys

11 August 2001 Round 7	Basel	3 – 1	Young Boys	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
17:15	Varela  8' Chipperfield 15' (1:0) Giménez 31' (2:0) Ergić 37' (3:0) Huggel  84'	FCB summary	50' Berisha 72' (3:1) Hänzi	Attendance: 24,831 Referee: Salm

Aarau v Basel

18 August 2001 Round 8	Aarau	1 – 1	Basel	Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau
17:15	Joller  15' Okpala 55' (1:0)	FCB summary	11' Cravero 69' (1:1) Kreuzer  76' Chipperfield	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Massimo Busacca

Basel v Lugano

25 August 2001 Round 9	Basel	5 – 1	Lugano	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Koumantarakis 11' (1:1) Giménez 13' (2:1) Giménez 52' (3:1) M. Yakin  63' H. Yakin 68' (4:1) Giménez 89' (5:1)	FCB summary	4' (0:1) Joël Magnin  11' Ludovic Magnin  74' Bullo	Attendance: 19,110 Referee: Marcus Nobs

Grasshoppers v Basel

8 September 2001 Round 10	Grasshoppers	1 – 0	Basel	Hardturm, Zürich
16:45	Núñez 33' (1:0) Benjani Mwaruwari	FCB summary	23' M. Yakin  45' Giménez  73' Koumantarakis	Attendance: 8,200 Referee: Roland Beck

Basel v Lausanne Sports

12 September 2001 Round 4	Basel	P – P[34]	Lausanne Sports	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
		[ FCB summary]

Basel v Luzern

16 September 2001 Round 11	Basel	4 – 1	Luzern	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:30	Giménez 45' (1:0) Chipperfield 62' (2:0) Giménez 71' (3:0) Koumantarakis 90+1' (4:1)	FCB summary	21' Gian  27' Hodel  50' Wiederkehr 82' (3:1) Varela	Attendance: 20,691 Referee: Urs Meier

Basel v Sion

22 September 2001 Round 12	Basel	2 – 1	Sion	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Giménez 44' (1:0) Duruz  70' M. Yakin  75' Varela  80' Tcheutchoua 89' (o.g. 2:1)	FCB summary	21' Vernaz  56' Poueys  45'  59' Deumi 65' (1:1) Poueys  75' Moreira  86' Hottiger	Attendance: 19,258 Referee: René Rogalla

Basel v Lausanne Sports

26 September 2001 Round 4	Basel	3 – 1	Lausanne Sports	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Giménez 4' (1:0) H. Yakin 29' (2:0) Giménez  58' X. Margairaz 66' (o.g. 3:1)	FCB summary	9' X. Margairaz 42' (2:1) Chaveriat  67' Gobet  74' S. Margairaz  74' Karlen	Attendance: 18,235 Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Servette v Basel

1 October 2001 Round 13	Servette	1 – 4	Basel	Charmilles Stadium, Geneva
19:30	Fournier  17' Oruma  18' Dill 90+3' (1:4)	FCB summary	12' (0:1) Giménez 42' (0:2) Chipperfield 46' (0:3) H. Yakin  70' Cantaluppi 71' (0:4) Giménez	Attendance: 6,878 Referee: Reto Rutz

Basel v St. Gallen

10 October 2001 Round 14	Basel	2 – 2	St. Gallen	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	H. Yakin 4' (1:0) Barberis  50' M. Yakin 96' (2:2)	FCB summary	34' Guido 61' (1:1) Gane  87' Gane 90+2' (1:2) Gane  64'  90+6' Winkler	Attendance: 31,124 Referee: Philippe Leuba

Lausanne Sports v Basel

14 October 2001 Round 15	Lausanne Sports	2 – 4	Basel	Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne
16:15	Zambaz  10' Chavériat 12' (1:1) Simon 21' (2:1)	FCB summary	11' (pen. 0:1) Kreuzer 31' (2:2) Giménez 34' (2:3) H. Yakin  37' Varela 47' (2:4) Giménez	Attendance: 2,450 Referee: Carlo Bertolini

Basel v Zürich

20 October 2001 Round 16	Basel	2 – 1	Zürich	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:45	H. Yakin 51' (1:1) Ergić 59' (2:1) Huggel  88'	FCB summary	37' (0:1) Guerrero  39' Fischer  65' Heldmann  81' Keita	Attendance: 28,481 Referee: Urs Meier

Basel v Neuchâtel Xamax

27 October 2001 Round 17	Basel	5 – 1	Neuchâtel Xamax	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Giménez 10' (1:0) Barberis  15' Giménez 34' (2:0) Huggel  30' Chipperfield 46' (3:0) Giménez 68' (4:0) Giménez 80' (5:1)	FCB summary	73' (4:1) Alex	Attendance: 21,763 Referee: Massimo Busacca

Young Boys v Basel

3 November 2001 Round 18	Young Boys	2 – 2	Basel	Stadion Neufeld, Bern
16:45	Malacarne 9' (1:0) Tikva 20' (2:0) Malacarne  55'	FCB summary	6' Chipperfield 33' (2:1) Giménez  58' H. Yakin 77' (2:2) Varela  86' Varela	Attendance: 10,600 (sold out) Referee: Nicole Petignat

Basel v Aarau

17 November 2001 Round 19	Basel	1 – 0	Aarau	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:45	Cravero  14' Koumantarakis 51' (1:0) Varela  59'	FCB summary	35' de Napoli	Attendance: 22,573 Referee: Reto Rutz

Lugano v Basel

25 November 2001 Round 20	Lugano	1 – 2	Basel	Stadio Cornaredo, Lugano
14:30	Rothenbühler 90+1' (1:2)	FCB summary	13' (0:1) Koumantarakis  20' Aziawonou  43' Cravero  26'  82' Koumantarakis 84' (0:2) H. Yakin	Attendance: 6,600 Referee: Philippe Leuba

Basel v Grasshoppers

2 December 2001 Round 21	Basel	4 – 5	Grasshoppers	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
14:30	H. Yakin 8' (1:0) Giménez 40' (2:3) Varela  65' Giménez 74' (3:5) Varela 80' (4:5)	FCB summary	12' (1:1) Diop  14' Diop 15' (1:2) Cabanas 39' (1:3) Núñez 50' (2:4) Núñez  65' Núñez 65' (2:5) Cabanas	Attendance: 33,433 (sold out) Referee: Roland Beck

Luzern v Basel

9 December 2001 Round 22	Luzern	0 – 1	Basel	Stadion Allmend, Luzern
14:30	Blunschi  47' Pinelli  53' Enrique  64' Meier  84'	FCB summary	32' M. Yakin  57' Varela  64' Koumantarakis 86' (0:1) Tum	Attendance: 7,509 Referee: Nicole Petignat

Championship Playoff Round

The first eight teams of the regular season (or Qualification) competed in the Championship Playoff Round. They took half of the points (rounded up to complete units) gained in the Qualification as Bonus with them.

Lugano v Basel

24 February 2002 Round 1	Lugano	2 – 5	Basel	Stadio Cornaredo, Lugano
14:30	Sutter 4' (1:0) Gaspoz  38'  68' Rota  70' Rossi 70' (2:3)	FCB summary	3' Zwyssig  9' Chipperfield 43' (1:1) M. Yakin 44' (1:2) Koumantarakis 68' (1:3) H. Yakin 71' (2:4) Giménez 73' (2:5) Giménez	Attendance: 6,700 Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Basel v Zürich

2 March 2002 Round 2	Basel	1 – 0	Zürich	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:45	Koumantarakis 61' (1:0) Quennoz  78' H. Yakin  79'	FCB summary	9' Keller  27' Burki  31' Hellinga  55' Guerrero	Attendance: 25,871 Referee: Massimo Busacca

St. Gallen v Basel

6 March 2002 Round 3	St. Gallen	P – P[35]	Basel	Espenmoos, St. Gallen
		[ FCB summery]		Referee: Carlo Bertolini

Basel v Young Boys

9 March 2002 Round 4	Basel	2 – 0	Young Boys	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Giménez 36' (1:0) Cantaluppi 45+1' (2:0) Savić  81' Koumantarakis  81'	FCB summary	84' Vonlanthen	Attendance: 30,521 Referee: Philippe Leuba

Basel v Sion

16 March 2002 Round 5	Basel	4 – 0	Sion	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	H. Yakin 17' (1:0) H. Yakin 35' (2:0) Chipperfield  45' 60' (3:0) Ergić 74' (4:0)	FCB summary	19' Moreira  21'  22' Hottiger  21' Grichting  39' M'Futi  59' Piffaretti	Attendance: 24,407 Referee: Stefan Messner

Grasshoppers v Basel

24 March 2002 Round 6	Grasshoppers	1 – 0	Basel	Hardturm, Zürich
16:15	Eduardo  8' Núñez 69' (1:0) Baturina  75' Jaggy  77' Hodel  86'	FCB summary	55' Koumantarakis  65' Quennoz	Attendance: 15,500 Referee: Massimo Busacca

Servette v Basel

1 April 2002 Round 7	Servette	1 – 2	Basel	Charmilles Stadium, Geneva
14:00	Comisetti  3' Fournier 41' Fournier  14'  43' Lonfat  70'	FCB summary	14' (pen. 0:1) M. Yakin 20' (0:2) Atouba  28'  60' Yao	Attendance: 6,150 Referee: Urs Meier

St. Gallen v Basel

4 April 2002 Round 3	St. Gallen	1 – 3	Basel	Espenmoos, St. Gallen
19:30	Di Jorio  40' Di Jorio 44' (1:0)	FCB summary	54' (1:1) M. Yakin 56' (1:2) M. Yakin  60' Chipperfield 70' (1:3) Zwyssig	Attendance: 11,300 Referee: Carlo Bertolini

Basel v Servette

7 April 2002 Round 8	Basel	3 – 2	Servette	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:15	Barberis  13' Ergić 45' (1:1) Giménez 58' (2:2) Hilton 88' (o.g. 3:2) H. Yakin  90+2'	FCB summary	9' Miéville 39' (0:1) A. Frei 47' (1:2) Hilton  83' Jaquet  90+2' Oruma	Attendance: 26,001 Referee: Reto Rutz

Basel v Grasshoppers

14 April 2002 Round 9	Basel	4 – 1	Grasshoppers	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:00	H. Yakin 2' (1:0) Giménez 47' (2:1) Tum  84' M. Yakin  84' M. Yakin 87' (3:1) Ergić 89' (4:1)	FCB summary	15' (1:1) Hodel  56' Cabanas	Attendance: 33,433 (sold out) Referee: Marcus Nobs

Sion v Basel

20 April 2002 Round 10	Sion	0 – 3	Basel	Tourbillon, Sion
16:45	Duruz  24' Beney  29' Tcheutchoua  34'	FCB summary	3' (0:1) Koumantarakis 17' (0:2) Giménez 41' (0:3) Koumantarakis  69' Quennoz	Attendance: 4,200 Referee: Salm

Young Boys v Basel

24 April 2002 Round 11	Young Boys	0 – 3	Basel	Stadion Neufeld, Bern
19:00	Berisha  54'	FCB summary	11' (o.g. 0:1) Berisha 14' (0:2) Tum 77' (0:3) Koumantarakis	Attendance: 11,600 (sold out) Referee: Carlo Bertolini

Basel v St. Gallen

27 April 2002 Round 12	Basel	1 – 2	St. Gallen	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:45	Chipperfield 12' (1:1) Varela  78' Zanni  80'	FCB summary	2' Jairo 6' (0:1) Alex 71' (1:2) Gane  80' Chaile	Attendance: 33,433 (sold out) Referee: Urs Meier

Zürich v Basel

4 May 2002 Round 13	Zürich	3 – 1	Basel	Letzigrund, Zürich
18:00	Kavelashvili 9' (1:0) Keller  26' Pallas  32' Kavelashvili  54' Akalé 82' (2:1) Magro  83' Keita 84' (3:1) Gygax  87'	FCB summary	19' Cantaluppi 33' (1:1) Barberis  55'Savić	Attendance: 8,200 Referee: Schoch

Basel v Lugano

8 May 2002 Round 14	Basel	4 – 3	Lugano	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
20:15	Giménez 7' (1:0) Cantaluppi 23' (2:1) Ergić 79' (3:3) Tum 85' (4:3)	FCB summary	21' (1:1) Magnin 48' (2:2) Magnin  55' Morf  62' Gaspoz 71' (2:3) Rossi  75' Rothenbühler	Attendance: 33,433 (sold out) Referee: Nicole Petignat

Swiss Cup

Concordia v Basel

10 November 2001 Round 1	Concordia	0 – 5	Basel	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
	Ribeiro  45'	FCB summary	21' (0:1) Barberis  25' Quennoz 41' (0:2) Koumantarakis 59' (0:3) Giménez 75' (0:4) Tum 90+1' (0:5) Tum	Attendance: 5,431 Referee: Claudio Circhetta

Colombier v Basel

17 February 2002 Round 2	Colombier	0 – 1	Basel	Stade des Chézards, Colombier, Switzerland
		FCB summary	53' H. Yakin 56' (0:1) Giménez  59' Giménez	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Florian Etter

Zürich v Basel

21 March 2002 Quarterfinal	Zürich	1 – 4	Basel	Letzigrund, Zürich
	Akalé 24' (1:1) Iodice  45' Chassot  47' Akalé  36'  88'	FCB summary	17' (0:1) Koumantarakis  24' Koumantarakis 44' (1:2) Ergić 84' (1:3) Varela 87' (1:4) Chipperfield	Attendance: 6,800 Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Basel v Young Boys

11 April 2002 Semifinal	Basel	1 – 1 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p)	Young Boys	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
	Varela  13' Giménez 23' (1:0) Yao  58' Cravero  69' Atouba  90' Koumantarakis  114'	FCB summary	51' (1:1) Joel Descloux  73' Collaviti  77' Tikva	Attendance: 25,381 Referee: Massimo Busacca
	Penalties
	M. Yakin Zwyssig Giménez Koumantarakis Zuberbühler Chipperfield		Hänzi Tikva Joel Descloux Petrosyan Burri Berisha

Grasshoppers v Basel

12 May 2002 Final	Grasshoppers	1 – 2 (a.e.t.)	Basel	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
	Petrić 38' (1:1) Schwegler  28' Castillo  78' Cabanas  82' Petrić  91' Smiljanić  42'  112'	FCB summary	5' (0:1) Tum  43' M. Yakin 113' (pen. 1:3) M. Yakin  114' Barberis	Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Philippe Leuba

UEFA Intertoto Cup

Second round

Basel v Grindavík

1 July 2001 (2001-07-01) First leg	Basel	3 – 0	Grindavík	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
15:00	Magro 4' Tchouga 18' Tum 60' Magro  90+2'	FCB summary Report		Attendance: 6,843 Referee: Yuri Klyuchnikov (Russia)

Grindavík v Basel

8 July 2001 (2001-07-08) Second leg	Grindavík	0 – 2	Basel	Grindavíkurvöllur, Grindavík
16:00	Kekic  56' Floventtson  75'	FCB summary Report	14' (0:1) Muff  42' Aziawonou 80' (0:2) Muff	Attendance: 700 Referee: Zbigniew Marczyk (Poland)

Basel won 5–0 on aggregate.