Swiss sports fans had extra reason to rejoice after their Alinghi team completed a successful defence of the America's Cup in Valencia, with the country's most traditional football tournament, the Uhrencup, kicking off in Grenchen.
To cap off a day of Swiss achievement, FC Basel brushed off the challenge of Red Bull Salzburg in the Brühl stadium with a 3-1 victory. Salzburg were forced to find solace in Alex's 83rd minute consolation from the penalty spot.
Red Bull Salzburg started with the following line-up against Sporting Director Oliver Kreuzer's former club: Ochs; Dudic, Meyer, Sekagya, Alex; Pitak, Carboni, Kovac, Aufhauser; Jezek; Zickler.
The Bulls were therefore without the injury-stricken Vonlanthen, Janocko, Lokvenc, Bodnar and Janko who all had to make do with a prolonged session on the treatment table rather than a trip across the Alps.
The first slice of goalmouth action came after seven minutes: Jezek sets up Zickler superbly but the German had strayed whiskers offside and gets held back.
11 minutes: Danger in the Salzburg penalty area is cleared in comical circumstances as Timo Ochs and Marco Streller both take a tumble onto the wet floor and miss the ball. The rain has been lashing down since the teams kicked off but the skies went on to clear a tad as the match progressed.
Three minutes later and the Bulls record their first shot: Caroni takes aim from 25 yards and picks out Basel goalkeeper Crayton perfectly.
20 minute: Awesome play from Salzburg as Jezek threads a spectacular lob over the defence and through to Pitak who strives to send the ball over Crayton, but the Czech's effort is in vain.
Basel then race down to the other end and gain a lead they just about deserve courtesy of Fabian Frei (21 mins).
25 minute: Jezek plays Zickler in again but Crayton is equal to it.
26 minutes: Kovac's free-kick flies over.
31 minute: Basel waste a superb chance! Zanni gains the ball on the edge of the area and is left unattended by the Salzburg defence but can only heave it over.
One minute later: Jezek dances his way magnificently past two opponents with almost total ease but is also off target, narrowly wide of the right post.
38 minutes: An Alex pass homes in on Pitak but the midfielder gets to the ball to late, fails to make proper contact and thus allows Crayton to save.
Just before the break Zickler crashes into the Basel goalkeeper and both men are struck to the ground for a while but are eventually able to continue.
Half-time: Basel have a 1-0 lead. To summarise, the Swiss eleven barged themselves into an early period of dominance but the Bulls came back well after conceding and started to take charge of the game.
There's bad news to report from the RBS dressing room: Zickler's injury is worse than was originally suspected and the captain is left nursing a seriously bruised shin and awaiting an x-ray while Vujic takes his place on the pitch.
For the first 15 minutes of the second half there were really no impelling chances of note for either outfit but there is plenty of muscle being aggressively wielded out there despite a renewed downpour.
60 minutes: Basel finally fashion another chance through Stocker, who storms through the defence on the left and shoots instantly. Ochs denies him with a fantastic save.
62 minutes: Substitution for Red Bull Salzburg. Jezek leaves the field after a strong showing and on comes Steinhöfer.
66 minutes: RBS make their next change as Kovac departs for Leitgeb.
71 minutes: Basel get a second goal (2-0)! A mix-up between Sekagya and Dudic gifts Stocker the ball and the Basel man crosses to the centre where Eduardo simply has to nod the ball over the line.
Leitgeb fancies his chances from a good 20 yards out three minutes later but fails to trouble Crayton.
76 minutes: Substitution number three for the Bulls as Miyamoto replaces Dudic.
79 minutes: 3-0 to Basel! Stocker and Eduardo embarrass the Salzburg defence once again and Eduardo gives Ochs no chance with a fierce shot.
83 minutes: The Bulls get on the scoresheet! Crayton fouls Pitak in the area giving Alex the opportunity to safely deposit a spot-kick. It's 3-1 but Pitak is forced off the field with an ankle strain and is replaced by Sonko Pa.
The last few minutes are devoid of goalmouth action and FC Basel complete a 3-1 win.
The Bulls now have a day of rest in Switzerland before facing their next opponents, FC Young Boys Bern on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Thorsten FINK: "We didn't play too bad and certainly had our chances. It's best if we lose now so we can examine our mistakes and find a remedy by the time the league starts. The injury to Alex Zickler is a big blow; particularly given Lokvenc is also injured. We'll be crossing our fingers that he is fit again soon."
