Switzerland 0 - 1 Czech Republic
Sverkos 71 (C)
Basel, Switzerland
The Czech Republic got their Euro 2008 campaign off to the best of starts with a 1-0 win over hosts Switzerland. A second half goal by substitute Vaclav Sverkos netted his side the three points which, in all honesty, they were perhaps fortunate to gain. Switzerland, who were much more lively in front of goal, will now need something special to progress to the knock-out stages.
The Czechs lined up with the towering Jan Koller leading the line and without Milan Baros who was benched. The Swiss responded with a 4-4-2 which included Tranquillo Barnetta after his ankle problem was resolved in the week, as well as Patrick Muller – despite the fact that he basically missed all of last season at Lyon with a knee injury.
Those expecting the Czech Republic to dominate proceedings, given their superior ability, were caught out as they posed no threat real threat in the opening exchanges. Although they retained possession for long periods, they did nothing of any real note in the attacking third. Switzerland, on the other hand, did keep Petr Cech busy.
In fact, the first 45 minutes was basically the Alexander Frei versus Petr Cech show as the two caught the eye. The big Borussia Dortmund striker took just three minutes to have his first attempt on goal, but the ball drifted wide of the goalkeeper’s post.
On 16 minutes, the Chelsea No 1 was forced into action when Frei – who ignored Valon Behrami who was free to his right – had an ambitious effort from 25 yards. Cech then saved with his feet from Frei just five minutes later.
Frei, the host’s standout player in the first half along with Lazio’s Behrami and left-back Ludovic Magnin, didn’t miss any opportunity to shoot and his wildest effort arrived in the 36th minute. In a central position, 30 yards out, he blasted towards goal. Cech found it too hot to handle but as the ball fell to another Swiss player, the flag went up for offside.
The first half ended without any goals but it did conclude with a sucker punch for the Swiss. Frei jarred his knee in a challenge and was forced off. As he hobbled away, he couldn’t hold back the tears and his tournament could already be over. Hakan Yakin replaced him.
The latter, a fantasista now playing at Young Boys, quickly settled and went close to getting the first goal of the tournament in minute 50. Having won a free-kick on the edge of the box, he lifted the resulting set-piece over the wall but also just over the crossbar.
The half-time oranges did little to revitalise the Czechs and boss Karel Bruckner decided to freshen up his attack by replacing the sluggish Koller with Sverkos. But it was arguably Koller who they needed in the box on the hour as a dangerous Marek Jankulovski cross missed everyone as the St Jakob crowd, who were treated to an unforgettable opening ceremony – for the wrong reasons, held their breath.
Barnetta and Jankulovski exchanged efforts as the game seemed to go up a gear, before Yakin wasted a golden opportunity. As the veteran rose freely inside the box to head down towards the far post, he didn’t even force Cech into a save as the ball finished up against the advertising boards.
That proved to be a costly miss as the Czechs scored with their first shot on goal. A header looped over the advancing Swiss rearguard which found the onside Sverkos with just the 'keeper to beat. The substitute, winning just his third cap, swiped in his first ever goal with the help of his shinpad.
Coach Kobi Kuhn immediately played his Johan Vonlanthen card and it almost proved to be a masterstroke. A Barnetta strike was impressively saved by Cech in the 80th minute, but the rebound fell straight to the youngster who, from close range, struck the bar.
Switzerland pressed for an equaliser and had a late penalty appeal turned down, but it ended 1-0. They’ll now face Turkey on June 11, while the Czechs face Portugal on the same evening.
Switzerland: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner (Vonlanthen 75), Mueller, Senderos, Magnin; Barnetta, Inler, Fernandes, Behrami (Derdiyok 83); Frei (Hakan Yakin 46), Streller
Czech Republic: Cech; Grygera, Ujfalusi, Rozehnal, Jankulovski; Plasil, Polak, Jarolim (Kovac 87), Galasek, Sionko (Vlcek 83); Koller (Sverkos 56)
Ref: Rosetti (Ita)
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