Swiss Heartbreaker
In a driving rain in Basel, Switzerland fell to Turkey 1-2 on a regulation time goal in the 92nd minute making the co-host Swiss the first team to exit though they still have one match left against Portugal. The serious injury suffered by captain Alexander Frei was perhaps the harbinger of doom as Köbi Kuhn’s co-hosts lost, arguably unluckily, to the Czech Republic in Saturday’s Group A curtain-raiser. But at least fans of the Nati held on to hope going into Wednesday’s match against another point-less team, Turkey. Coming out of it, though, they had nothing but a lost dream and a guaranteed wooden spoon in the group. Arda Turan’s 92nd-minute knife through the heart summed up the Swiss campaign – deflecting, decisively, off the heels of defender Patrick Müller and over goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. A slice of awful luck.
Portuguese Joy & Portuguese Hunks
Meanwhile Portugal used its speed on the counter-attack to pounce on the Czech Republic 3-1. Portugal now moves on to the next round. The Czechs now play Turkey for the second spot from Group A. Portugal also won twice today. Its handsome striker who plays for Manchester United, Christian Ronaldo was voted Euro Hunk 2008. More on that below.
Christian Ronaldo Named Euro Hunk 2008
Think of it as the Mr. Congeniality Prize and the 23-year old Portuguese striker is very congenial by all appearances. The prize is voted on by the fans and I’m a fan. Christian e muito bem. Belo, belo, belo.
Today’s Matches
Poland takes on co-host Austria in Vienna. Both sides lost their first match and look to win to keep their hopes of advancing intact. The second match pits Croatia versus Germany, perhaps the most anticipated match-up of the opening round as both nations are among the favourites to win the tourney.
For more on the matches and the tournment, please visit Euro2008.