Ground Report’s Exclusive Coverage of Euro 2008:
By Daniel Yoon
Co-hosts Switzerland faced off against Central European rivals Czech Republic this weekend in the beginning of a month-long tournament of European football heavyweights. Portugal and Turkey followed later in the evening.
The Czech Republic frustrated a skillful Swiss team 1-0 on Saturday, while Portugal took a deserved 2-0 win over Turkey. Portugal sit atop Group A early with the Czechs, while Switzerland’s possibilities of advancing into the knockout stage further came into question with the loss of captain and leading goal-scorer Alexandr Frei to injury. Frei left the game late in the first half in tears, after being knocked out by mid-fielder Zdenek Grygera. The Swiss team doctor later confirmed that Frei will be out for six to eight weeks after partially tearing ligaments in his left knee.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese outplayed their Turkish opponents in their late-night fixture in Geneva, though they did not score until halfway through the second half, and then only with a touch of brilliance from Pepe. Substitute midfielder Raul Meireles sealed the victory deep into second half injury time.
Euro 2008 will continue in the Central European Alps throughout June, with sixteen of the continent’s top countries battling for the much coveted title as best in Europe. Greece took the prize trophy in 2004 against hosts Portugal.
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