Quick Report: Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic

The Czech Republic have won the opening match of the 2008 European Championships. Hosts Switzerland were beaten 1-0 in Basel.

Switzerland created the better chances throughout the entire ninety minutes but never managed to get past goalkeeper Cech.

In the 71st minute, it was substitute Vaclav Sverkos to silence the home crowd by scoring the first goal of the tournament.

Sverkos received a looping header and found himself in a one-on-one situation with Swiss goalkeeper Benaglio. The Czech made no mistake and shot into the right lower corner for 1-0.

Switzerland came close in the remaining minutes with Johan Vonlanthen hitting the crossbar from close ranger, but couldn’t avoid a defeat in their first match.

And there was more bad news for the Swiss as captain Alexander Frei went out injured just before half time, and doesn’t seem likely to make an appearance later in the tournament.