Instantly forgettable that was this match was. Oh well it is not as if we have not become use to poor opening games at major championships. Neither side showed anything that would make you look forward to their next game.
The Swiss midfield four got the better of a five man Czech configuration. Behrami, Fernandes, Inler and Barnetta were brighter, more mobile and quickly closed a down Czechs. However, they lacked someone able to play a killer pass into the penalty box and for all their hard work they rarely threatened.
Sionko’s pace and willingness to take players was the only thing that stood out in largely pedestrian Czech midfield. In fact pedestrian pretty much describes this Czech team. Although they clearly miss Nedved and Rosicky in midfield it is the demise of Jan Koller as a regular and persistent threat that has impacted the Czechs the most.
His substitution after less than an hour came as no surprise and now Coach Karl Bruckner must choose between the ageing Koller and Václav Sverkoš who replaced him and scored the only goal.
On Wednesday the Czechs play Portugal while the Swiss need at least a point against Turkey.
Officials note – Italy’s Roberto Rosetti had a good game although it was not a difficult one to handle. Despite the match commentator referring to two controversial handballs there was nothing controversial about either incident. Referee got both calls right.
Portugal 2-0 Turkey
The second game of the day was much more pleasing on the eye as both teams attempted to play the ball to feet and to build attacks for the most part. Portugal was by far the better team and in the first half they had a Pepe goal disallowed and a Ronaldo free kick tipped onto the post by Turkish keeper Volkan Demirel.
As the first half progressed Portugal was able to get Deco on the ball more and as he grew in confidence we saw more decisive runs at the Turkish defence. Simao also posed a threat to the Turks every time he attacked. Portugal (and other sides watching) could not but help but see an obvious aerial weakness in the Turkish defence. With every cross delivered from a wide position the Portuguese threatened to score.
The breakthrough goal, when it arrived in the second half, came uncharacteristically from Pepe pushing forward during open play. Under Scolari it is rare to see either of the Portuguese centre backs moving forward for anything other than free kicks and corners.
But no matter, Pepe picked up a loose ball about forty yards from the Turkish goal and pushed towards the heart of the defence. Playing a one-two Pepe was then left alone inside the penalty box and scored with the help of slight deflection of Asik as he scrambled to make a last ditch tackle.
Either side of the Pepe goal Nuno Gomes hit the woodwork twice. However, basing his performance of these two close encounters is deceiving given that he should have been able to take full advantage of a poor Turkish central defensive pairing of Servet Cetin and Gökhan Zan.
Turkey’s main threat came from Nihat but he badly lacked support. Kazim Kazin (Colin Kazim-Richards formerly of Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United) flattered to deceive on the right side of the midfield as he looked confident and comfortable on the ball but he failed to take advantage of the potential weakness of the right footed Ferreira playing at left back.
Sabri Sarioglu added a bit of pep to Turkey’s play when he came on as substitute but overall Portugal was well deserving of the three points and should be happy with the overall performance.
Is it just me but does every Czech player look exactly like Milam Baros? They're certainly playing like him. The standard of play is now making the opening ceremony comparatively professional. (Camera pans to to the detestable Platini slumped in his seat.) Without Frei the Swiss must be fried.
Yes, I agree Bobby. The Swiss were much better offensively. Alexander Frei left the game in the 40th minute in tears and with a scarf around his ankle.
Looks like teams are doing too many pre-game calculations. With Portugal also in the group both teams cannot afford to lose, and be three points behind, and also whoever loses would probably need a result against Portugal to advance. Yet again, a draw is acceptable for both, and not worth taking risks to win.
About what I expected from this game... Was originally thinking 2-1 Czechs, but 1-0 works as well...
Czechs played to their strength... Sound defensively, control the ball when they can, take opportunities they are given, without forcing them...
Swiss look totally lost going forward without Frei. Their buildup looked fine, they just didn't have the person to open the door... If Frei's done for the tournament, the Swiss will be lucky to earn a point.
Hahaha Andy "bitter" Gray is on ESPN....he must be hating working with these morons.
Czech's win and not a surprise. Handball it was but not surprised that it wasn't called.
Looking forward to Portugal-Turkey!
Not that this has anything to do with football but I met Ricky Hatton last night. Could barely understand him but he seemed like a nice guy. It sucks towering over a guy and knowing he can whoop my ####...
Last edited by LetsGoBuffalo on June 7th at 11:06 AM.
Bobby thanks for the massive, massive labor on this tourney. I will likely watch every game. I hope the upcoming game with Portugal sets things alight but for me the main use of Euro 200 and WC 2010 is to help me get through some of the huge void before La Liga, Serie A and the EPL start again. E2008 occurs to me like stopping the NFL season for Florida to play New York.
I never heard from you on this .. Club or International what's your and others preference?
I did think Andy Gray is 100% BTW. Petr Cech definitely slower, less decisive, doesn't cover the corners of the goal so well, since Hunt lowered his knee on his head. Actually I think he's getting worse as time goes on.
The ESPN panel of experts agree that there is not even a discussion that C.Ronaldo is the best player in the world ... not even a discussion. There is not another player even worth talking about. They probably can't think of any other players.
Prediction for next match: Portugal will win 1-0. Ronaldo will produce very little substance, other than some meaningless fancy moves. If nothing else he'll earn the Turks a couple of yellows.
Ron: that's an easy one - watch the next match and you'll have your answer.
Zuco: No penalties in the first match - even Tommy Smyth went back on his words in both cases.
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Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on June 7th at 11:19 AM.
... and the joy of working from home is that there's always 4 or 5 five channels or a radio program to pick from ...! Work and play at he same time. Perfect.
Portugal look like they will find a goal at some point. Ronaldo looked pretty good, not great... Surprised by the inclusions of Petit and Moutinho to start... Nuno Gomes has been almost invisible on top...
I like the way Turkey are playing them though. I like that they came out playing to win this game, instead of sit back and play for a point... If it works out for them, it'll be genius, if not, it could see the end of their tournament
My husband is Swiss-born and he's never been particularly pleased or interested in the NT. Hell, he could care less. Shame that there is so little passion!
I, on the other hand, support Argentina with a religious fervor.
Update on Alex Frei's injury from Jurgen Klopp, new coach for Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and part of the commentating team for German TV, who spoke to Frei after the game:
Partly torn interior knee ligament.
out for the Euro 2008 should be back for BVB in 6-8 weeks.
2 absolutely beautiful goals for Portugal, well, beautiful in how they were created and set up, the finishing wasn't world class, but then again really didn't need to be...
2 very unlikely goal scorers indeed for Portugal, but a win is a win, and I'm sure they'll take the 3 points
TH- I wasn't going to... I simply said the actual finishing on the 2 goals they scored was nothing amazing... And that they happened to come from 2 very unlikely players
Absolutely PERFECT ball from Nuno Gomes back to Pepe for the first one... I do not think it would be possible to put the ball into any better of a position than he did... Just fantastic... The run from Pepe itself was incredible... I can't think of the last time I saw a center back make a run like that, that far downfield...
Joao Moutinho's had an amazing touch from the pass from Ronaldo and an almost impossible turn to feed the ball to Meireles who had a very easy finish...
They absolutely deserved the 3 points today... They look like they SHOULD be able to run this group...
I take it that everyone on this blog who doesn't like the passive offside rule, feels the Czech goal should've been dissallowed, right?
Good win by Portugal, very solid performance, and again very typical performance by Ronaldo. Wins like this are the trademark of good teams - not a great performance, but nonetheless a comfortable win against a quality opponent. How far will they be able to go without any depth up front is anyone's guess at this point.
Not a very good showing by the officials in this one. Fandel missed the horrible lunge on Nani, and the Pepe disallowed goal could've been incorrect, even though it was very close.
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Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on June 7th at 2:26 PM.
Typical Portugal goals. Create turnover, get ball upfield and have someone step into the space to finish off the move. Great counter-attacking stuff.
Oh and Portugal looked very dangerous on set pieces I might add.
VVV-I like the passive rule, so I like the goal. You shouldn't turn off in defense no matter what and thats what the Swiss get for thinking it was an offside.
Boby,
Where you wearing your glasses??? The first handball according to the book was a flagrant penalty. The player had his hand up in the air and the ball touch it . Penalty no discussion. The second one , well it could have gone etheir way the call was right., but definitively not the first one.
Actually, the rules state that the player must handle the ball DELIBERATELY for it to be sanctioned by the ref. In my humble opinion, I don't see how Ujfalusi did anything to intentionally handle the ball.
Looks like they have stacked the deck to get a Triple Crown winner today, for the first time in three decades. I guess horse race gambling must be down, and the sport needs some publicity. It's a bigger lock than even CR to win the player of the year awards.
Well, not today. I guess CR won't finish the year atop the world either.
Sorry about including completely unrelated topic.
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Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on June 7th at 3:41 PM.
I thought Ronaldo did all right today, but was looking a little uptight. Bound to get better as the tournament progresses. Outstanding save on his free kick.
Was there a laundry malfunction for Portugal? Those shirts looked ridiculously tight and the fake collars are just goofy.
Maybe its because I watch so much premier league, and MLS football, but the Czech-Swiss game was decently entertaining I thought the Swiss where winning the match Gelson Fernades was particularly good at re-capturing possession and starting play. The Swiss earned 3 points, and the Czech stole them on a beautiful switch run. Perhaps karma will allow a result against Portugal as penance.
As far as the Koller lashing he looked awful, but the Swiss were all over him in that first half. I think he can still have an impact in this tournament off the bench.
The Turkey-Portugal match, that was unwatchable as far as I was concerned Nuno Gomis is a terrible lone striker, if it were me as manager I would have pulled him at the 30 minute mark. As a lone hes supposed to be a target man, but i cant remember a time before the Pepe give and go that he so much as touched the ball.
Ronaldo should start next match as the lone striker and Ricardo Quaresma should fill his spot.
As far as the Turks well maybe the whole team save maybe Nihat and Kazim Richards(sorry Kazim Kazim) should think about taking up competitive crocheting, because they have little future as footballers, at least by the way they played.
After a performance like this its got to be a blow to the already battered English physique.
Last edited by Targetthyself on June 7th at 6:05 PM.
What's all this about Ronaldo refusing to return Fergie's phone calls, Ronaldo wants to transfer to Madrid, the Glaziers saying they will let him rot in the stands, Ronaldo's agent refuses to speak with David Gill??
I guess the tabloids have to find something to write about, and they always seem to find something, even though this is good stuff
I believe Switzerland was cheated out of a possible win
there should have been two penalty kicks after those two hand balls
Final score should have been 2-1 switzerland
Bobby
I just love your logic.This is exactly what you like about teams like Italy.They just stumble all the way to the final,playing defence and just praying to score couple of lucky goals and suddenly the Czechs are playing boring footbal when they're doing exactly the same thing.Ok,lets rewiew what we learned:Last Euro Czechs were by far the best team, but they didn't win the title,So maybe it's time to change strategy.
I'm appalled at some of the (lack of) logic on here...
First, whoever says the Swiss should have won 2-1 today is an ####... Even if they were called PK's, there's 0% guarantee that they score either... The Swiss hardly "earned 3 points" today... Point is simple they couldn't finish, and the Czech's could... And IMO, the ref got the handball calls correct.
Second, how anyone could say that the Portugal-Turkey match was "unwatchable" must never have seen this game played before.
VVV- It could be more bollox blown out of proportion by the media, or maybe Ronaldo is cutting off contacts to United for the time being, so he can stay focused on the European championships?
I dont know if ESPN broadcasts the Euro in Canada but you are missing Tommy Smyth and Andy Gray going Banana's to show each other down.
As for turkey I think If Altintop had played A little more advanced role as he does with Bayern. He was their best Stricker playing at right back. Terim got it awfully wrong.
How bad can it be at imploding Ar5ena1 when their renowned long-time physio, Gary Lewin, decides there's greener pastures to be found with the England national team?
First Flamini, then Hleb, Adebayor peut etre, and of course, Wenger himself. Either away or wantaways.
Bruckner wasn't happy with the midfield inability to hold the ball...
The back line was instructed to play to "zero" result...When you play a home team at a Euro opening match,you aren't there to feature your attacking game...
I hope the Czech will switch to 4:1:4:1 or 4:3:2:1...
Sverkos and Matejovsky should start vs. Portugal...
The Czechs need probably one more point to go through...
Senderos pretty much double marked Koller with the other Swiss defender,Mangnila or whatever his name is...
The Czech defence was instructed to stay back at the half field and not to expose Cech...
I think the Czech defenders did fantastic,considereing the problems in the midfield...
The Czechs never expected Nedved,Poborski or Smicer to ever play at this Euroe...they all retired 2 years ago from National duty and never played in the Qualifiers...
Nedved's knees are so bad that he refused to consider to come back as he can not play 5 or 6 games in a row anymore...
Smicer is playing in Slavia Prague and Poborski,who owns Dynamo Ceske Budejovice,is the National Team's TD....
The real lose is of Tomas Rosicky,who got injured playing with Arsenal vs. lowly Fulham with all their US anti-soccer players etc...of whom one kneed him/slid into him and injured his knee....on a terrible tackle...
He is the real lose to the Czechs as the "little Mozart" has the 'nedved's' abilities to create and hold ball and even score goals from the midfield...{Similar to Julian DeGuzman on the Canadian Team.}
hopefully we will see a master class on football today when the germans take the field yesterdays games were a snooze fest just 4 teams trying not to lose.
portugal will be the nearly boys again just not enough depth and creativity and once snorealdo gets crocked they are done.
czecs swiss and turks showed nothing to say that they are capable of winning this thing.so in my humble opinion we will not see the winner from this group.
TSN and Sportsnet are combining to cover the Euros in Canada. It was amusing when the audio feed for the Turkey - Portugal match failed to work for the first 15 minutes. A total inability to comment on anybody who doesn't play in the Premiership. Boy were they grateful when the feed came through.
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