Basel's double delight
Sunday, May 12, 2002
Article summary
FC Basel won a Swiss first division and ASF Pokal double on Sunday.
Article body
An extra-time penalty from Murat Yakin has secured a Swiss first division and ASF Pokal double for FC Basel, as they beat their arch rivals Grasshopper-Club 2-1 in the Swiss Cup final today.
27-year wait
Christian Gross's side, who last won the trophy 27 years ago, took a fifth-minute lead when their Cameroonian striker Hervé Tum found the back of the net. But in the 38th minute Mladen Petric headed the equaliser for Grasshoppers.
Chapuisat denied
The half ended in controversy, however, as a Yakin goal was ruled out for handball. The appearance of Stéphane Chapuisat as a substitute, playing in his last ever game for Grasshoppers, almost turned the match, but his overhead kick was saved by Pascal Zuberhüller.
Red card
The key moment of the final came eight minutes from the end of extra time. A handball from Grasshoppers captain Boris Smiljanic denied a goal for Basel, leading to the defender's dismissal and a penalty. Yakin calmly stroked the ball home and the Basel fans started to celebrate their first league-and-cup double since 1967.
