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FC Basel stunned Fiorentina on Thursday with a 2-1 victory away at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the Europa Conference League. If they can hold on to their aggregate lead at home, then Basel will be headed to the final. This begs the question, has a Swiss club ever made a European final?
Has a Swiss club ever made a European final?
No.
A Swiss team has yet to win a major European trophy or even appear in a final. The semifinal is the closest one has ever come.
FC Zurich made the semifinals of the European Cup (Champions League) in 1964 and 1977 losing 8-1 to Real Madrid the first time and 6-1 to Liverpool the latter.
In the Europa League Basel made it to the semis in 2013 but would lose to Chelsea 5-2. The only other time a Swiss team made it that far in Europe’s second tier tournament was Grasshoppers losing 3-3 on away goals to French club Bastia in 1978.
In the old Cup Winners’ Cup the furthest Swiss teams ever made it were the quarterfinals.
Basel have the chance to do what no other Swiss club have accomplished and make it to a European final.
Zeki Amoundi’s 92nd minute goal on Thursday has given Swiss fans hope of a first appearance on the big stage.
ZEKI AMDOUNI CALLS GAME IN STOPPAGE TIME. pic.twitter.com/bfC9HFjdOL
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 11, 2023
While many people criticized the invention of the Europa Conference League as a money-grab from UEFA, it does have its positives. The tournament gives smaller clubs from different countries a chance of continental glory. 2023 will mark the 130th year since Basel was formed and its only right that a club with so much history have a chance to win a tournament like this.
It would be quite a miracle too as Basel have had one of their worst seasons in decades. Through 32 games Basel don’t have a winning record, sit fifth in the league and are somehow in a European semifinal. The last time Basel didn’t finish top three in the Swiss top flight was the 2000-01 season.
Basel and Fiorentina will play the return leg in Switzerland on Thursday, May 18 at 3 p.m. ET.
