Basel is a town well insulated against delirium. Its charms are many but discreet. Its history is mossed with elegant tradition and refined foreign influences. Its soccer culture is a quiet and separate thing. Nobody then is on tenterhooks about the outcome of today's final European championship qualifier between Ireland and Switzerland.
It may be a cliffhanger finish, but the Swiss regard football as a very modest cliff.
Nothing raucous or noisy then but then nobody expected marching bands. Going into this evening three teams from Group 10 stand a chance of going to the European finals in Portugal.
The team who finish up leading the group advance automatically, the second placed team advance to a play-off. Switzerland, as group leaders and the home team this evening, are slight favourites to qualify. They are a point ahead of both Russia and Ireland. Russia play Georgia in Moscow at the same time as Ireland and Switzerland kick off.
For the Irish, finishing on the same number of points as Russia is of no value, however. Russia have a better goal difference and a better record in head-to-head meetings with Ireland.
In short, the permutations are many and the hedge against disaster is primitive: Each of the three teams must play to win.
Brian Kerr, the Irish manager, appreciates that it could be a long, long day and the settlement time may be closer to the final whistle than is comfortable for some. Nails will be chewed to the quick.
"We have a little knack for scoring crucial goals late in the game. In qualifying, especially against Albania, and in a few friendlies we have done it. It's something the lads have carried over from the World Cup last year. We have the confidence to keep playing, we know that if we do the right things we will get our reward."
The Irish team have no injury worries but midfielder Matt Holland stayed in bed yesterday with a cold. The countdown has been serene and dignified. Appreciation of just what is at stake is slowly coming, however. Don't abandon hope. There could still be a hot time in the old town tonight.