Switzerland is a wealthy country, but their famous club Basel is going broke - so they must win tonight
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 18.05.23. | 14:57
FC Basel has debts of $33 million and must win the Europa Conference League to avoid a fire sale
Too many things revolve around money, we already know it. And in football, finances often dictate how a team will play. In the modern game, accountants have a bigger say than the coaches. Just look at FC Basel.
The historic Swiss club, which won 20 national titles and played three times in the UEFA Champions League knock-out stage, is facing an uncertain future. The famous club is pressed by debt, which is currently at an all-time high of around $33 million. Income is needed, and it can get from two places: selling players or prize money.
Tonight, Basel have a historic chance to become the first Swiss club to reach a European competition final. Fiorentina is the opponent at St Jakob-Park and the chances are there, especially after the shock 2-1 win in the first leg in Florence. But besides the sporting motives, the Swiss are hoping for the big jackpot on prize money. Namely, if they reach the final, the club will earn around $3.5 million. And if they go all the way and lift the trophy, they'd receive another $2.25 million on top of the $10 million they've earned already this season for reaching the semi-final.
The winners of the Europa Conference League automatically get a place in next season's Europa League, the competition where prizes are bigger. And since Basel won't book a place in the UEL based on the performances in the Swiss Super League, lifting the Europa Conference League is the only way to reach the next level and avoid having to sell players to manage the debt.
Historic day for Swiss football and the whole city of Basel: FCB takes on AC Fiorentina in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal🇨ðŸ‡ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡º
— Bolzplazz Swiss Football Platform (@Bolzplazz) May 18, 2023
Basel is just one step away of becoming the 1st Swiss team ever to reach a European final! 🌟 #rotblaulive pic.twitter.com/vhhPjBWLVw
FC Basel shareholder, former player and board member David Degen warned that 2023 will be the most challenging year in the club's history. Last year, they only survived thanks to sales of Arthur Cabral, ironically to Fiorentina, and Edon Zhegrova to Lille for a combined fee of $24 million. This time around, the pool of players to sell is smaller. So there isn't much choice but to win.
UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Semifinal, first leg
Thursday
22.00: (2.70) AZ Alkmaar (3.30) West Ham (2.85) /first leg 1-2/
22.00: (5.00) Basel (4.20) Fiorentina (1.65) /first leg 2-1/
***odds are subject to change
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