Basel 3 - 1 Nykarleby (393084647)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 853 at joggeli today. Henrique Ozores was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Marko Tarkkila and Valère Creusot. Basel decided to use a 3-4-3 set up. The following players had been chosen: Gebel - Profil, Burgunder, Bell - Stager, Polasik, Beringe, Tenucci - Chiarini, Ruiz-Jarabo, Yiantsios.

Nykarleby tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Starters: Wardaszko - Ðuričić, Vasilenok, Haeussler - Lindell, Avín, Hallik, Ahmari, Rustad - De Luca, Knutars.

Basel mostly ignored the flanks in favour of their ability to attack in the middle. Basel players heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their wing attacks to the middle instead. They were singing the praises of H. Beringe 12 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 1 - 0 to Basel. Nykarleby's M. Ðuričić was shown a yellow card after 14 minutes for slicing down an opponent. The visiting team's M. Rustad was able to score the 1 - 1 equaliser with a header 30 minutes into the match, after some good work on the right. The home side put themselves ahead 2 - 1 after 32 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from A. Chiarini, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. It was 2 - 1 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to Nykarleby, who controlled the ball 54 percent of the time.

A. Bell left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 46 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. Y. Munk was the replacement. A. Profil caused mayhem in his own defensive line with some mad dribbles within his own penalty zone, but Nykarleby's M. Rustad's shot went just wide. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Basel's A. Chiarini increasing the lead to 3 - 1. With 80 minutes played, Y. Munk of Basel fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. Basel had to make a substitution after 87 minutes. U. Burgunder limped off the field and was replaced by C. Kram. Given a free kick in a difficult position after 88 minutes, Basel tried a variation that they had practised in training. The kick was sent into the area just in front of the keeper. However, the defence were on their toes and allowed no space for a finish. After 88 minutes a well-practised indirect free kick routine by Basel was easily anticipated by the defenders. The players forward were so well marked, they were left with few viable options. The visitors got a chance to pulling one back after 89 minutes, due to a defensive blunder leaving D. De Luca completely unmarked. His strike was pathetic though, easy prey for the home side's keeper. Nykarleby enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 51 percent of possession.

Basel's top performer was clearly A. Chiarini. A. Stager turned in a dismal performance, however. D. De Luca performed admirably for Nykarleby. M. Ðuričić was a disappointment, however. The match ends 3 - 1.