Euro 2008 - Day 1: Switzerland Loses Frei And The Match
June 7th 2008 23:17
The final scoring of 1-0 for the Czech Republic doesn't really reflect the match itself. Indeed, the Swiss started the game pretty well with midfielder Valon Behrami making numerous runs on the right flank and Alexander Frei shooting at the net every time he had a chance. Tranquillo Barnetta – Switzerland's master playmaker – was pretty invisible in the first half as he spent most of that period trying to contain Czech defender Zdenek Grygera who kept running up the wing. With no clear playmaker in midfield, the Czech's squad was split in two as Koller was kept isolated in front while the defense had their hands full with Switzerland's constant attacks. When the Czechs had one of their rare forays into the Swiss' third of the field, the red defense came up as a man to trap Koller in the offside position. Both teams' unwavering defense gave the impression that this was going to be a very tight game with Switzerland having the upper-hand. However, the co-hosts were dealt a severe blow before half-time when Frei went down with a knee-injury. The sight of Frei limping off the field with tears in his eyes was a sad thing to see for the Helvetian fans since the forward was clearly off to a great start.
At the second half, fan favorite Hakan Yakin replaced Frei and, although he didn't bring the same offensive spark as the forward, his presence quickly brought more movement in the midfield. Indeed, after the change, Barnetta started to move more freely around the Czechs 18-yard box, often drifting to the centre which allowed left back Ludovic Magnin to move up the field. Although the Swiss were the team with the most scoring opportunities, they were the ones who surrendered the first goal of the tournament after their offside trap backfired on them. The goal was scored by newcomer Vaclav Sverkos who replaced Jan Koller at the 56th minute of the game. Only fifteen minutes after his entrance, Sverkos beat Switzerland's trap to put the ball past Benaglio for the first goal of the tournament.
Down 1-0, Köbi Kuhn sacrificed a defender and a midfielder to put two extra forwards on the field – Johan Vonlathen and Eren Derdiyok. With those substitutions, the Swiss completely sieged the Czech side of a field, looking for a goal. Unfortunately, they were repeatedly denied by Petr Cech (who offered a great performance) and his crossbar.
Switzerland is now in third place after Portugal's win over Turkey and face an uphill battle for the rest of the tournament with Axander Frei out of action for six to seven weeks (torn interior ligaments in the left knee). With no established goalscorer, they'll have to hope for a tie against Portugal (a point that they probably won't get) and a win against Turkey. The Czechs can consider themselves lucky to have all three points. Their midfield is a huge question mark and they shouldn't have to rely on Cech to bail them out every time.
My man of the match: Petr Cech. Chelsea's goalkeeper made the saves that kept his team in the game during the first half and prevented the Swiss from equalizing the mark late in the game.
At the second half, fan favorite Hakan Yakin replaced Frei and, although he didn't bring the same offensive spark as the forward, his presence quickly brought more movement in the midfield. Indeed, after the change, Barnetta started to move more freely around the Czechs 18-yard box, often drifting to the centre which allowed left back Ludovic Magnin to move up the field. Although the Swiss were the team with the most scoring opportunities, they were the ones who surrendered the first goal of the tournament after their offside trap backfired on them. The goal was scored by newcomer Vaclav Sverkos who replaced Jan Koller at the 56th minute of the game. Only fifteen minutes after his entrance, Sverkos beat Switzerland's trap to put the ball past Benaglio for the first goal of the tournament.
Down 1-0, Köbi Kuhn sacrificed a defender and a midfielder to put two extra forwards on the field – Johan Vonlathen and Eren Derdiyok. With those substitutions, the Swiss completely sieged the Czech side of a field, looking for a goal. Unfortunately, they were repeatedly denied by Petr Cech (who offered a great performance) and his crossbar.
Switzerland is now in third place after Portugal's win over Turkey and face an uphill battle for the rest of the tournament with Axander Frei out of action for six to seven weeks (torn interior ligaments in the left knee). With no established goalscorer, they'll have to hope for a tie against Portugal (a point that they probably won't get) and a win against Turkey. The Czechs can consider themselves lucky to have all three points. Their midfield is a huge question mark and they shouldn't have to rely on Cech to bail them out every time.
My man of the match: Petr Cech. Chelsea's goalkeeper made the saves that kept his team in the game during the first half and prevented the Swiss from equalizing the mark late in the game.
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