| 2003–04 season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman |  Werner Edelmann |
| Manager | Christian Gross |
| Stadium | St. Jakob-Park |
| Swiss Super League | Champions |
| Swiss Cup | Round 3 |
| UEFA Cup | Round 2 |
| Top goalscorer | Christian Giménez (16) |
| Highest home attendance | 30,800 vsGrasshoppers (23.11.2003) 30,000 vs  Newcastle United(6.11.2003) |
| Lowest home attendance | 21,803 vsXamax (28.04.2004) |
| Average home league attendance | 29,850 |
The2003–04 season wasFussball Club Basel 1893's 111th in existence and the club's 10th consecutive season in theNationalliga A, the top flight of Swiss football. Basel played their home games in the newly constructedSt. Jakob-Park complex. Local businessman Werner Edelmann was the club's chairman for the second consecutive season.
The Club's main aims for the 2003–04 season were to regain theleague title and, as cup holders, to retain theircup title. The third aim was to remain in theUEFA Cup as long as possible. During pre-season Basel won theUhrencup and the Alpen Cup. After being the surprise package in Europe in the2002–03 season, Basel could not bring this form into theUEFA Cup in 2003–04 as they were eliminated byNewcastle United in the second round after defeatingMalatyaspor in the previous round.
The Super League season started impeccably, Basel won the first thirteen matches straight off. They completed the first half of the season undefeated, with seventeen wins and one draw. Basel remained in top position right up until the end of the season, thus achieving their championship aim. In the club's history this was their tenth championship title.
Christian Gross was the first team trainer for the fifth successive season. Former Basel youth playerDavid Degen, who had started his professional career withFC Aarau in 2000 returned to the club. Basel's biggest signing in advance of the 2003–04 season wasMatías Emilio Delgado fromChacarita Juniors[1]
But in the other directionBernt Haas returned toWest Bromwich Albion after the end of the loan period.[2]Ljubo Miličević returned toZürich as his loan contract had also ended andCarlos Varela was loaned out toFC Aarau. FurtherHakan Yakin left the club and transferred toParis Saint-Germain.[3] Following the players arrival at the club, PSG managerVahid Halilhodžić diagnosed him as not fit enough to train with the team and so sent Yakin into individual training. After five/six week of individual training, Halilhodžić hadn't changed his opinion and the contract between club and player was dissolved under mutual consent and Yakin returned to Basel. During the last few matches of the calendar year, he played a few matches for FCB.
FC Basel started the season off with various warm-up matches. These included teams from theSwiss lower league as well as teams from theGerman Bundesliga, theFrench Ligue 1 and theRomanian Liga I. The season began on 16 July 2003 with the home game againstZürich.
Despite the fact thatGrasshopper Club Zürich were the reigning Swiss champions, Basel were favourites to win the domestic championship title. As runners-up of theprevious Nationalliga A season, Basel entered theUEFA Cup in first round. The club's aims for the new season were clear, the league title must be won, the cup title was to be defended and that the team should remain in the2003–04 UEFA Cup competition, at least two rounds or even better until the winter break.
During the winter breakMarco Streller andHakan Yakin both transferred out toVfB Stuttgart. Basel signedFrancisco Gabriel Guerrero for six months on loan from FC Zürich.
TheSwiss Football Association (ASF-SFV) had changed the format of the domestic league. Since the1987–88 Nationalliga A season there were 24 teams in the Nationalliga, 12 in the Nationalliga A and 12 in the Nationalliga B. In the first stage there was a qualifying phase played as doubleround-robin. In the second phase the top eight clubs played a further double round-robin for the championship. Last season was last in that format. The new format was calledSwiss Super League, or with the sponsor's name Axpo Super League. As of this season, there were ten teams in the top tier and seventeen in the second tier. In the top tier, the teams played a double round-robin in the first half of the season and then another double round-robin in the second half. There were three points for a victory and one each for a draw. The champions and runners-up would enter thequalifying rounds of the 2004–05 Champions League, the third placed team would enter theUEFA Cup second qualifying round. The bottom placed team would be relegated the second last team would play a play-off against relegation.
Basel's priority aim for the season was to win the league championship.
The season began on 16 July 2003 with the home game againstZürich in theSt. Jakob-Park with 30,561 spectators.Hakan Yakin netted the first goal for FCB on 33 minutes. After the break, against the run of play, on 51 minutesAlhassane Keita scored the equaliser. Basel pressed for the winner and on 86 minutes following a set pieceBenjamin Huggel realised it and FCB won 2–1. The second league match was away againstYoung Boys in sold outStadion Neufeld inBern with an attendance of 11,850 fans. Basel went ahead through a goal from Christian Giménez in the 20th minute. YB equalised 7 minutes later,Leandro was the goal scorer. Immediately after the break, on 47 minutes,Joël Magnin put the hosts in front. FCB switched up a gear and forced YB back straight away and one minute late they were rewarded with their equaliser throughMarco Streller. Basel dominated and on 75 minutes Antonio Esposito scored the winning 3–2 goal for the visitors. During the match on 16 August in theStadion Lachen Christian Giménez scored a hattrick as FCB won 4–0 againstThun. In fact, the season started impeccably, Basel won the first thirteen matches straight off, before they lost their first points in the away game againstAarau in theStadion Brügglifeld with a 2–2 draw. Basel moved to the top of the league table from the first round and held this position without problem.
Despite disappointing results in the Cup and the UEFA Cup in November, the team held motivation high. They completed the first half of the league season undefeated, with seventeen victories and one draw.
Despite an away win in round 19 againstYoung Boys to the start of the second half of the season, the team was not as steadfast as it had been before the winter break. In round 20 they misplayed a two-goal advantage at home againstGrasshopper Club and had to be satisfied with a 2–2 draw. This was followed by a victory againstXamax and then a further two draws. On matchday 24 they were defeated for the first time in the domestic league losing 1–0 in theLetzigrund againstZürich. The team regrouped and Basel remained in top position in the table until the end of the season, thus won the championship.[4]
The team achieved their championship aim. This was the club's tenth championship title in its history. They won the championship with 26 victories and seven draws, the team had suffered just three away defeats, and obtained 85 points. This meant that they were 13 points ahead of second placedYoung Boys.Wil were bottom-placed and relegated andNeuchâtel Xamax played the play-out.
The team completed the seasons eighteen home ties undefeated, winning fourteen and drawing four. Their biggest home wins were two 6-0 wins againstServette in the first half of the season andNeuchâtel Xamax after the winter break. Four home games were reported as sold out, the highest attendance being 30,800 spectators on 23 November 2003 in their highest scoring match of the season, a 5–2 win againstGrasshopper.
Basel scored 86 goals during their league season, conceding 32.Christian Giménez was the team's top league scorer with 16 goals,Marco Streller second best with 13 and bothBenjamin Huggel andJulio Hernán Rossi netted eight times.Scott Chipperfield,Hervé Tum andMurat Yakin each scored seven times.[5]
As cup holders the club's clear aim was to defend the trophy, or in minimum to reach the final, because this would again be played in their home stadiumSt. Jakob-Park. The format of the cup had also been changed and all league teams now started in the first round. Here they were seeded and could not play against each other. In a match, the home advantage was granted to the team from the lower league, if applicable.
Basel were drawn against lower league teamFC Alle, who at that time played in the fourth tier of Swiss football. FCB head coach rotated the team, with captainMurat Yakin andMarco Streller he let two regular starters have a day off and the duoMatías Delgado andDavid Degen took their place on the bench. In front of over 4,000 spectators Basel started with strength and much tempo into the game.Marco Zwyssig, in the 8th minute,Benjamin Huggel, in the 18th andJulio Hernán Rossi in the 20th put the favourites three goals up and with this advantage they reduced their pressure. The hosts were overwhelmed, but were willing to fight for their dignity and honour and on 37 minutes scored their consolation goal. Basel reacted and within 60 seconds restored the three-goal advantage as Rossi scored his brace. Ten minutes after the break Huggel also achieved a brace with a long-distance shot. Basel controlled the rest of the match and went home with a 5–1 victory.[6]
In the next round FCB were drawn againstUrania Genève Sport, who at that time also played in the fourth tier. The run of play in this second-round game was similar to the first-round match. Basel used their tempo to put the lower-class team under pressure. The outcome was very similar, againMarco Zwyssig, this time in the 7th minute, againJulio Hernán Rossi, this time in the 15th minute andAntonio Esposito on 19 minutes put the visitors three goals up. Basel were then content to hold the ball in their possession and to keep play away from their area.Alexandre Quennoz added Basel's fourth just before the interval. In the second period FCB retained the hosts under control and did not allow the amateur team to create dangerous moves. This was successful until the 80th minute, as only a foul in the area could stop the visitor's efforts.Pascal Zuberbühler was equal to the spot-kick and held. However, in the last minute of the game he was beaten and the hosts scored their consolation goal.[7]
In the third round Basel were drawn away against theGrasshoppers. The match in theHardturm was played in front of 13,100 fans. GC played well and took advantage of the fact that FCB had had a difficult game three days before againstNewcastle United. GC controlled most of the first period keeping the visitors at bay and FCB could only create two dangerous chances. In the second period GC pressed forward believing in their chance and on 63 minutesEduardo put them into the lead. Basel reacted and pushed forward in their turn creating good opportunities, but the hosts defence held fast and salvaged the 1–0 lead over the final whistle.[8]
Basel were eliminated early in the competition and missed their domestic cup aim. Grasshoppers advanced as far as the final, but here they were surprisingly defeated byWil.[4]
As runners-up in theSwiss championship the previous season and asSwiss Cup winners Basel were qualified for theUEFA Cup first round. The club's aim was remain in theUEFA Cup as long as possible. But after being the surprise package in Europe in the2002–03 season, Basel could not bring this form into the UEFA Cup in 2003–04.
In the first round Basel were drawn againstMalatyaspor and played the first leg away in theMalatya İnönü Stadium inMalatya in front of a sold out 10,000 capacity attendance. Basel had to play without their best scorerChristian Giménez, defenderTimothée Atouba, and the midfield playersEsposito andIvan Ergic who were out injured. Basel started well into the game and their captainMurat Yakin put them a goal up after 15 minutes. The home team increased the pressure after the break and the visitors defence had to play at their best. Despite seeing the yellow card in the 51st minute, the visitors captain and centre back was the best Basel player on the day. Basel goalkeeperPascal Zuberbühler also saw the yellow card in after 71 minutes for time-wasting, but he was able to keep a clean score sheet until the end of the game. The captains younger brotherHakan, who had been substituted in just seven minutes earlier, finished off Basel's good move in the 75th minute to give the visitors a two-goal lead. And the 2–0 lead was held up until the end of the game.[9]
Basel started very quickly into the second leg match held atSt. Jakob-Park with two good early chances.Hervé Tum's header after just 45 seconds was a little too wide andTimothée Atouba tried a long range shot only a minute later but this was somewhat too high. But then the home team then defended their aggregate lead by simply keeping their Turkish opponents at bay by giving them a lot of space in the midfield area. Basel's goalkeeperPascal Zuberbühler only had to get involved once during the first half, this after 35 minutes asMuhammet Akagündüz appeared threateningly before him, but Atouba got back quickly to clear the danger. After the break the game changed. The visitors pushed forward with more pressure,Fazli Ulusoy had their first chance, but his shot hit the outside of the post. ThenCelaleddin Koçak reacted quickest on a loose ball and to beat Zuberbühler after 64 minutes. Muhammet Akagündüz also saw his shot bounce back of the post after 71 minutes.Malatyaspor kept up their pressure and six minutes from time, Kocak managed to net his second goal as he reacted quicker than the Basel defence to beat Zuberbühler with a well-placed header. The game ended with an aggregate 2–2 draw and thus went into over time. The momentum of the second half seemed to be with the visitors, however, Basel were able to regroup themselves andMarco Streller'ssilver goal saw them through to the second round.[10]
In the second round Basel were drawn againstNewcastle United. The first leg was held atSt. Jakob-Park with a sell-out 30,000 capacity. Basel started quickly with much momentum at the beginning of the first half. They had already come close on a couple of occasions beforeMario Cantaluppi slammed home a powerful drive from outside the penalty area in the 11th minute. The visitors reacted very quickly,Laurent Robert was sent clear of the defence two minutes later. The French winger finished with composure and he sent his low shot into the far corner of the goal. Another two minutes later Basel were awarded a corner kick. DefenderAndy O'Brien headed the ball clear but the danger was not over.Scott Chipperfield was able to collect the free ball and his shot was slightly deflected as it beat Newcastle keeperShay Given. Newcastle always seemed to be in danger as Basel pushed forward. EspeciallyChristian Giménez was always dangerous and the tall Marco Streller was always a danger as high balls were sent into the centre. The English side deserve credit for standing out that spell without any further damage. Then the found their second equaliser. In the 37th minuteGary Speed first tried to send his header home after aLaurent Robert corner, but the ball was blocked,Titus Bramble reacted quickly on the loose ball and forced it over the line. Before the breakChristian Giménez headed the ball against a post and in the second-half, substituteJulio Hernán Rossi forcedNolberto Solano to clear off the line when a corner came unexpectedly to him and diverted the ball with his face. Towards the end of the match Newcastle were the more dominant side and it was a pass from Solano that set up the winning goal.Shola Ameobi skilfully shook offMarco Zwyssig before driving the ball between the legs of keeperPascal Zuberbühler. Basel's head coachChristian Gross blamed defensive errors for the 2–3 home defeat.[11]
The second leg was played atSt James' Park in front of 40,325 spectators and was arbitrated by Danish refereeKnud Erik Fisker. He was the first-person taking action that evening by showing Newcastle's captainAlan Shearer a yellow card after just 15 seconds. In that action Basel defenderMarco Zwyssig was injured and he left the game in the fourth minute, being substituted byBoris Smiljanić. Smiljanić himself was involved in the next action. ALaurent Robert corner was completely misjudged by Basel goalkeeperPascal Zuberbühler and the ball bounced off the unlucky substitute's shin. Chipperfield cleared the ball, but it had already crossed the line and referee Fisker signalled the goal without hesitation. The rest of the game remained unspectacular, Newcastle controlled the game, but Basel remained dangerous on the counter. However, no further goals followed.
Basel were eliminated byNewcastle United in the second round 2–4 on aggregate.[12]
The club had hoped that they could have continued a round or perhaps two further, but despite being knocked out at this stage, they considered that that had achieved their European aim for this season.
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | Christian Gross |
| Assistant manager | Fritz Schmid |
| Fitness Coach | Harry Körner |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Thomas Grüter |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Romain Crevoisier |
| Team Manager |  Oliver Kreuzer |
| Team Administrator | Gustav Nussbaumer |
| Youth Team Coach U-21 | Heinz Hermann |
| Chairman | MrWerner Edelmann |
| Ground(capacity and dimensions) | St. Jakob-Park(33,433 / 120x80 m) |
Source: Homepage FCB
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| 21 | MF | SUI | David Degen(fromFC Aarau – on loan)[13] |
| — | CM |  BRA | Zé Maria(fromPrudentópolis Esporte Clube – on loan) |
| 20 | MF |  ARG | Matías Emilio Delgado(fromChacarita Juniors - n/a)[1] |
| — | MF | SUI | Hakan Yakin(return transfer fromParis Saint-Germain)[14] |
| — | DF | SUI | Philippe Cravero(toServette – free transfer) |
| — | DF | SUI | Bernt Haas(toWest Bromwich Albion – end of loan)[15] |
| — | FW |  ESP | Carlos Varela(toFC Aarau – on loan)[13] |
| — | MF | SUI | Hakan Yakin(toParis Saint-Germain - transfer)[3] |
| — | MF |  AUS | Ljubo Miličević(toZürich - end of loan) |
| 8 | MF | AUS | Mile Sterjovski(fromLille)[16] |
| 32 | FW | ARG | Francisco Gabriel Guerrero(fromFC Zürich – on loan)[17] |
| — | MF | SUI | Antonio Esposito(toVarese – free transfer)[18] |
| — | CM | BRA | Zé Maria(toPrudentópolis Esporte Clube – end of loan)[19] |
vBasel| 25 June 2003Pre-season | Celerina Selection | 0 – 8 | Basel | San Gian,Celerina |
| 18:15 | Summary |  3' (1:0)Giménez 8' (2:0)Giménez 11' (3:0)Huggel 17' (4:0)Chipperfield 42' (5:0)Rossi 46' (6:0)Huggel 58' (7:0)Fejzulahi 72' (8:0)Varela | Attendance: 800 Referee: Patric Collet |
vKarlsruher SC| 28 June 2003Pre-season | Basel | 2 – 0 | Karlsruher SC | Vicques |
| 18:30 | Barberis 19' (1:0) Chipperfield 28' (2:0) | Summary | Attendance: 1,973 Referee: Renzo Peduzzi |
v
AJ Auxerre| 12 July 2003Pre-season | Basel | 2 – 1 | AJ Auxerre | Centre Sportif,Delley-Portalban |
| 17:00 | Cantaluppi 17' (1:0) Rossi 72' (2:1) | Summary | 57' (1:1)Esteves | Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Florian Etter |
v
Rapid Bucharest| 19 July 2003Mid-season friendly | Basel | 2 – 2 | Rapid Bucharest | Europastadion,Rheinfelden (Baden) |
| 19:30 | Cantaluppi 45' (pen.) Giménez 66' | Summary | 6' Braku 60' Nikolai | Attendance: 1,800 Referee: Ralf Brombacher |
vSR Delémont| 5 August 2003Mid-season friendly | Basel | 3 – 1 | SR Delémont | Sportplatz Nau,Laufen |
| 19:00 | Rossi 28' (1:0) Streller 46' (2:0)Fejzulahi 81' (3:1) | Summary | 53' (2:1) Savic | Attendance: 2,400 Referee: Claudio Circhetta |
vBasel| 12 August 2003Mid-season friendly | FC Mulhouse | 1 – 5 | Basel | Stade de l'Ill,Mulhouse |
| 20:00 | Coquio 30' (1:2) | Summary | 8' (0:1)Giménez 17' (0:2)Giménez 40' (1:3)Streller 77' (1:4)Barberis 88' (1:5)Tum | Attendance: 180 Referee: Chevrier |
vBasel| 27 August 2003Mid-season friendly | FC Laufen | 0 – 6 | Basel | Sportplatz Nau,Laufen |
| 18:30 | Summary | 13' (1:0)Streller 51' (2:0)Streller 63' (3:0)Streller 65' (4:0) Ze Maria 68' (5:0)Tum 72' (6:0)Quennoz | Attendance: 2,100 Referee: Markus Von Känel | |
| Note: Fair game, no yellow cards | ||||
vBasel| 9 September 2003Mid-season friendly | SV Muttenz | 0 – 4 | Basel | Sportplatz Margelacker, Muttenz |
| 18:30 | Summary | 5' (0:1)Delgado 58' (0:2)Delgado 68' (0:3)Delgado 75' (0:4)Giménez | Attendance: 1,700 Referee: Daniel Wermelinger | |
| Note: Fair game, no yellow cards | ||||
vBasel| 16 Sept. 2003Mid-season friendly | SC Dornach | 0 – 2 | Basel | Gigersloch, Dornach |
| 19:00 | Summary | 14' (0:1)Delgado 20' (0:2)Tum | Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Salm | |
| Note: Fair game, no yellow cards | ||||
vBasel| 10 October 2003Mid-season friendly | RC Strasbourg Alsace | 1 – 0 | Basel | Stade de l'Ill,Mulhouse |
| 20:00 | Devaux 73' (1:0) | Summary | Attendance: 1,900 Referee: Philippe Kalt | |
| Note: Fair game, no yellow cards | ||||
vConcordia| 18 November 2003Mid-season friendly | Basel | 2 – 2 | Concordia | Athletic Satdium, Basel |
| 16:00 | Rossi 14' (1:0) Chipperfield 40' (2:0) | Summary |  42'Meili 64' Biancavilla 50' (pen. 1:0)Tchouga 56' (2:2)Tchouga 62' Amiti 86'Gloor | Attendance: 820 Referee: von Känel |
TheUhrencup is aclub football tournament, held annually inGrenchen.
v
Casino Bregenz| 2 July 2003Semifinal | Basel | 4 – 2 | Casino Bregenz | Stadion Brühl,Grenchen |
| 20:00 | Aslan 9' (o.g. 1:0) Rossi 28' (2:1)Giménez 42' (3:1)Giménez 55' (4:1) | Summary | 15' (1:1)Berchtold 58' (4:2) Aslan | Attendance: 4,118 Referee: Claudio Circhetta |
vBSC Young Boys| 4 July 2003Final | Basel | 1 – 0 | BSC Young Boys | Stadion Brühl,Grenchen |
| 20:45 | Streller 61' (0:1) | Attendance: 6,681 Referee: Marcus Nobs |
vHannover 96| 7 July 2003Semifinal | Basel | 3 – 3 (5 – 3p) | Hannover 96 | Stadion Rankhof, Basel |
| 21:10 | M. Yakin 17' (pen. 1:1) Huggel 26' (2:1)Streller 58' (3:2) | Summary | 12' (0:1)Stendel 35' (2:2)de Guzman 63' (3:3)Christiansen | Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Jérôme Laperrière |
| Penalties | ||||
M. Yakin Giménez Chipperfield Smiljanić Esposito | ViníciusN'Diaye DabrowskiStendel | |||
v
Beşiktaş J.K| 9 July 2003Final | Basel | 5 – 2 | Beşiktaş J.K | Stadion Rankhof, Basel |
| 21:10 | Smiljanić 20' (1:0) Rossi 25' (2:0)Giménez 32' (3:0)H. Yakin 45' (4:0)Streller 56' (5:0)Varela 77' | Summary | 74' (5:1)Sinan 86' (5:2)Tayfur | Attendance: 5,200 Referee: Philippe Leuba |
vBasel| 13 January 2004Winter Break | Baden | 0 – 4 | Basel | Barz,Zurzach |
| 18:00 | Summary | 15' (0:1),66' (0:4)Tum 45' (0:2),53' (0:3)H. Yakin | Attendance: 1,100 Referee: Martin Salm |
vBasel| 20 January 2004Winter Break | Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield | 1 – 1 | Basel | Villa Olímpica de Vélez Sarsfield,ItuzaingóBuenos Aires, |
| 17:45 | Martinez 90+1' (1:1) | Summary | 30' (0:1)Rossi | Referee: Bermudez |
vBasel| 22 January 2004Winter Break | Club Atlético Lanús | 0 – 0 | Basel | Polideportivo Municipal,Pinamar |
| Moiragui 63' | Summary | 60'Huggel | Referee: Rutini |
vBasel| 25 January 2004Winter Break | San Lorenzo de Almagro | 0 – 0 | Basel | Villa Deportiva de Cadetes de San Martin,Mar del Plata |
| Summary | Attendance: 100 Referee: Nesor Gorosito |
vBasel| 6 February 2004Winter Break | Bellinzona | 1 – 3 | Basel | Stadio Comunale,Bellinzona |
| 18:00 | Pit 71' (pen. 1:3) | Summary | 42' (0:1)Giménez 46' (0:2)Delgado 64' (0:3)Tum | Attendance: 800 Referee: Massimo Busacca |
| Note: Fair game, no yellow cards | ||||
vBasel| 7 February 2004Winter Break | Malcantone Agno | 0 – 1 | Basel | Stadio Cornaredo,Lugano |
| Rothenbühler 18' Ramos 39' | Report(in German) | 18' (pen. 0:1)Giménez 68'D. Degen | Attendance: 320 Referee: Reto Rutz |
vBasel| 28 April 2004Mid-season | SV Muttenz | 0 – 1 | Basel | Sportplatz Margelacker,Muttenz |
| 19:00 | Summary | 40'Dustin Wells | Attendance: 1,645 Referee: Claudio Chirchetta | |
| Note: Playing time 2x 40 minutes. Test playerDustin Wells fromWollongong City Wolves after the collapse of the AustralianNational Soccer League. | ||||
The Swiss Super League season was contested by ten teams.
| 16 July 2003Round 1 | Basel | 2 – 1 | Zürich | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | H. Yakin 33' (1:0) Esposito 42'Huggel 86' (2:1) | Summary | 51' (1:1) Kaita 82'Buess 85'Gygax | Attendance: 30,561 Referee: Philippe Leuba |
| Note: 300th game for goaliePascal Zuberbühler in theNationalliga A. | ||||
| 22 July 2003Round 2 | Young Boys | 2 – 3 | Basel | Stadion Neufeld,Bern |
| 19:30 | Leandro 27' (1:1) Magnin 47' (2:1) | Summary | 20' (0:1)Giménez 38'Quennoz 48' (2:2)Streller 75' (2:3)Esposito | Attendance: 11,850 (sold out) Referee: Massimo Busacca |
| 26 July 2003Round 3 | Basel | 4 – 2 | Neuchâtel Xamax | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Esposito 7' P. Degen 11' (1:0)Giménez 19' (2:0)Giménez 46' (3:0)M. Yakin 93' (pen. 3:3) | Summary | 28' Daffe 33'Bättig 40' Zambaz 60' (3:1)Mangane 40'Portillo 85' (3:2)Margairaz | Attendance: 29,055 Referee:  Roland Beck |
| 2 August 2003Round 4 | Wil | 2 – 3 | Basel | Stadion Bergholz,Wil |
| 19:30 | Lustrinelli 17' (1:0) Renggli 39'Romano 90' (2:3) | Summary | 34'Cantaluppi 61' (1:1)M. Yakin 67'P. Degen 76' (1:2)Atouba 78'Barberis 80' (1:3)Streller | Attendance: 5,600 Referee: Martin Salm |
| 9 August 2003Round 5 | Basel | 3 – 1 | Aarau | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Atouba 17' M. Yakin 21' (2:0)Rossi 69' (3:1)Huggel 79' | Summary | 20'Seoane 28'Varela 59' (2:1)de Napoli 78' Wittl 79'Christ | Attendance: 24,430 Referee: Guido Wildhaber |
| 16 August 2003Round 6 | Thun | 0 – 4 | Basel | Stadion Lachen,Thun |
| 19:30 | Cerrone 57' | Summary | 13' (0:1)Giménez 26' (0:4)Giménez 63' (0:3)Streller 84' (0:4)Giménez | Attendance: 8,150 Referee: Urs Meier |
| 24 August 2003Round 7 | Basel | 6 – 0 | Servette | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 16:15 | Streller 22' (1:0) Huggel 24'Giménez 29' (2:0)Chipperfield 31' (3:0)Giménez 53' (4:0)M. Yakin 71' (pen. 5:0)Tum 84' (6:0) | Summary | 33'Aziawonou 71'Roth 79'Zambrella | Attendance: 29,821 Referee: Carlo Bertolini |
| 31 August 2003Round 8 | Grasshoppers | 0 – 4 | Basel | Hardturm,Zürich |
| 16:15 | Spycher 59' | Summary | 39' (0:1)M. Yakin 52' (0:2)Streller 58' (0:3)Huggel 82' (0:4)Streller | Attendance: 17,666 Referee: Marcus Nobs |
| 3 September 2003Round 9 | Basel | 4 – 1 | St. Gallen | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Cantaluppi 35' P. Degen 51'Huggel 56' (1:0)M. Yakin 67' (2:0)Tum 70' (3:0)Streller 72' (4:0) | Summary | 36' Balmer 58'Alex 63'Zellweger | Attendance: 29,846 Referee: Guido Wildhaber |
| 14 September 2003Round 10 | Zürich | 0 – 1 | Basel | Letzigrund,Zürich |
| 16:15 | Petrosyan 77' Gygax 80' | Summary | 4' (0:1)Rossi 32'  80'Chipperfield 43'Smiljanić | Attendance: 18,200 Referee: Roland Beck |
| 28 September 2003Round 11 | Basel | 2 – 0 | Young Boys | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 16:15 | Streller 16' (1:0) Streller 18' (2:0)Rossi 42'Cantaluppi 75'P. Degen 86'D. Degen 87' | Summary | 30'Sermeter 40'Giallanza 81'Chapuisat | Attendance: 30,760 (sold out) Referee: René Rogalla |
| 2 October 2003Round 12 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 1 – 3 | Basel | Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel |
| 19:30 | Portillo 57' Forschelet 67'Ojong 76' (1:3) | Summary | 35' (0:1)Barberis 41' (0:2)H. Yakin 45'H. Yakin 68'Streller 68' (0:3)Delgado 88'Atouba | Attendance: 12,100 Referee: Guido Wildhaber |
| 5 October 2003Round 13 | Basel | 4 – 0 | Wil | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 16:15 | Streller 4' (1:0) Huggel 36' (2:0)Streller 53' (3:0)P. Degen 55' (4:0)Zwyssig 70' | Summary | 34'Nushi 62' Montandon 82' Ze Maria 83' Blunschi | Attendance: 29,850 Referee: Jérôme Laperrière |
| 27 October 2003Round 14 | Aarau | 2 – 2 | Basel | Stadion Brügglifeld,Aarau |
| 16:15 | de Napoli 6' (1:0) de Napoli 32'Varela 49'de Napoli 66' (2:2) | Summary | 7'Barberis 27' (1:1)Chipperfield 44'P. Degen 54' (1:2)Tum 56'Cantaluppi | Attendance: 9,250 Referee: Philippe Leuba |
| 29 October 2003Round 15 | Basel | 2 – 0 | Thun | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | D. Degen 38' (1:0) H. Yakin 63' (2:0)P. Degen 90' | Summary | Attendance: 29,029 Referee: Reto Rutz |
| 2 November 2003Round 16 | Servette | 1 – 2 | Basel | Stade de la Praille,Lancy |
| 16:15 | Kader 56' (1:1) Bah 79'Diogo 90+3' | Summary | 31' (0:1)Huggel 75'M. Yakin 79' (1:2)Rossi | Attendance: 18,800 Referee: Urs Meier |
| 23 November 2003Round 17 | Basel | 5 – 2 | Grasshoppers | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 16:15 | Cantaluppi 14' (1:1) Streller 16' (2:1)Streller 42' (3:1)Chipperfield 49' (4:1)Huggel 55' (5:1) | Summary | 11' (0:1)da Silva 86'Tararache 90' (5:2)Magro | Attendance: 30,800 (sold out) Referee: Roland Beck |
| 30 November 2003Round 18 | St. Gallen | 1 – 2 | Basel | Espenmoos,St. Gallen |
| 16:15 | Mirenda 45' (1:1) | Summary | 14' (0:1)Tum 60' (1:2)Chipperfield 64'D. Degen 75'Rossi | Attendance: 11,300 (sold out) Referee: Urs Meier |
| 15 February 2004Round 19 | Young Boys | 0 – 1 | Basel | Stadion Neufeld,Bern |
| 16:00 | Friedli 18' Sadik 48'Sermeter 68'Leandro 87' | Summary | 38'Chipperfield 54' (0:1)Giménez 75'Barberis 91'Huggel | Attendance: 11,850 (sold out) Referee: Philippe Leuba |
| 22 February 2004Round 20 | Basel | 2 – 2 | Grasshoppers | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 16:00 | P. Degen 9' (1:0) Tum 30' (2:0) | Summary | 37'Lichtsteiner 56'Tararache 60' (3:0)Eduardo 63' (4:0)Eduardo 75'Ziegler | Attendance: 26,851 Referee: Massimo Busacca |
| 28 February 2004Round 21 | Basel | 6 – 0 | Neuchâtel Xamax | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | M. Yakin 1' (1:0) Tum 10' (2:0)Tum 53' (3:0)Giménez 69' (4:0)Giménez 71' (5:0)Guerrero 90' (6:0) | Summary | Attendance: 21,803 Referee: René Rogalla |
| 7 March 2004Round 22 | St. Gallen | 1 – 1 | Basel | Espenmoos,St. Gallen |
| 14:30 | Wolf 20' (1:0) Naldo 61' 77' | Summary | 43' (1:1)Huggel 55'Tum | Attendance: 9,000 Referee: René Rogalla |
| 13 March 2004Round 23 | Basel | 1 – 1 | Thun | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Cantaluppi 13' Baykal 20'Rossi 25'Giménez 32' (1:1)Zanni 52' | Summary | 2' (0:1)Lustrinelli | Attendance: 23,223 Referee: Carlo Bertolini |
| 17 March 2004Round 24 | Zürich | 1 – 0 | Basel | Letzigrund,Zürich |
| 19:30 | Gygax 7' (1:0) Chihab 11'Dal Santo 58'Taini 86' | Summary | 13'Delgado 90'Smiljanić | Attendance: 16,200 Referee: Nicole Petignat |
| 20 March 2004Round 25 | Basel | 3 – 1 | Aarau | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Cantaluppi 28' Giménez 43' (1:1)Rossi 71' (2:1)Giménez 76' (3:1) | Summary | 27' (0:1)Opango 24'Gaspoz 51'Tcheutchoua 65'Seoane 67' Moretto | Attendance: 26,099 Referee: Guido Wildhaber |
| 28 March 2004Round 26 | Wil | 1 – 1 | Basel | Stadion Bergholz,Wil |
| 14:30 | Blunschi 53' (1:1) | Summary | 39' (0:1)Rossi 45'Smiljanić 62'Huggel 83'Barberis | Attendance: 5,400 Referee: Urs Meier |
| 4 April 2004Round 27 | Servette | 1 – 4 | Basel | Stade de la Praille,Lancy |
| 14:30 | Bah 23' Zambrella 44'Obradović 59' (1:1) | Summary | 17'Delgado 38' (0:1)Giménez 60' (1:2)D. Degen 71' (1:3)Atouba 90+2' (1:4)Chipperfield | Attendance: 18,683 Referee: Massimo Busacca |
| 8 April 2004Round 28 | Basel | 1 – 0 | Servette | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Rossi 56' (1:0) | Summary | 33'Vardanyan | Attendance: 26,649 Referee: Marcus Nobs |
| 15 April 2004Round 29 | Basel | 2 – 0 | Wil | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Chipperfield 1' (1:0) Delgado 58' (2:0)Tum 77' | Summary | 54' Ivan Previtali | Attendance: 24,515 Referee: Cyril Zimmermann |
| Note: First Super League game for referee Cyril Zimmermann | ||||
| 18 April 2004Round 30 | Aarau | 3 – 0 | Basel | Stadion Brügglifeld,Aarau |
| 14:30 | Wittl 4' (1:0) Tcheutchoua 60' (2:0)Bieli 73'Zuberbühler 77' (o.g. 3:0)Opango 90' | Summary | 25'Džombić 76'D. Degen | Attendance: 9,250 (sold out) Referee: Messner |
| Note: Super League debut forDamir Dzombic | ||||
| 24 April 2004Round 31 | Basel | 1 – 1 | Zürich | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 16:00 | Smiljanić 27' (1:1) D. Degen 60' | Summary | 13'Gygax 22' (0:1)Petrosyan 38'Filipescu 45'Matić 78'Nef 92'Taini | Attendance: 27,842 (sold out) Referee: René Rogalla |
| 2 May 2004Round 32 | Thun | 0 – 2 | Basel | Stadion Lachen,Thun |
| 16:15 | Deumi 53' Hodžić 83' | Summary | 10' (0:1)Chipperfield 23' (0:2)P. Degen | Attendance: 10,055 (stadium record) Referee: Reto Rutz |
| 8 May 2004Round 33 | Basel | 0 – 0 | St. Gallen | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 19:30 | Giménez 53' Chipperfield 88' | Summary | 77'Merenda | Attendance: 25,403 Referee: Urs Meier |
| 12 May 2004Round 34 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 3 – 1 | Basel | Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel |
| 19:30 | Griffiths 64' Rey 69' (1:1)Forschelet 83'Forschelet 90' (2:1)Portillo 84'M'Futi 90+3' (3:1) | Summary | 45'Tum 59' (0:1)Smiljanić 64'Atouba | Attendance: 8,200 Referee: Marcus Nobs |
| 16 May 2004Round 35 | Grasshoppers | 0 – 2 | Basel | Hardturm,Zürich |
| 16:15 | Mitreski 59' Gane 39'Shala 78'Salatić 59' | Summary | 28' (0:1)Duruz 33' (0:2)Rossi 37'D. Degen 84'Barberis | Attendance: 11,900 Referee: Carlo Bertolini |
| 22 May 2004Round 36 | Basel | 2 – 1 | Young Boys | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 20:15 | Rossi 5' (1:0) Cantaluppi 10'Giménez 36' (2:0) | Summary | 47' (2:1)Chapuisat | Attendance: 29,541 (sold out) Referee: Philippe Leuba |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basel(C) | 36 | 26 | 7 | 3 | 86 | 32 | +54 | 85 | Qualification toChampions League third qualifying round |
| 2 | Young Boys | 36 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 75 | 48 | +27 | 72 | Qualification toChampions League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Servette | 36 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 61 | 62 | −1 | 52 | Qualification toUEFA Cup second qualifying round |
| 4 | Zürich | 36 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 58 | 52 | +6 | 50 | |
| 5 | St. Gallen | 36 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 54 | 57 | −3 | 50 | |
| 6 | Thun | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 51 | 57 | −6 | 49 | Qualification toIntertoto Cup first round |
| 7 | Grasshopper | 36 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 62 | 74 | −12 | 41 | |
| 8 | Aarau | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 57 | 69 | −12 | 38 | |
| 9 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 46 | 63 | −17 | 36 | Qualification torelegation play-off |
| 10 | Wil(R) | 36 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 37 | 73 | −36 | 29 | Relegation toSwiss Challenge League |
| 19 September 2003Round 1 | FC Alle | 1 – 5 | Basel | Centre Sportif Régional,Alle, Switzerland |
| 20:15 | Tabriche 37' (1:3) | Summary | 8' (0:1)Zwyssig 19' (0:2)Huggel 21' (0:3)Rossi 38' (1:4)Rossi 55' (1:5)Huggel | Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Claudio Circhetta |
| 19 October 2003Round 2 | Urania Genève Sport | 1 – 4 | Basel | Stade des Trois-Chênes,Thônex |
| 16:15 | Gabzcyl 51' Ballon 75'Rahali 80′Gabzcyl 90' (1:4) | Summary | 7' (0:1)Zwyssig 15' (0:2)Rossi 19' (0:3)Esposito 44' (0:4)Quennoz | Attendance: 3,259 Referee: Bruno Grossen |
| 9 November 2003Round 3 | Grasshoppers | 1 – 0 | Basel | Hardturm,Zürich |
| 14:30 | Petrić Eduardo 63' (1:0)Opabunmi 83' | Summary | 22'Atouba 24'Streller 61'D. Degen 79'Chipperfield | Attendance: 13,100 Referee: Marcus Nobs |
vBasel| 24 September 20031st Leg | Malatyaspor | 0–2 | Basel | Malatya İnönü Stadium,Malatya |
| Akagünduz 25' | (Report) | 15' 51'M. Yakin 51'Zuberbühler 75'H. Yakin | Attendance: 10,000 (sold out) Referee: Marian Mircea Salomir (Rom) |
vMalatyaspor| 15 October 20032nd Leg | Basel | 1–2 | Malatyaspor | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| Huggel 16' Streller 95' | (Report) | 25' Birlik 65',85'Koçak 93' Bensol 102' Domies Junior De-Azevedo Elias | Attendance: 26,663 Referee: Attila Juhos (Hungary) |
Aggregate: 3-2 / Basel win on silver goal
vNewcastle United| 6 November 20031st Leg | Basel | 2–3 | Newcastle United | St. Jakob-Park,Basel |
| 20:30 | Cantaluppi 11' Chipperfield 15'P. Degen 29' | (Report) | 13'Robert 37'Bramble 75'Ameobi | Attendance: 30,000 (sold out) Referee:Tom Henning Øvrebø (Norway) |
vBasel| 27 November 20032nd Leg | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Basel | St James' Park,Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 20:30 | Shearer 1' Smiljanić 14' (o.g.) | (Report) | 27'Cantaluppi | Attendance: 45,000 Referee:Knud Erik Fisker (Denmark) |
Aggregate: Newcastle win 4-2 on aggregate
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