Group A

Euro 2008 began with a defeat for the co-hosts Switzerland. The Swiss had the better of the first half and despite seeing their captain Alexander Frei suffer a serious-looking injury just before the break, increased the pressure in the second half, but after a free header from Yakin had flown past the post in the 65th minute, the Czechs responded with a goal in the 71st minute when a clearance was headed back over the defence for Substitute Vaclav Sverkos to screw past Benaglio in the Swiss goal. The hosts came close in the 79th minute when Barnetta's low shot was saved by Cech and Vonlanthen smashed the follow-up against the bar. (Switzerland 0 Czech Republic 1)

Portuguese pressure paid off as they scored twice in the second half to celebrate a win against Turkey on the opening day of Euro 2008. Cristiano Ronaldo struck a low free-kick across the goal and against the upright in the 37th minute, and 5 minutes into the 2nd half after a foul on Simao the advantage was played, allowing the ball to reach Nuno Gomez who also struck the post. Pepe who had had a goal disallowed in the first-half knocked the ball past the Turkish keeper in the 61st minute after playing a one-two with Gomes. Four minutes later Gomes saw his header come off the crossbar, but Portugal found the net for the second time when Moutinho spun past a defender and laid the ball into the path of Raul Meireles who side-stepped Volkan and secured victory with the last kick of the match (Portugal 2 Turkey 0)