Dutch to play on 'home turf' as Basel replaces pitch

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) — They say the grass is always greener on the other side, well the St Jakob Park stadium in Basel has taken that one step further.

After heavy rainfall rendered their pitch akin to a soggy potato patch they've decided to take drastic action by replacing every blade of grass with new turf from Holland in time for Wednesday's quarter-final.

A convoy of 26 refrigerated lorries has transported the green stuff from the Netherlands to be laid on Monday morning with 'Operation New Carpet' scheduled to be completed by Tuesday midday.

Three matches are still due to be played at the stadium -- Wednesday's last eight clash between Portugal and Group B runners-up followed by another quarter-final on June 21 between the Dutch and Group D...