FC Basel rout Lausanne for tenth Swiss Cup

FC Basel lifted the Swiss Cup for the tenth time on Sunday, routing Lausanne Sport 6-0 in the football final.

Basel were the favourites in the match against second-tier club Lausanne at their home St Jakob Park stadium, and cruised to victory after Switzerland internationals Valentin Stocker and 18-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri struck midway through the first half.

The two young midfielders will hope to have impressed watching national team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who names his 23-player squad for the World Cup on Tuesday. Hitzfeld also saw his captain, and Switzerland’s record scorer, Alex Frei return after being out injured since February.

Frei, who sustained a double fracture of his right arm, came on as a substitute when Basel led 4-0. Jacques Zoua scored with a header 30 seconds into the second half, and Scott Chipperfield tapped into an unguarded goal in the 52nd minute.

Frei soon assisted on Stocker’s second in the 75th minute and another Swiss international, Benjamin Huggel, made it 6-0.

Basel are assured of finishing in the Swiss League top two and entry to the Champions League qualifying rounds, so Lausanne could take their place in the Europa League next season if they get the required UEFA license.

The sides last played for the Swiss Cup in an infamous 1967 final. Basel won 3-0 by forfeit after Lausanne’s players refused to continue when Basel took a 2-1 lead with a disputed late penalty kick.

swissinfo.ch and agencies