Benjamin Huggel
Encyclopedia
Benjamin "Beni" Huggel is a Swiss
international
footballer
who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel
in the Swiss Super League
. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.
, ten minutes from Basel and close to the borders of France and Germany. He has a younger brother. Their parents are both teachers and his mother is a well known local politician. Huggel completed his apprenticeship
as Landsape Gardener before he became professional footballer.
Huggel began his youth football with local club FC Münchenstein. He was loaned out to FC Arlesheim for two years, before completing his move to FC Basel
in 1998. In his first year in Basel, under Manager Guy Mathez
, he was solely a reserve player, but then under Manager Christian Gross
he advanced into the starting team. Huggel enjoyed his best campaign in 2000–01 when he scored eight goals in 29 league games from the centre of midfield.
He first rose to prominence with his displays for FC Basel during their Champions League
run in the 2002–03 season. A series of injuries had badly hampered his progress and the midfielder struggled in the face of stiff competition to win his way back into the side. However he did play as Basel knocked Liverpool
out of the Champions League in 2002. In 2003–04, he had another successful season, scoring eight times in 32 games as Basel won the Swiss title
back from Grasshopper-Club Zürich
.
In 2005, Huggel moved to German club Eintracht Frankfurt
. In June 2007 Eintracht revealed that Huggel was transferred for an estimated fee of €400,000 back to his old club, FC Basel.
Following Huggels return to his originating Club, they won the Swiss Championship in the years 2008, 2010, 2011 and the cup 2008, 2010
.
He has been an almost constant fixture in the centre of midfield for FC Basel in their domestic and European encounters, recently scoring in a Champions League group game against Benfica on the 2nd November 2011.
. However, he also appeared in Switzerland's final two matches in the Euro 2004 qualification campaign – a 4–1 defeat to Russia
and 2–0 victory over the Republic of Ireland
.
He appeared in all three of Switzerland's Euro 2004 matches. However he was unable to prevent the Swiss having a disappointing tournament – they were eliminated at the group stage following defeats to France and England
and a draw with Croatia
.
However, Huggel did not start in any Switzerland's qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup
. He also missed the tournament after receiving a six-game ban for kicking a Turkish
trainer after his nation's play-off victory over Turkey
.
He was included in the squad to play at Euro 2008 and was in the squad for the 2010 World Cup.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
international
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who plays as a midfielder for FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
. He is known to be a tall, strong and a fearless fighter in the centre of the pitch.
Early life
Huggel grew up and went to School in suburban MünchensteinMünchenstein
Münchenstein is a municipality in the district of Arlesheim in the canton of Basel-Landschaft in Switzerland.-Historical records:Münchenstein is first mentioned in 1196 as Kekingen. In 1270 it was mentioned as Geckingen and in 1279 as Munchenstein.* 1259: The hamlet and the mill, between "Neue...
, ten minutes from Basel and close to the borders of France and Germany. He has a younger brother. Their parents are both teachers and his mother is a well known local politician. Huggel completed his apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
as Landsape Gardener before he became professional footballer.
Club career
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in 1998. In his first year in Basel, under Manager Guy Mathez
Guy Mathez
Guy Mathez is a Swiss football manager. He comes from Canton of Jura. Amongst others, he coached Servette FC from 1982 until 1985 and FC Basel from 1997 until 1999.-References:...
, he was solely a reserve player, but then under Manager Christian Gross
Christian Gross
Christian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
he advanced into the starting team. Huggel enjoyed his best campaign in 2000–01 when he scored eight goals in 29 league games from the centre of midfield.
He first rose to prominence with his displays for FC Basel during their Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
run in the 2002–03 season. A series of injuries had badly hampered his progress and the midfielder struggled in the face of stiff competition to win his way back into the side. However he did play as Basel knocked Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
out of the Champions League in 2002. In 2003–04, he had another successful season, scoring eight times in 32 games as Basel won the Swiss title
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
back from Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
.
In 2005, Huggel moved to German club Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
. In June 2007 Eintracht revealed that Huggel was transferred for an estimated fee of €400,000 back to his old club, FC Basel.
Following Huggels return to his originating Club, they won the Swiss Championship in the years 2008, 2010, 2011 and the cup 2008, 2010
2009–10 Swiss Cup
The 2009–10 Swiss Cup was the 85th season of Switzerland's annual football cup competition. It began on 17 September with the first game of Round 1 and ended on 9 May 2010 with the Final held at St. Jakob-Park, Basel. The competition was won by FC Basel, who defeated second-level side...
.
He has been an almost constant fixture in the centre of midfield for FC Basel in their domestic and European encounters, recently scoring in a Champions League group game against Benfica on the 2nd November 2011.
International career
Huggel had a tough introduction to international football in August 2003 as the Swiss lost 2–0 against FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. However, he also appeared in Switzerland's final two matches in the Euro 2004 qualification campaign – a 4–1 defeat to Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
and 2–0 victory over the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
He appeared in all three of Switzerland's Euro 2004 matches. However he was unable to prevent the Swiss having a disappointing tournament – they were eliminated at the group stage following defeats to France and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and a draw with Croatia
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
.
However, Huggel did not start in any Switzerland's qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. He also missed the tournament after receiving a six-game ban for kicking a Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
trainer after his nation's play-off victory over Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
.
He was included in the squad to play at Euro 2008 and was in the squad for the 2010 World Cup.
Titels and Honours
Basel- Swiss CupSchweizer CupThe Swiss Cup is a football cup tournament that has been organised annually since 1926 by the Swiss Football Association . The winner is allowed to take part in the UEFA Europa League. Between 2003 and 2008 the cup has been sponsored and known as the Swisscom Cup.-Finals:All played...
: 2002, 2003, 2008, 20102009–10 Swiss CupThe 2009–10 Swiss Cup was the 85th season of Switzerland's annual football cup competition. It began on 17 September with the first game of Round 1 and ended on 9 May 2010 with the Final held at St. Jakob-Park, Basel. The competition was won by FC Basel, who defeated second-level side... - Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 - Uhrencup WinnerUhrencupThe Uhrencup is a club football tournament, held annually in Switzerland.The tournament usually features four teams , each playing two matches, and is held in July at Stadion Brühl in Grenchen. As a friendly tournament, the format tends to be fluid...
: 2003, 2008, 2011
Eintracht Frankfurt
- German CupDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
Runner Up: 2006