Czechs beat hosts Switzerland in Euro 2008 opener

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June 07, 2008 23:41 IST

Co-hosts Switzerland lost the opening match of Euro 2008 by 1-0 to Czech Republic and their captain Alex Frei to serious injury in a double piece of bad luck on Saturday.

Despite having the better of the match, the Swiss fell to an opportunist goal in the 70th minute from substitute Vaclav Sverkos.

Frei, captain and top scorer, went off with a knee injury just before halftime and came back to the bench later on crutches, his tournament possibly over.

They were unlucky not to equalise when Tranquillo Barnetta hit the underside of the bar with a fierce shot and even unluckier when they were not awarded a penalty when a Czech player handled in the area.

Portugal meet Turkey later in the second match in Group A in Geneva.

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