day 1

Really boring game to kick-off the tournament. Not that there were any great things expected from the Swiss and the Czechs who are missing their most exciting and entertaining player Rosicky.

I fell asleep 10 minutes into the first half. Woke up around the 40 minute mark only to see the disaster of Swiss captain and talisman Alexander Frei limp off the field in tears. I think his Euro 2008 is over. Really sad.

To be fair to the Swiss, they played better in the 2nd half and were distinctly unlucky with a couple of referee non-decisions of what seemed like handball fouls in the penalty area by Czech defenders.
An opportunistic (seemed a tad offside too) strike around the 70 minute mark sealed the deal in this game.

1-0 Fulltime. I dont think neither of these teams deserve to advance to the QF based on this result. They were dire.

Portugal x Turkey

This game promised more, and by and large delivered it. There was much more talent on display including the "world's best" Ronaldo. Portugal lined up in their usual 2-7-1 formation full of midlfielders and passers. Cristiano hit the post from freekick early in the 1st half. And Pepe had a goal ruled offside.
20 minutes of this game had more action than all of the SWI x CZE game!
Turkey looked dangerous on the counter-attacks and shaky in defence.
Portugal stroked the ball with confidence all over the park but as usual things will terminate either with a bad last pass or over-elaboration of the move.

Pepe wouldnt be denied in the 2nd half, when he slots a ball expertly in the far-post. Pepe looked more like a center forward than central defender in that move. May be Portugal should consider letting him make some runs at the opponents goal.

Turkey fought gamely but their midfield couldnt cope with likes of Ronaldo, Simao and Deco. Portugal sealed it in the dying moments with a counterattack when Turkey sent everyone foward pushing for an equalizer.

2-0 Fulltime.

I think it will be between the Czechs and the Turks for the 2nd QF spot from this group. Portugal are poised to take the first. Swiss, well they are nice hosts.