FC Basel 1893 are going to the knockout round!

I wonder if they are speaking Basel Duetsch?

They are the first Swiss team to ever make it this far in Champions League.

Yesterday's match was not full of scintillating play, Shaqiri for Basel, and Nani for Man U were the best players on the pitch.  But Basel took advantage of a seriously struggling Man U back four and played extremely well up front (Streller/Frei/Shaqiri).  Also, Basel's not particularly overwhelmingly talented back four played well, and composed, on their own.

(The video above is from when FC Basel won their league last May, not last night!)

Obv, Man U supporters will bemoan their injury problems, but that is sour grapes.  The Red Devils still had superior talent on the pitch yesterday and yet were outclassed, out coached, and plain beaten.

Both FC Basel and Man U will have draws next Friday to determine their next European opponents.  But Basel's will be for the Champions League and Man U's for Europa.

What a joy it is for Basel, to have its finest European moment ever to come at St Jakob Park at the expense of Man U! I imagine Roger Federer is beside himself with pride today, too.  He is from Basel and one of RotBlau's biggest supporters.

(Plus, I do not how they did it, but little Viktoria Plzen finished third in their group and will go to Europa themselves, which is a major accomplishment, as well!)