Euro 2008 Today

RESULTS

Switzerland 2, Portugal 0 (Portugal wins Group A, Switzerland eliminated)
Turkey 3, Czech Republic 2 (Turkey advances to quarterfinals, Czech Republic eliminated)

HIGHLIGHTS

Turkey scored three goals in the last 15 minutes, including two by Nihat Kahveci in three minutes, to rally for a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic and a spot in the quarterfinals from Group A. Nihat scored in the 87th to tie it and in the 89th for the victory.

Switzerland got its first-ever victory in the European Championship, 2-0 over Portugal, which rested eight starters after already advancing.

STARS

Nihat Kahveci’s two goals brought back Turkey and lifted it into the quarterfinals over the Czech Republic, 3-2. Nihat profited from an unlikely blunder by Cech, who fumbled a simple cross. Nihat put it into an unguarded net as thousands of Turkey fans erupted in cheers.

With the game seemingly heading for a penalty-kick shootout, the Czech defense fell apart and Nihat scored the decider with a precise inside-foot shot in the 89th.

Hakan Yakin had both goals as Switzerland beat Portugal 2-0. Yakin opened the scoring after a flicked pass by fellow striker Eren Derdiyok in the 71st minute. He shot through the legs of goalkeeper Ricardo from about 14 yards.

Yakin added his second goal on a penalty kick in the 83rd after Fernando Meira was judged to have fouled substitute Tranquillo Barnetta.

INJURIES

Sweden’s team doctors are using acupuncture and ultrasound to treat star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s swollen left knee. Ibrahimovic came off at halftime in Sweden’s 2-1 loss to Spain on Saturday after feeling pain in his knee, which has bothered him since the start of the European Championship.

HISTORY

Switzerland got its first win in three European Championship appearances, albeit against a Portugal team that rested eight starters. The Swiss had just one draw at the 1996 tournament in England and also in Portugal four years ago.

GOAL OF THE DAY

Nihat Kahveci profited from an unlikely blunder by Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech, who fumbled a simple cross on Turkey’s tying goal in a 3-2 win. Hamit Altintop made the pass from the right side and Cech dropped it at the feet of Nihat, who put it home.

LOOKAHEAD

Group B concludes with Germany playing Austria in Vienna, and group winner Croatia taking on Poland in Klagenfurt. A Germany victory qualifies it for the second round, although Austria or Poland could advance with a win.

QUOTABLE

“Seeing the ball in the nets and knowing that the goal was bringing a win and the quarterfinals, it was an unbelievable feeling.”—Nihat Kahveci of Turkey, who had two goals in a rally from two goals down to a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic.

“It was my mistake that decided that we have to go home.”—Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, whose mistake gave Turkey its second goal.