Czechs beat Swiss hosts in Euro 2008

Jun. 7 - Hordes of fans gathered in Basel to watch the Czech Republic beat their Swiss hosts 1-0 in the opening Euro 2008 football match.

The Swiss team initially dominated a lively Group A game until 24-year-old Czech striker Vaclav Sverkos scored his first goal for his country in the 70th minute, in front of a sellout crowd of 42 000 in the St Jakob Park stadium. The home team also suffered a huge blow when captain Alex Frei, their all-time top scorer, limped off in tears with a knee injury.

Swiss defeat means they now have a mountain to climb to qualify from a group which includes Portugal who beat Turkey in the tournament's second game.

Joanna Partridge reports.