Emotions overflow for proud Basel

Basel manager Heiko Vogel could not contain his emotions after his side upset Manchester United 2-1 in the Champions League.

Vogel’s side stunned last season’s finalists with a victory that not only sent them through to the last 16, but also knocked the Premier League giants out of the competition.

The only way Basel could have progressed was with a win, and that they did, with goals from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei sealing the famous triumph.

“The story of this game is told quickly: David beat Goliath,” Vogel told UEFA’s official website.

“Yes, I had tears in my eyes. With the full-time whistle, all the weight was lifted from my shoulders. It will probably take until 2017 until I completely realise (the magnitude of this).”

“There is boundless joy, the pride I feel is at its maximum. Not only did we win 2-1, it was the way we won. Especially in the second half, the daring way we played.”

“I’d expected Manchester to attack, to throw everything at us one more time, but the way we resisted them was sensational.”

Vogel also thought his side could have played slightly better, in an ominous sign to the 15 other sides who will compete in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Basel goalkeeper Yann Sommer was also delighted with his side’s surprising progression.

“It’s crazy,” Sommer told Sky Sports. “We beat Manchester United at home. It was our last chance to go through.”

“What can I say? It’s incredible. We’re a Swiss team in a little country against one of the biggest teams in the world. We believe in ourselves. We fought until the end, this was the key.”

Basel will find out who their opponents will be in the next stage of the Champions League when the draw is announced on December 16.