26.09.2008
AC Bellinzona – Grasshopper Club 1-1 (1-0)
Comunale, 3116 spectators. Referee: Laperrière
31st Drissa 1-0, 92nd Salatic 1-1

27.09.2008
FC Sion – FC Aarau 1-1 (0-1)
Tourbillon, 8500 spectators. Referee: Busacca
40th Bastida 0-1, 91st Dominguez 1-1

FC Basel – Young Boys 1-2 (0-1)
St. Jakob, 24246 spectators. Referee: Kever
32nd Bastians 0-1, 70th Haeberli 0-2, 79th Gelabert 1-2

28.09.2008
FC Vaduz – FC Luzern 1-0 (1-0)
Rheinpark, 2120 spectators. Referee: Studer
34th Gaspar 1-0

FC Zurich – Neuchatel Xamax 3-0 (2-0)
Letzigrund, 7600 spectators. Referee: Circhetta
2nd Hassli 1-0, 21st Alphonse 2-0, 90th Alphonse 3-0

STANDINGS
(Team, Games Played, Points, Wins, Draws, Defeats, Goals Scored, Goals Conceded)

1. FC BASEL 10 – 24 – 8 – 0 – 2 – 22 – 9
2. FC Zurich 10 – 22 – 7 – 1 – 2 – 25 – 12
3. Grasshopper 10 – 17 – 4 – 5 – 1 – 18 – 11
4. FC Aarau 10 – 17 – 4 – 5 – 1 – 13 – 9
5. Young Boys 10 – 14 – 4 – 2 – 4 – 16 – 15
6. FC Sion 10 – 12 – 3 – 3 – 4 – 14 – 18
7. Neuchatel Xamax 10 – 10 – 2 – 4 – 4 – 14 – 18
8. FC Vaduz 10 – 10 – 2 – 4 – 4 – 8 – 19
9. AC Bellinzona 10 – 7 – 1 – 4 – 5 – 9 – 16
10. FC Luzern 10 – 2 – 0 – 2 – 8 – 6 – 18

9th Matchday
Saturday 13th September

Neuchatel Xamax – FC Sion 3-3 (2-1)
Stade de la Maladière, 5732 spectators. Referee: Busacca
3rd Brown 1-0, 16th M’Futi 1-1, 21st Chihab 2-1, 57th Saborio 2-2, 67th Chihab 3-2 (P), 75th Monterrubio 3-3.

A spectacular “Derby Romand” (Derby between the two french-speaking teams) with a 3-3 score. Ambitious FC Sion will regret not having taken full points from this game with the potential quality they have, Neuchatel will regret not being able to hold an advantage.

FC Basel – FC Luzern 2-0 (1-0)
St. Jakob Park, 20627 spectators. Referee: Zimmermann
16th Huggel 1-0, 84th Chipperfield 2-0

A smooth win for Basel against the last team in the standings. Basel controlled the game without wasting too much energy before the Champions’ League clash with Shakhtar.

Grasshopper – FC Aarau 0-0
Letzingrund, 4500 spectators. Referee: Studer

A poor draw for Grasshopper who were expected to put more effort in this game. Aarau proves to be a tough team to beat.

Sunday 14th September

AC Bellinzona – Young Boys 1-2 (0-1)
Stadio Comunale, 3870 spectators. Referee: Rogalla.
33rd Raimondi 0-1, 76th Valmerino 1-1, 86th Doumbia Seydou 1-2

A significant win for Young Boys who are trying to make some points after a disastrous beginning. Bellinzona appear to have to battle to avoid relegation with Vaduz and Luzern.

FC Vaduz – FC Zurich 1-7 (0-0)
Rheinpark, 2780 spectators. Referee: Bertolini.
47th Hassli 0-1, 58th Djuric 0-2, 59th Hassli 0-3, 68th Rivaldo 1-3, 75th Alphonse 1-4, 78th Stahel 1-5, 81st Abdi 1-6, 90th Abdi 1-7.

An incredible game in Liechtenstein but how can a team concede 7 goals in 45 minutes? Zurich look confident ahead of their UEFA Cup clash with AC Milan.

FC Sion – FC Basel 2-0
Neuchatel Xamax – Aarau 0-0 (Saturday 2nd)
AC Bellinzona – FC Luzern 2-2
FC Vaduz – Grasshopper Zurich 1-1
FC Zurich – Young Boys 2-1 (Sunday 3rd)

Standings:
1. FC Aarau 10 Points 4 Games
2. FC Basel 9 Points 4 Games
3. FC Zurich 9 points 4 Games
4. Neuchatel Xamax 7 points 4 Games
5. FC Sion 6 points 4 Games
6. FC Vaduz 5 points 4 Games
7. Grasshopper 4 points 3 Games
8. Bellinzona 1 point 3 Games
9. FC Luzern 1 point 4 Games
10. Young Boys 1 point 4 Games

FC Sion – FC Basel 2-0 (2-0)
Tourbillon, 14800 spectators. Referee: Messner
36th 1-0 Beto, 45th 2-0 Adeshina
FC Sion: El-Hadary; Vanczak, Alioui, Nwaneri, Buehler; Serey Die, Beto; Reset (78′Dominguez), Monterrubio, Crettenand (89′Morganella); Adeshina (83′Saborio).
FC Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Abraham, Marque,Safari; Huggel (84′Gelabert); Rubio, Ergic (64′Gjasula), Chipperfield (46′Stocker), Perovic; Derdiyok.

This is Basel’s first defeat of the season against an aggressive team that sought to dominate the physical side of the game since the very beginning. The decisive mistakes by the Basel defence aided Sion in their task, together with the lack of creativity and quality in Basel’s attack. It is obvious that Christian Gross’ men are thinking of the second leg of the Champions’ League, when they will play at home to IFK Goteborg after a 1-1 draw in Sweden. Basel might have troubles with the attack, since Derdiyok doesn’t seem to be the same as he was during the last season. FC Sion hasn’t conceded a goal for the first time and Stielike can be quite satisfied with the result.

Neuchatel Xamax FC – FC Aarau 0-0
Maladière, 5575 spectators. Referee: Kever
Neuchatel Xamax FC: G.Faivre; Nuzzolo, Furios (70′Soulaimani), Besle, Edjenguele; Bah, Chihab; Rossi, Taljevic (76′Niçoise); Szlykowicz; Brown (72′Joao Paulo).
FC Aarau: Benito; Menezes, Rapisarda, Page, Elmer; Mutsch (87′Guerrero), Burki, Bastida, Nushi; Rogerio (75′Tarone), Ianu (81′Bengondo).

Leaders FC Aarau couldn’t get more than a point in Neuchatel. The home team dominated the game, hitting a post with Taljevic and missing the winner at the very end with Joao Paulo.

AC Bellinzona – FC Luzern 2-2 (0-2)
Stadio Comunale, 4287 spectators. Referee: Zimmermann.
4th 0-1 Chiumiento (P), 29th 0-2 Ravasi, 75th 1-2 Conti, 93rd 2-2 Lustrinelli.
AC Bellinzona: Gritti; Belotti (63. Siqueira-Barras), Mangiarratti, La Rocca, Bernardet; Sermeter, Wahab, Rivera (46. Roux), Gashi; Lustrinelli, Neri (63. Conti).
FC Luzern: Zibung; Lambert, Veskovac (55. Schwegler), Seoane, Lustenberger; Wiss, Renggli; Ferreira, Gajic (57. Mesbah), Chiumiento; Ravasi (87. Schirinzi).

Just as Luzern had thought they had grabbed their first win of the season (and first points too) in comes Lustrinelli (a former player of Luzern) with a dramatic late winner to make the teams share the spoils. A thrilling game where the home team was 2 goals down 15 minutes to the end.

FC Vaduz – Grasshopper Zurich 1-1 (0-0)
Rheinpark 3280 Spectators, Referee: Grossen.
57th 1-0 Fejzulahi, 80th 1-1 Bobadilla
Vaduz: Sommer; Ritzberger, Iten, Dzombic, Cerrone; Senna; Fischer (81. Bellon), Mea Vitali (61. Polverino), Fejzulahi, Rivaldo Barbosa (73. Willian Saroa); Gaspar.
Grasshopper: Jakupovic; Voser, Vallori, Smiljanic (60. Sabanovic), Daprela; Salatic, Colina; Calla, Zarate (82. Touré), Lulic; Bobadilla (87. Zuber).

First point at home for Vaduz who played a convincing game after the disastrous defeat in the first round of the UEFA Cup. A wonder goal by Fejzulahi had given the Liechtenstein team the advantage yet a late equaliser (deflected by Saroa) spared Grasshopper’s blushes.

FC Zurich – Young Boys 2-1 (1-0)
Letzigrund. Referee: Wermelinger.
Goals: 34th 1-0 Aegerter, 1-1 80th Ghezal, 83rd 2-1 Djuric.
Zürich: Leoni; Lampi, Stahel, Barmettler, Rochat; Nikci (70. Mehmedi), Tico, Aegerter, Djuric; Abdi (87. Ladner); Alphonse (64. Tahirovic).
Young Boys: Wölfli; Zayatte, Ghezal, Portillo, Schneider; Marco Schneuwly (46. Regazzoni), Hochstrasser, Baykal (73. Doumbia), Raimondi; Eudis (46. Frimpong), Häberli.

A tough beginning of the season for Young Boys who have obtained one point in 4 games. Last year’s Runners-Up desperately lack the quality of Hakan Yakin. Zurich dominated the game with keeper Wofli being the busiest keeper on the pitch. Despite Ghezal’s temporary equaliser, Young Boys were defeated through a wonderful pass by Abdi that gave Djuric the winner.

Both Newcastle United and Arsenal are following Swiss International and Udinese Midfielder Gokhan Inler who has been one of the most surprising transfers of last year’s Serie A. Udinese won’t part with the player that easily and the starting price is fixed at 6,3 Million Euros (certainly not a trifle!). Will Udinese let their best player leave right before a challenging Serie A season and join one of the two Premier League giants or will he stay in a small ambitious club and become it’s chief protagonist?

Last but not least, Napoli and Brescia are working on an exchange involving the latter’s Swiss midfielder Fabrizio Zambrella (one of the best players of the Serie B, the Italian Second League) and Samuele Della Bona who would leave the Neapolitan team.

Grasshopper has made it! 2nd round of the UEFA Cup for the Zurich side
Grasshopper Zurich qualified for the second round of the UEFA Cup after defeating Bulgarian team Chernomorets Burgas on a 4-0 aggregate score. Latour’s team won 1-0 in yesterday’s return game courtesy of a 53rd minute goal by Bobadilla. The Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Cup will take place on the 14th and 28th of August where Young Boys, FC Zurich and hopefully Bellinzona and Vaduz (if these two qualify from the first round) will also be involved.

Third Matchday of the Swiss League
Two games were played yesterday, two more will be played today and Grasshopper-Sion will be Wednesday’s fixture.

FC Luzern – Neuchatel Xamax 0-1 (0-0)
Allmend, 5874 spectators. Referee: Busacca
0-1 84th Rossi
FC Luzern: Zibung; E.Zverotic (54′Ch.Lambert), Veskovac, Seoane, C.Lustenberger; Renggli, Wiss; Ferreira, Chiumiento (86′Paquito), Mesbah (81′Schirinzi); Ravasi.
Neuchatel Xamax: G.Faivre; Nuzzolo, Furios, Besle, Edjenguele; Bah, Chihab, Rossi (90′Rak), Taljevic (64′Niçoise); Szlykowicz, Brown (64′Joao Paulo).

The transfer of Lustrinelli to Bellinzona appears to have been a serious loss to Luzern. The team coached by Ciriaco Sforza has lost all three games and is now miserably at the bottom of the table. Neuchatel Xamax wins a second away game in a row thanks to a late strike by Argentinian striker Rossi.

FC Basel – AC Bellinzona 2-0 (1-0)
St. Jakob Park, 19,829 spectators. Referee: Wermelinger.
1-0 8th Chipperfield, 2-0 75th Ergic
FC Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Abraham, Marque, Safari; Huggel, Carlitos, Ergic (82′Gelabert), Chipperfield (46′Gjasula); Perovic (70′Stocker), Derdiyok.
AC Bellinzona: Gritti; Miccolis, Mangiarratti, La Rocca, Bernardet; Sermeter, Mehmeti (63′Di Zenzo), Rivera, Wahab (85′Conti); Neri (78′Roux), Lustrinelli.

Season favourites FC Basel defeated Bellinzona in a remake of last year’s Swiss Cup and centred a third win in three games. Despite the score and the results Basel fails to impress upfront, squandering many chances: certainly not a good sign before the 2nd Round Qualifier in the Champions’ League against Goteborg.

UPDATED SECTION

FC Aarau – FC Zurich 2-1 (1-0)
Bruegglifeld, 9250 Spectators. Referee: Bertolini.
1-0 30th Burki, 1-1 58th Alphonse, 2-1 75th Bengondo
FC Aarau: Benito; Menezes, Rapisarda, Page, Elmer; Mutsch (88′Schaub), Burki, Bastida, Nushi; Rogerio (70′Bengondo), Ianu (80′Tarone).
FC Zurich: Leoni; Lampi, Stahel, Rochat, Stucki (77′Mehmedi); Aegerter, Tico (46′Alphonse); Nikci (84′Ladner), Abdi, Djuric; Hassli.

My predictions are getting hammered here. FC Aarau won a third game in a row and currently top the standings above FC Basel through goal difference. The team coached by Komornicki impresses once more with a solid win over ambitious FC Zurich. The winner was scored by Bengondo at the 75th minute; the Cameroon player had only been on the pitch for 5 minutes!

Young Boys – FC Vaduz 0-0
Stade de Suisse, 12,665 spectators. Referee: Petignat. RED CARD: Varela (40th)
Young Boys: Woelfli; C.Schwegler (76′Zayatte), Portillo, Ghezal, Schneider; Hochstrasser; Varela/53′, Baykal (70′Yapi), Raimondi (70′Bastians); Haeberli; Eudis.
FC Vaduz: Sommer; Ritzberger, Iten, Dzombic, Cerrone; M.Polverino; Fischer (85′D.Bellon), Mea, Fejzulahi; Rivaldo Barbosa (82′Sutter); Gaspar.

A dull draw for the two teams. Young Boys fails to impress, after the transfer of Yakin to Qatar the team seems to lack the quality to thwart FC Basel. A second place this year appears to be utopia. Vaduz is now on 4 points and is probably looking forward to its UEFA Cup second leg clash with Mostar.

STANDINGS:
(Name, Points, Games Played, Wins, Losses, Draws, Goals Scored, Goals Conceded)
1. FC Aarau 6, 2, 2, 0, 0, 5-1
2. FC Basel 6, 2, 2, 0, 0, 3-1
3. FC Zurich 6, 2, 2, 0, 0, 3-1
4. Neuchatel Xamax FC 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 3-3
5. FC Sion 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 3-4
6. FC Vaduz 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 2-3
7. AC Bellinzona 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1-2
8. Grasshopper Zurich 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0-1
9. BSC Young Boys 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2-4
10. FC Luzern 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 1-3

And this matchday’s results were as follows:

FC Basel – Grasshopper Zurich 1-0 (1-0)
Saint Jakob Park, 23,915 spectators. Referee: Zimmermann
45th Perovic
FC Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Abraham, Marque, Safari (81′Hodel); Huggel; Frei (71′Rubio), Ergic, Gjasula, Perovic (64′Chipperfield); Derdiyok.
Grasshopper Club: Jakupovic; Voser, Vallori, Smiljanic, Mikari; Salatic, Colina; Zarate (75′Sabanovic), Rinaldo (58′Touré), Lulic (85′Ri.Cabanas); Bobadilla

FC Basel haven’t lost a home game since the 5th of August 2006. A wonderful free kick by Serbian Perovic settled the game. They also hit the woodwork twice in the first half and were quite content with the score in the second half.

FC Zurich – FC Luzern 1-0 (1-0)
Letzigrund, no spectators (disciplinary decision), Referee: Studer
18th Rochat
FC Zurich: Leoni; Lampi, Stahel, Barmettler, Rochat; Aegerter, Tico (65′M.Buechel); Nikci (73′Ladner), Abdi, Djuric (90′Stucki); Hassli.
FC Luzern: Zibung; E.Zverotic (88′Karanovic), R.Schwegler, B.Diarra (20′Wiss), C.Lustenberger; Renggli, Seoane; Ferreira (86′Schirinzi), Chiumiento, Mesbah; Ravasi.

Not a memorable game for sure. FC Zurich second win coincides with Luzern’s second defeat, the match being settled by an early goal by Alain Rochat.

AC Bellinzona – Neuchatel Xamax FC 1-2 (0-1)
Stadio Comunale, 4786 spectators, Referee: Petignat
0-1 40th Rossi, 52nd 1-1 Sermeter (P), 63rd Chihab 1-2
AC Bellinzona: Gritti; Miccolis, Mangiarratti, La Rocca, Raso; Sermeter, Mehmeti, Rivera (76′Di Zenzo), Gashi (70′Roux); Neri (89′Conti), Lustrinelli.
Neuchatel Xamax: G.Faivre; Nuzzolo, Hodzic (30′Furios), Besle, Edjenguele (78′Rak); Bah, Chihab; Rossi, Szlykowicz; Taljevic, Brown (64′Joao Paulo)

Neuchatel Xamax got its revenge following last year’s Swiss Cup Semifinal loss to the same opponents and ruined Bellinzona’s celebrations on their first game in the Super League in 18 years!
The Ticino side squandered many chances with the visitors’ keeper, a very promising talent, giving his team a hand in grasping the win. A generous penalty had given the hosts hope but Neuchatel’s overall quality prevailed in the end.

FC Sion – Young Boys 2-1 (0-1)
Tourbillon, 13,000 Spectators. Referee: Bertolini
0-1 25th Kali (Own Goal), 1-1 64th Monterrubio (P), 79th Adeshina 2-1. Serey Die (Sion) RED CARD 42nd minute.
FC Sion: El-Hadary; Vanczak, Kali, Nwaneri, Buehler; Serey Die, Ahoueya; Reset (76′Alioui), Crettenand (46′Brellier), Monterrubio; Saborio (46′Adeshina).
Young Boys: Woelfli; C.Schwegler, Zayatte, Ghezal, Schneider; M.Schneuwly (65′Baykal), Yapi, Hochstrasser, Raimondi; Eudis (71′Frimpong), Haeberli (50′Luescher).

There were mixed feelings for Sion’s latest transfers. Serey Die was shown a second yellow card at the end of the first half while Monterrubio scored his first goal on a penalty kick thanks to a pointless foul by Schneider on Reset. The first half was a very unfortunate one for Sion who also had to cope with an own goal scored by defender Kali. Yet Stielike’s men were devastating in the second half and managed to defeat the Bernese team (in last year’s season they had lost all 4 games to Young Boys).

FC Vaduz – FC Aarau 0-2 (0-1)
Rheinpark, 2035 Spectators. Referee: Hanni.
0-1 38th Ianu, 0-2 49th Rogerio
FC Vaduz: Sommer; Reinmann (64′Grossklaus), Iten, Dzombic, Cerrone; M.Polverino; D.Bellon (56′Willian Saroa), Mea, Fejzulahi, Fischer; Gaspar.
FC Aarau: Benito; Menezes, Rapisarda, Page, Elmer; Mutsch (88′Schaub), Burki, Bastida, Nushi; Ianu (77′Tarone), Rogerio (87′Bengondo).

The Ianu-Rogerio duo has confirmed its quality following the opening matchday win against FC Sion. Aarau is not as weak as it seems and won a tricky game against the Liechtenstein side who had surprisingly won the first game away at Luzern last weekend. Vaduz had not lost one single game during last year’s Challenge League season.

BEHRAMI MOVES TO WEST HAM
Swiss International Valon Behrami has been transferred from Lazio to Premier League side West Ham for 5 Million Pounds. Despite Sevilla’s interest the Swiss midfielder has chosen the Premier League and will play with the likes of Ljungberg and Bellamy. He becomes the 7th Swiss Player who will be part of the Premier League in this coming season together with Senderos, Djourou, Degen, Dzemaili, Vogel and Gelson Fernandes.

1. Olivier Monterrubio: FC Sion has acquired one of the most dangerous players of the Ligue 1, the French winger has been the best assist provider during three consecutive seasons. Good news for forward Alvaro Saborio then, who is going to hope that the entente between the two will be as positive as the one between Monterrubio and Alexander Frei in Rennes (2004-2005 season).
He has played for FC Nantes (1996-2001), Stade Rennais (2001-2007), RC Lens (2007-2008). He has scored 66 goals and played 315 games in the French championship.

2. Felix Bastians: When he was 16 years old he moved from the Borussia Dortmund youth team to Nottingham Forest where he was loaned to 6 teams between 2006 and 2008. He has represented all of the National youth selections for his homeland, Germany. He can play midfield or winger and should be a starter in his new team Young Boys.

3. Jacopo Ravasi: The Italian forward (nicknamed Luca Toni) will have to compensate for Luzern’s loss of Lustrinelli who left for rivals Bellinzona. The 21 year old previously played for FC Wil in the Challenge League scoring 6 goals in 15 games.

4. Henri Siqueira-Barras: European Champion with Switzerland’s Under-17 team in 2002, this central defender comes back to Switzerland after short spells in Romania and Cyprus. Son of a Swiss and a Brazilian, he might be the quality defender that will help Bellinzona in its task.

5. David Angel Abraham: World Champion in 2005 with Argentina’s Under-20 National Team the new Basel defender is filling up the gap left by the departure of Swedish giant Majstorovic. This tall central defender previously played for Independiente (2005-2007) and Gimnastic Tarragona (2007-2008).

6. Senad Lulic: This Bosnian forward has helped Bellinzona qualify for the Super League scoring 13 goals for the Ticino side. He has also scored two goals on his debut game for Grasshopper in their Intertoto win against KS Besa. A very fast and dangerous player he strengthens Grasshopper’s attack during this season.

In yesterday’s game FC Zurich narrowly defeated hosts Neuchatel Xamax in a very tight game. The first half was dominated by the guest team with several chances that were brilliantly stopped by young Xamax keeper Faivre. Yet Zurich took the lead through a deflected Hassli shot at the 34th minute. The first half ended 1-0.
Neuchatel Xamax came on the pitch with a different attitude and created several early chances and managed to draw at 48th minute through Besle, with some help from the Zurich defence that left 3 Xamax players in front of the keeper on the free kick.
Yet Neuchatel had no time to celebrate since less than a minute later Abdi found himself in front of Faivre and did not miss. Neuchatel squandered a series of chances, most of them parried by an excellent Leoni.
New Nati coach Hitzfeld with assitant Michel Pont were on the stands. My dear Ottmar, have you seen the quality of keeper Leoni? How about calling him for a game or two?

Neuchatel Xamax – FC Zurich 1-2 (0-1)
Maladière, 5328 spectators. Referee: Circhetta
34th Hassli 0-1, 48th Besle 1-1, 49th Abdi 1-2
Neuchatel Xamax: G.Faivre; Bah, Hodzic, Besle, Edjenguele (83′Steuble); Chihab; Taljevic; Rossi, Tosi (46′Niçoise), Szlykowicz; Joao Paulo (46′Brown)
FC Zurich: Leoni; Stahel, Barmettler, Tihinen (66′Lampi), Rochat (56′Stucki); Aegerter, Tico; Nikci, Abdi, Djuric (80′Mehmedi); Hassli

A surprise win for Vaduz

Newly promoted Liechtenstein side FC Vaduz surprisingly defeated Luzern in the latter’s home field. Heinz Hermann’s men managed to recover from the unlucky UEFA Cup first round defeat to Zrinjski Mostar. Gaspar opened the score at the 7th minute, only for Ravasi to draw at the 27th minute before Vaduz grabbed the winner through Fejzulahi two minutes later.

Luzern – Vaduz 1:2 (1:2)
Allmend. – 7822 Spectators – Referee: Rogalla.
7th Gaspar 0:1. 27th Ravasi 1:1. 29th Fejzulahi 1:2.
Luzern: Zibung; Zverotic (85. Paquito), Roland Schwegler, Diarra (59. Wiss), Claudio Lustenberger; Renggli, Seoane; Ferreira, Chiumiento, Mesbah (64. Schirinzi); Ravasi.
Vaduz: Sommer; Reinmann, Iten, Dzombic, Cerrone; Polverino; Bellon (61. Grossklaus), Mea Vitali, Fejzulahi, Fischer (91. Ritzberger); Gaspar

Grasshopper will play against Bellinzona on Wednesday the 23rd.

The transfer market has been very active and what follows will be a short review of the 10 teams that will fight for national (and european) glory!

FC Basel
One generally begins with the champions and thus I will follow suit.
Certainly the giants of Swiss football, the transfer market has been very interesting for the city on the Rhine. Despite losing Swedish linchpin Majstorovic to AEK Athens the arrival of talented Argentinian defender David Angel Abraham from Gimnastic Tarragona should be sufficient to strengthen the defence further. The president of Basel, Oeri, believes that this is the strongest team of this last decade and she expects the double victory (Championship and National Cup) together with qualifying for the Champions’ League group.
FC Basel can count on Switzerland’s greatest talents, Stocker and Derdiyok who will play at least another season in the Super League. The midfield has been strengthened with the arrivals of Gelabert and Gjasula from relegated St. Gallen. Certainly, coach Gross will have plenty of choices for the midfield considering he also has Australian veteran Chipperfield, young talent Fabian Frei, Australian Ivan Ergic and portuguese magic-maker Carlitos.
Due to Streller’s injury, Gross has asked his president to buy another striker. The new player is Eduardo Rubio Kostner on a one-year loan from Chilean First Division side Colo Colo.
Goalkeeper Costanzo is the new captain of a team where perhaps most goals will come from the talented midfield.

(players with no nationality in brackets are Swiss)

Basel 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Franco Costanzo (Argentina), Louis Crayton, Jason Leutwiler
Defenders: Ronny Hodel, Michel Morganella, David Angel Abraham (Argentina), Behrang Safari (Sweden), François Marque (France), Beg Ferati, Reto Zanni.
Midfielders: Marcos Agustin Gelabert (Argentina), Jurgen Gjasula (Germany), Benjamin Huggel, Marko Perovic (Serbia), Scott Chipperfield (Australia), Valentin Stocker, Fabian Frei, Ivan Ergic (Australia), Cabral, Daniel Unal, Carlitos (Portugal)
Forwards: Marco Streller, Eduardo (Brasil), Orhan Mustafi (Macedonia), Eren Derdiyok, Eduardo Rubio Kostner (Chile)

European Campaign: Basel will certainly defy IFK Goteborg in the second round of the Champions’ League (the Swedish side won the first leg against San Marino’s Murata 5-0) and if they win succeed, they will be a “tete de serie” in the final qualifying round (thus avoiding the BIG teams).

Young Boys Bern
Coach Martin Andermatt doesn’t believe that the departure of last year’s top scorer Hakan Yakin to Qatar will weaken the Bernese side. According to him now the players will have to be responsible for themselves and no longer count on the talent of the Nati midfielder. The transfer market hasn’t been an extraordinary one for Andermatt’s men but the return of Ivory Coast Doubai and the talent of Hochstrasser will give them the opportunity to make it harder for FC Basel. The most interesting arrivals are those of the talented German youngster Felix Bastians from Nottingham Forest who has played for all of the German National youth teams and might become a regular starter for the Swiss team and Brasilian Eudis from FC Zurich.

BSC Young Boys 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Marco Wolfli, Paolo Collaviti, Roman Burki
Defenders: Saif Ghezal (Tunisia), Aaron Liechti, Marc Schneider, Kamil Zayatte (France), Miguel Alfredo Portillo (Argentina), Christian Schwegler, Felix Bastians (Germany)
Midfielders: Baykal Kulaksizoglu, Yapo Gilles Yapi (Ivory Coast), Tapé Moussé Doubai (Ivory Coast), Mario Raimondi, Carlos Varela (Spain), Xavier Hochstrasser, Alberto Regazzoni, Sven Luscher
Forwards: Seydou Doumbia (Ivory Coast), Eudis (Brasil), Thomas Haberli, Lucien Dénervaud, Marco Schneuwly, Kwabena Asamoa Frimpong (Ghana)

FC Sion
The new coach Uli Stielike has an impressive palmarès: apart from being Swiss coach from 1989 to 1991, was runner-up at the 1982 World Cup as a player for Western Germany and has won the Spanish Championship and the UEFA Cup as a Real Madrid player. The international experience of this German coach will of great use to an FC Sion team that had higher expectations fuelled by the energy of president Costantin. FC Sion was also the team with the biggest deal of the season, French star Olivier Monterrubio from RC Lens. The other major transfer is that of midfielder Serey Die from Algerian side Sétif. However, the most interesting aspect will be whether the transfer of Egyptian star goalkeeper Essam El Hadary will prove to have been a useful one, the player has failed to convince up until now.

FC Sion’s 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Essam El Hadary (Egypt), Germano Vailati, Nicolas Beney
Defenders: Kali (Angola), Obinna Nwaneri (Nigeria), Stéphane Sarni (Italy), Jamal Alioui (France), Paito (Portugal), Vilmos Vanczak (Hungary), Bastien Geiger, Arnaud Buhler
Midfielders: Serey Die (Ivory Coast), Virgile Reset (France), Beto (Portugal), Olivier Monterrubio (France), Didier Crettenand, Jocelyn Ahoueya (Benin), Goran Obradovic (Serbia), Alvaro Jose Dominguez (Colombia), Michele Morganella, Kamil Grosicki (Poland), Damien Germanier, Julien Brellier (France), Florian Berisha
Forwards: Alvaro Alberto Saborio (Costa Rica), Saidu Alade Adeshina (Nigeria), M’Futi (Congo)

FC Zurich:
The injury of Yassine Chikahoui might be a decisive aspect that will affect FC Zurich’s season. Certainly Bernard Challandes’ most dangerous player, who was on the point of being transferred to big Bundesliga teams, he will certainly miss out the beginning of the Championship. The arrivals of youngsters Philippe Koch and Admir Mehmedi cannot compensate for the losses of Eudis (to Young Boys) and Orhan Mustafi to FC Basel. A very poor transfer market for this ambitious team who, nevertheless, can count on the solid performances of Finnish defender Tihinen, forward Alphonse and defender Stahel.

FC Zurich 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Johnny Leoni, Orlando Lattmann, Andrea Guatelli (Italy)
Defenders: Veli Lampi (Finland), Adan Jonathan Vergara (Chile), Florian Stahel, Daniel Stucki, Philippe Koch, Alain Rochat, Heinz Barmettler, Hannu Tihinen (Finland)
Midfielders: Oumar Kondé, Silvan Aegerter, Andre Javier Vasquez (Sweden), Onyekachi Donatus Okonkwo (Nigeria), Adrian Nicki, Dusan Predrag Djuric (Sweden), Yasin Chikahoui (Tunisia), Almen Abdi, Luca Ladner, Martin Buchel (Liechtenstein), Remo Staubli
Forwards: Emra Tahirovic (Sweden), Alexandre Alphonse (France), Silvio (Brasil), Admir Mehmedi (Serbia), Marco Schonbacher, Eric Hassli (France)

Grasshopper-Club Zurich
No big names are among Grasshopper’s summer transfer but certainly the two Challengue League Stars Lulic (Bellinzona) and Sabanovic (Wil) are two important players that will contribute to Grasshopper’s National and International campaign.
The other major signings are Davide Calla (from St. Gallen) and Massimo Colomba from Aarau. Grasshopper can count on a young and promising (albeit unexperienced) attack yet has some weaknesses for what concerns the goalkeeping.
Grasshopper will play the last round of the Intetoto against Bulgarian side Burgas.

Grasshoppers 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Eldin Jakupovic, Massimo Colomba
Defenders: Kay Voser, Scott Sutter, Guillermo Juan Vallori (Spain), Boris Smiljanic, Yassin Mikari, Fabio Daprela, Rolf Feltscher
Midfielders: Josip Colina, Senad Lulic (Bosnia), Davide Calla, Ricardo Cabanas, Rinaldo (Peru), Antonio Carlos Dos Santos (Brasil), Leonel Romero, Veroljub Salatic
Forwards: Demba Touré (Senegal), Gonzalo Eulogio Zarate (Argentina), Machado (Brasil), Samel Sabanovic (Serbia), Raul Marcelo Bobadilla (Argentina)

FC Luzern:
With former Swiss International Ciriaco Sforza as coach, Luzern can count on several promising young talents including the likes of Claudio Lustenberger, David Chiumiento and several experienced players like Gerardo Seoane and Michel Renggli. The only big loss is that of Swiss International forward Lustrinelli who left for Bellinzona. Will new arrival Goran Karanovic compensate for this loss?

FC Luzern 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: David Zibung, Swen Konig
Defenders: Roland Schwegler, Claudio Lustenberger, Christophe Lambert, Boubacar Diarra (France), Dusan Veskovac (Serbia), Elsad Zverotic (Serbia)
Midfielders: Michel Renggli, Gerardo Seoane, David Chiumiento, Djamel Mesbah (France), Nelson Ferreira (Portugal), Burim Kukeli (Serbia), Enrico Schirinzi (Italy), Alain Wiss, Paquito (Italy)
Forwards: Goran Karanovic, Jacopo Ravasi (Italy), Jean-Michel Tchouga (Cameroon), Janko Pacar

Neuchatel Xamax:
After a difficult season last year where the Neuchatel team almost faced relegation, the new season under Nestor Clausen hasn’t seen a great deal of transfers.
Biggest and most promising deal concerns Saudi legend Hussein Sulimani, who has been capped over 100 times for his homeland team. Will he be the first Saudi player to succeed in a European Championship? Only time will tell whether the Argentinian coach has made the right choice. Another promising new arrival is that of William Edjenguele who has been capped almost 60 times at Le Mans.
Other than the new arrivals Neuchatel can count on the talent of Argentinian forward Julio Hernan Rossi who has scored more than a 100 goals in the Swiss Championship, Moroccan midfielder Tariq Chihab and experienced defender Alexandre Quennoz.

Neuchatel Xamax 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Laurent Walthert, Guillaume Faivre, Luca Ferro (Italy)
Defenders: Ivan Alejandro Furios (Argentina), Mickael Facchinetti, Stéphane Besle (France), Alexandre Quennoz, Selver Hodzic, Pascal Jenny, Thierno Bah, William Edjenguele (France), Mike Gomes
Midfielders: Tariq Chihab (Morocco), Steven Lang, Rodrigo (Italy), Ifet Taljevic (Germany), Johnny Szlykowicz (France), Baye Ibrahima Niasse (Senegal), Raphael Nuzzolo, Richmond Rak, Stéphane Garcia, Sébastien Wutrich, Maxime Vuille, Mickael Niçoise (France)
Forwards: Joao Paulo (Brasil), Martin Steuble, Ideye Aide Brown (Nigeria), Matar Coly (Senegal), Julio Hernan Rossi (Argentina)

FC Aarau
Following an excellent 5th place in last year’s season will FC Aarau manage to cope with the rise of Bellinzona, Vaduz and Neuchatel Xamax and thus avoid relegation?
Perhaps the weakest team in the league following the loss of Gurkan Sermeter and Massimo Colomba, Aarau bought plenty of players from lower leagues and youth teams. Will this be sufficient in the new season?
Among the new entries keep your eyes open for Macedonian champion Ivan Pejčić who won the Macedonian championship with FK Rabotnički and defender Frédéric Schaub who comes from FC Wohlen and has played 35 games in last year’s Challenge League.
Polish coach Ryszard Komornicki can count on the experience of midfielder Daniel Tarone and the quality of Kosovar midfielder Kristian Nushi.

FC Aarau 2008-2009 Full Team:

Goalkeepers: Ivan Benito, Joel Mall, Sascha Studer
Defenders: Paulo Menezes (Brasil), Jonas Elmer, Mario Mutsch (Luxemburg), Frédéric Schaub, Giuseppe Rapisarda, Frédéric Page, Giuseppe Aquaro (Italy), Michael Ludascher
Midfielders: Carlinhos (Brasil), Sandro Burki, Kristian Nushi (Kosovo), Sergio Jose Bastida (Argentina), Daniel Tarone, Emir Sinanovic
Forwards: Francisco Gabriel Guerrero (Argentina), Christian Florin Ianu (Romania), Goran Antic, Patrick Alphonse Bengondo (Cameroon), Rogerio (Brasil)

AC Bellinzona
The only team from the Italian-speaking canton Ticino, Bellinzona can count on Lustrinelli’s goal. THe veteran striker has chosen to go back to his homeland and is, together with Sermeter from Aarau, Bellinzona’s biggest transfer. The losses of Lulic (who went to Grasshoppers) and Pouga (who went to Seville). The latter had scored 18 goals in the last season. Another promising transfer is that of Emanuele Di Zenzo from FC Sion. Bellinzona has plenty of Italian players because of the various friendship deals it has with Italian teams (including AS Roma).
Playing both the UEFA Cup (where it has won the first leg against an Armenian team) and the Super League might be a demanding task for Schallibaum’s men. Perhaps Lustrinelli on his own won’t be sufficient to achieve an extraordinary feat. This is Bellinzona’s first Super League season in 19 years!

AC Bellinzona 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Lorenzo Bucchi (Italy), Matteo Gritti (Italy)
Defenders: Davide Belotti (Italy), Henry Siqueira, Alessandro Mangiaratti, Angelo Raso (Italy), Giuseppe Miccolis (Italy), Iacopo La Rocca (Italy)
Midfielders: Alessio Ferrazza (Italy), Gurkan Sermeter, Andrea Conti (Italy), Shkelzen Gashi, Adewale Dauda Wahab (Niger), Genc Mehmeti, Rivera, Emanuele Di Zenzo
Forwards: Neri (Brasil), Mauro Lustrinelli, Jocelyn Roux

FC Vaduz
The Liechtenstein team knows that in no way it can win the Super League. Even if it does win it, not being a Swiss team, it can only aim for a UEFA Cup berth, will this knowledge discourage the players?
A very active team on the market, Vaduz has signed Swiss defender Damian Bellon from Aston Villa and Venezuelan midfielder Miguel Mea Vitali from Maracaibo (who has played over 70 games for his national team).
Heinz Hermann’s team can count on the quality of young keeper Yann Sommer, forward Gaspar and defender Dzombic.

FC Vaduz 2008-2009 FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer, Gabriel Wuthrich, Orkan Avci (UK)
Defenders: Diren Akdemir, Stefan Iten, Thomas Reinmann, Damir Dzombic, Marco Ritzberger (Liechtenstein), Pascal Cerrone
Midfielders: Mea Vitali (Venezuela), Damian Bellon, Sehar Fejzulahi, Christian Wieczorek (Germany), Michele Polverino (Liechtenstein), Bruno Sutter
Forwards: Gaspar (Brasil), Tim Grossklaus (Germany), Willian Saroa (Brasil), Maxi (Argentina), Benjamin Fischer (Liechtenstein)

Predictions
What will the final standings be? Below you’ll find my predictions.

1. FC Basel (Champions’ League)
2. FC Sion (UEFA Cup)
3. Young Boys (UEFA Cup)
4. FC Zurich (Intertoto)
5. Grasshopper Club
6. Neuchatel Xamax
7. AC Bellinzona
8. FC Luzern
9. FC Vaduz (Playoff with a ChL team)
10. FC Aarau (Relegated)

On 20min.ch, German-speaking Swiss people were asked to select who would win the Championship.
Here are the results:
1. FC Basel (1079 votes)
2. FC Aarau (527) this must be a joke
3. Young Boys (393)
4. FC Zurich (325)
5. Grasshopper (317)
6. FC Sion (192)
7. FC Luzern (181)
8. AC Bellinzona (53)
9. FC Vaduz (52)
10. Neuchatel Xamax (34)