In the end, co-hosts Switzerland ended their Euro 2008 adventure on a high with a 2-0 win over Portugal. That was the action in Basel. In Geneva, there was much more drama between Turkey and the Czech Republic.
To sum it up in one word on the match in Geneva - Insane. When it looked like the Czech Republic is about to book their places in the quarter-finals together with already-qualified Portugal, the last 15 minutes of the match took a turn by iself. Three goals in 15 minutes (the first two goals...I was almost shaking my head over Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech) and in the end, it's 3-2 to Turkey. Yes, a great escape for Turkey and quite a comeback. Turkey captain Nihat Kahveci, the hero of the tournament with two of his goals eventually sending his country into the quarter-finals for the first time as well. If I had put my money on who to win the match, I think I will lose some money (yeah, I was rooting for the Czechs because of their experience of being beyond the group stages).
But at least the Geneva match didn't ended up on penalties. For a moment, it looked almost like it. That would have been more drama. Reactions from the match in Basel. With Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari regretting not fielding a complete reserve side given his side picked up four yellow cards and there were bookings as well. For outgoing Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn he is touched by the show of gratitude his players made when they unfurled a banner saying "Merci Köbi" (Merci being thank you in French and Köbi being his nickname). Now it's up to Ottmar Hitzfeld to continue the work. At least the 'Nati' ended their Euro 2008 adventure on a high for their outgoing coach though they have already being eliminated at their own backyard coming into the match.
For the Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, not a time to remember (with club Chelsea, losing out the League Cup to Tottenham Hotspur, both the Premier League and the Champions League title to Manchester United) as the match against Turkey, it really sums up his season. For his outoging coach Karel Brueckner (he is leaving the post after the tournament is over), Turkey's comeback was unbelievable. For Turkey coach Fatih Terim, he's delighted. And saying his side can go all the way.
A real, real drama in Geneva. Really insane, the Turkey-Czech Republic match. Maybe that is why football is meant to be like this. It ain't over, until the final whistle. I really don't know what to say. And if those TV footages I had been seeing are anything to go by, the Swiss do know how to enjoy themselves. Usually when talking about Switzerland, fun-loving people are not in the mix. Famous for their banking system, producing watches, the famous Swiss cheese...time to see them differently now. And Turkey coach Fatih Terim really lives up to his nickname of the 'Emperor' (given if looks could kill, it came during the match and I was like 'whoa!'). So it's confirmed, Portugal being the winners of Group A with Turkey the runners-up. Both advancing to the quarter-finals. The Czech Republic third and co-hosts Switzerland last.
Onto other news, but not relating to Group A. UEFA President Michel Platini giving a ringing endorsement of the first half of the tournament. Given Basel (ah yes, remember how the pitch was rain-soaked during Switzerland-Turkey match?) will host one of the quarter-final matches, the Euro 2008 organisers has decided to change the turf at Basel's St Jakob-Park stadium three days before the first of two quarter-finals due to take place there. And Holland coach Marco van Basten has expressed concern over the matter. One interesting piece of news before ending the entry.
But before that...after Group A is done and dusted yesterday, it's all about Group B action today and especially since with the results four days ago in Klagenfurt and Vienna (the Croatia-Germany and the Austria-Poland matches respectively), the Austria-Germany match is really the highlight now given co-hosts Austria still have a realistic chance while Germany, the pre-tournament favourites want to avoid humiliation (read: Cordoba 1978). There was a six-a-side match between their female counterparts on the beach (only wearing thongs) yesterday and it's the Austrian women won 10-5.
Euro 2008 thought of the day: Expect emotions? After the drama between the Turkey-Czech Republic match, it's much more than that. A quarter-final place is at stake, and I never realised at the end of it, way more dramatic than I thought. At least I didn't regret watching the match. And the Euro 2008 organisers have really picked a good theme for this tournament.
Romania, not such dark horses (Having been drawn alongside Italy, France and the Netherlands in Group C, not many people would have predicted Romania would hold their own destiny and that of the world champions and World Cup finalists in their own hands going into the final group matches.)
The life and loves of Slaven Bilic (When Slaven Bilic was asked recently to explain his love of football, he put it succinctly. "With the greatest respect to women," said Bilic, "football is the most beautiful thing in the world." So speaks a man driven by his desire to bring success to his beloved nation. And that also explains why, despite the knowledge that he could walk into any one of several high-profile club jobs, he recently agreed a new contract to remain in charge of Croatia until 2010.)
Our Euro 2008 woes (The tough life of the various Reuters correspondents covering Euro 2008)
