For 45 minutes, fans had cause to wonder: Would this sluggish, cautious game form the template for the European championships? After all, more than one team playing in Switzerland and Austria this year watched the Greeks bunker their way to the crown four years ago, and learned that a stifling defense can defuse even the most dynamic of teams.

It won't go down as a classic, but it wasn't a dud. In truth, this was an opener that suffered from a case of nerves. In the end, an unlucky Swtzerland fought bravely, but lacked the necessary imagination to break down a Czech Republic side riding a slim lead. That goal came when Jaroslav Plasil gamely chucked a ball over a high-riding Swiss back line to Vaclav Sverkos in the 69th minute. Both Ludivic Magnin and Stephan Licsteiner were caught out, and keeper Diego Benaglio was left on his rear end.

The momentum had swung earlier, though, following a tragic injury to Alexander Frei. Following a routine challenge, Frei fell awkwardly over Zdenek Grygera, and early reports indicated he may be lost for the rest of the tournament with a damaged knee. Frei left the field in tears, but the halftime introduction of Hakan Yakin gave the Swiss some life up top.

In truth, the Swiss might have stolen a draw in Basel, as Peter Cech was forced to make three big saves. The crossbar did the same to Johan Vonlathen, who saw his strike in the 80th hit the underside of the woodwork amidst frantic calls by the Swiss for a penalty after Tomas Ujfalusi seemed to handle an earlier ball. Though Ujfalusi would be again be the center of a handball appeal in stoppage time, in case did a penalty seem justified.

The Swiss now must dust themselves off to face a hard Turkish side Wednesday, again in Basel. The Czechs will travel to Geneva to face Portugal, all smiles. They will at least share the top of the group lead, and despite seeming to snooze in the late stages of the second half, were just enough the better team on the day.