Czech Republic 1-0 wins over Switzerland

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-8  |     ONLINE EDITION

VACLAV Sverkos scored his first goal for the Czech Republic in a 1-0 win over co-host Switzerland yesterday in the opening match of the European Championship.

Sverkos, making only his third appearance for the national team, scored from 16 meters (yards) with the outside of his right foot in the 71st minute, shortly after coming on as a substitute.

Switzerland also lost influential captain and record scorer Alexander Frei when he injured his right knee. The 28-year-old striker was taken off the field in tears shortly before halftime. He returned to the bench on crutches.

"It's a disaster, of course, to lose our captain in the first game the way we did," said Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn, who thought Frei damaged a knee ligament.

Sverkos ran onto Tomas Galasek's header after beating the offside trap and made no mistake with a cool finish to the left of Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. His goal saved the Czech Republic from an otherwise poor performance that included long stretches of Swiss control.

"It was the best moment of my football career," Sverkos said. "I'd be happy to score more goals."

Switzerland missed a chance to equalize in the 80th minute. Tranquillo Barnetta's low shot was stopped by Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech after Tomas Ujfalusi appeared to handle the ball in the area. Johan Vonlanthen got the loose ball but his shot hit the crossbar, and the ball was cleared.

"I actually jumped against the ball and the ball hit my hand," Ujfalusi said. "I couldn't do anything about it."

Before the late drama, there had been few clear-cut scoring chances, with the youthful Swiss lacking a cutting edge in front of goal and the experienced Czechs happy to soak up pressure and look for chances on the counterattack.