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Played
September 14, 2011 7:45 PM BST
St. Jakob-Park — Basel
Referee: W. Collum
Attendance: 30126
September 14, 2011 7:45 PM BST
St. Jakob-Park — Basel
Referee: W. Collum
Attendance: 30126
Basel 2-1 Otelul Galati: Late penalty from Alexander Frei sets hosts on their way in Champions League
The visitors, making their first appearance in the tournament, could not hold on for a share of the spoils as a late penalty kick doomed their chances of earning a result
By Roger Gonzalez
Basel scored on both sides of half time to defeat Otelul Galati 2-1 in the Champions League Group C opening fixture at St Jakob-Park.
Fabian Frei put his side up five minutes before the break, only to see Marius Pena level the scoreline from close in the second half. But Alexander Frei earned the victory from the penalty spot, converting with a cool, quick finish, five minutes from time.
The Swiss club dominated possession in the first half, but the visitors were more active, attacking on the counter. The Romanian champions only managed to test Yann Sommer twice in the first 35 minutes despite several more decent efforts that went wide.
Basel failed to demonstrate their quality with the ball moving forward, only testing the visiting defence once in the first half, playing patiently and waiting for the right time to go on the counter as Dorinel Munteanu's men attacked with numbers.
As the 0-0 scoreline looked certain entering the break, the younger Frei gave his side the advantage six minutes from the interval.
Marco Streller, marching towards goal after a throw in from Markus Steinhofer led him into space, cut back on the side of the box before sending in a swift cross that Frei managed to head home with power to the right of the goal, leaving Branko Grahovac as a spectator.

Not such small Frei | Fabian Frei, the younger, opened the scoring in Switzerland
Pena canceled out Frei's header nearly 15 minutes into the second half after Liviu Antal's shot was saved by a diving Sommer, allowing the striker to clean up the leftovers with ease to level the scoreline.
Then, nearly five minutes from time, Adrian Salageanu brought down Stellar in the box and was shown a red card, allowing Alexander Frei to convert the spot kick and start the celebration.
With the victory, Basel sit in first place with three points, while Otelul are in last place as Benfica and Manchester United tied 1-1 on Wednesday.
Fabian Frei put his side up five minutes before the break, only to see Marius Pena level the scoreline from close in the second half. But Alexander Frei earned the victory from the penalty spot, converting with a cool, quick finish, five minutes from time.
The Swiss club dominated possession in the first half, but the visitors were more active, attacking on the counter. The Romanian champions only managed to test Yann Sommer twice in the first 35 minutes despite several more decent efforts that went wide.
Basel failed to demonstrate their quality with the ball moving forward, only testing the visiting defence once in the first half, playing patiently and waiting for the right time to go on the counter as Dorinel Munteanu's men attacked with numbers.
As the 0-0 scoreline looked certain entering the break, the younger Frei gave his side the advantage six minutes from the interval.
Marco Streller, marching towards goal after a throw in from Markus Steinhofer led him into space, cut back on the side of the box before sending in a swift cross that Frei managed to head home with power to the right of the goal, leaving Branko Grahovac as a spectator.

Not such small Frei | Fabian Frei, the younger, opened the scoring in Switzerland
Pena canceled out Frei's header nearly 15 minutes into the second half after Liviu Antal's shot was saved by a diving Sommer, allowing the striker to clean up the leftovers with ease to level the scoreline.
Then, nearly five minutes from time, Adrian Salageanu brought down Stellar in the box and was shown a red card, allowing Alexander Frei to convert the spot kick and start the celebration.
With the victory, Basel sit in first place with three points, while Otelul are in last place as Benfica and Manchester United tied 1-1 on Wednesday.
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