Basel, Switzerland, 1979

May 16th, 1979, I found myself in Basel Switzerland, joining another 30,000 Barça fans to watch FC Barcelona of Spain and Fortuna Dusseldorf of West Germany. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners’ Cup 1978 -79 and the 19th European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. The final was held at St. Jakob Stadium in Basel, Switzerland. Many went by air, bus, and train. I personally went by bus. It was an interesting and long trip from Barcelona to Switzerland.

Got my glasses on to see the game better in this pic.

The game was an unusual final, in part because of the number of goals scored (4-3). Four came in the first half alone (2-2), though the scoreboard stayed the same throughout a rather dull second half. Then in extra-time the Catalans once more went ahead through a goal by Rexach after some spectacular play by Carrasco, followed by another from Krankl, who that season was also top scorer in the League. In spite of some anxious moments after the Germans pulled one back in the dying moments of the game, Barça managed to hold onto their lead.

Barcelona won the match 4-3 thanks to goals by José Vicente Sánchez, Juan Manuel Asensi, Hans Krankl and Carles Rexach.