Unique Log: Jun 12, 2008

Co-hosts Switzerland have been eliminated from Euro 2008 after suffering a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Turkey in a rain-soaked Basel.

The defeat leaves the Swiss unable to progress from Group A, while Turkey go on to face the Czech Republic in a winner-takes-all showdown and Portugal are confirmed as group winners.

There was little action to speak of in the opening minutes of the game, with the most notable event the start of a torrential downpour which left the playing surface covered in puddles.

Gradually the Swiss took the upper hand, with Hakan Yakin finding space on the left and seeing his fierce drive from 25 yards pushed away for a corner by Volkan.

Soon after, the Turkish keeper did superbly to push Tranquillo Barnetta's free-kick away from danger, getting down smartly to his left.

Right on the half-hour mark Nihat's free-kick was palmed back out by Diego Benaglio and deflected off Turan Arda and back against the outside of the post before going out for a goal-kick.

However, Switzerland hit the front soon after as Eren Derdiyok broke the offside trap and rounded the keeper, before laying the ball across the face of goal for Yakin to tap home from a couple of yards.

It should have been two soon after when Valon Behrami played in a superb ball from the right flank, but Yakin sidefooted wide from a couple of yards out at the far post.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim made two changes at the interval and his side gradually began to find their rhythm.

Just before the hour mark the Turks were level as Nihat drifted in a deep cross from the left and sub Semih Senturk headed home at the far post, with Benaglio unable to keep the effort out.

The game then opened up as both sides went looking for a decisive winner and the Swiss looked certain to regain the lead with just seven minutes left to play.

They broke in numbers and seemed certain to score, only for Volkan to parry Yakin's initial shot before reacting superbly to smother the loose ball with Ricardo Cabanas closing in.

That proved to be fatal deep into stoppage time as Turkey powered forward and Arda cut in from the left, with his 20-yard right-foot shot being deflected past the helpless Benaglio.

Main Highlights:

1-0 Hakan Yakin 32′

1-1 Semih Sentürk 57′

1-2 Arda Turan 90+1

Kazim says the win will spur Turkey on

Portugal continued to impress at Euro 2008 as they got the better of the Czech Republic in a fast-paced Group A match, edging towards the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win.

Neither side had gained any momentum before Portugal broke the deadlock after eight minutes had been played.

Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo had already been given too much space in midfield and it was through a combination of the two that the first goal came about.

Ronaldo's run on goal was halted when Petr Cech rushed out and clawed the ball away, but it fell into the path of Deco who struggled to avoid a desperate dive from Cech and mis-hit a shot that deflected off Marek Jankulovski on the line and rolled into the net.

Portugal looked content to hold their lead but, despite no previous attacking intent, the Czech Republic drew level just nine minutes later.Libor Sionko, outstanding down the right and later on through the middle, nutmegged defender Pepe before winning a corner from which the equaliser came.

Having already shown skill and composure on the ball, Sionko demonstrated his aerial ability by throwing himself at the corner and powering a header past Ricardo.

Portugal were reduced to long-range efforts for much of the rest of the first half, but, despite good intentions from the Czechs, a second goal never looked likely.

Instead it was Portugal who ended the half well and came out in the second period full of energy and invention.

Nuno Gomes wasted a good chance in the 53rd minute, shooting straight at Cech after he had spun away from the last defender, while a mistake from David Rozehnal allowed him another chance two minutes later, but again he failed to beat the Chelsea keeper.

Ten minute later Portugal were ahead again. Deco attacked down the right side and laid the ball off to Ronaldo on the edge of the area and the Manchester United star fired low past Cech for his first goal of the tournament.

Chances came the Czech Republic's way in the remaining half-hour, but only a Sionko header in the 83rd minute forced Ricardo to make a save, tipping over when Sionko had enough time and space to pick his spot.

By the time Ricardo Quaresma scored the third - the young Porto winger had been given the goal by Ronaldo who beat the offside trap and chose to pass when he had only Cech to beat - the Czechs were looking tired.

For them a nail-biting, must-win match with Turkey awaits, while Portugal will only need to draw with Switzerland on Sunday to win the group.

First Half Highlights

Goals

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