Last season's top scorer André Sitek moved on to score his goals for Locarno, another goal scorer Frédéric Chassot returned to Neuchâtel Xamax after his loan period had expired and defender Dirk Lellek transferred to VfB Oldenburg.

The midfield was stregthend with the signings of Mario Cantaluppi from Grasshopper Club, Sergei Derkach from Dynamo Moscow and Didier Gigon from Lausanne-Sport.

More notable transfers were those of Swiss international strikers Dario Zuffi and Philippe Hertig who both came from Lugano.

[2] A number of youngsters were brought up from the youth team including the hopeful local lads Markus Lichtsteiner and Roger Schreiber.

[1] After missing promotion during the last five seasons, the club's repeated priority aim was to return to the top flight of Swiss football.

Basel were assigned to the Nationalliga B West group, together with local rivals Old Boys and SR Delémont.

In the 18 games, Basel recorded 12 victories, one draw and five defeats with a goal difference of plus 25, 39 scored and 14 conceded.

To help with their promotion attempt Axel Kruse was signed in on loan from VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season, but because of injuries he only played three league games.

Basel's start in the phase of a somewhat slow stance and three draws in the first four matches and despite an away defeat against Xamax in round six they played well at the top of the group table.

The semi-final also gave Basel a home game against Schaffhausen, who had suffered a 3–0 defeat here exactly two weeks earlier.

Keeper Hürzeler then held Tabakovic's attempt and so Steffen Ziffert's final penalty gave Schaffhausen the upset.

[7] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.