Eight championship titles in a row, twelve titles since the turn of the millennium - FC Basel is the great dominator of recent Swiss football history. Only FC Zurich, with titles in 2006, 2007 and 2009, was able to put a temporary stop to FCB's supremacy.
Since 2009, however, Basel have been unstoppable. Every year, the competition raised hopes that the league king would finally fall. Every year, these hopes vanished into thin air at some point, with FCB coming out on top in the end. Most recently with a fabulous lead of 17 points over second-placed YB.
And yet: this year, the competition is sensing an opportunity like never before. The reason: the upheaval at FCB during the summer break is big, very big. There is a new president in Bernhard Burgener, a new head of sport in Marco Streller and a new coach in Raphael Wicky.
Even if YB coach Adi Hütter cannot be elicited a concrete goal for the season at the start of training, the Austrian says: "We are starting from scratch again. The decisive factor will be how we get off to a good start." And this start is a tough one. The team from Bern will be hosting... That's right: FC Basel.
As a reminder: Last season, YB defeated FCB twice at home in the Stade de Suisse. If the Young Boys do the same at the start of the Super League on July 22, the season will be off to a flying start.
One day later, the second treat is on the program: GC and promoted FCZ meet for the Zurich derby after a one-year absence. Football heart, what more could you want?
SUPER LEAGUE SEASON
July/September 2017, Wankdorf Bern
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