Miserable start for Swiss as Czechs win 1-0

Basel: The 2008 European Championship got off to the worst possible start for co-hosts Switzerland yesterday when they lost 1-0 to Czech Republic and lost captain Alex Frei to an injury that could rule him out of the tournament.

After two years of preparation, Switzerland's interest in the party they are co-hosting with Austria is in danger of being effectively over after 90 minutes, with tough Group A games against Portugal and Turkey to come.

Across the border

Those two countries were to meet in Geneva later last night, while Austria get things underway across the border today when they play Croatia in Vienna. Tournament favourites Germany play Poland in Klagenfurt in the second Group B game on Sunday.

It was all smiles in Basel before the first match as the fans were entertained by a traditionally kitsch opening ceremony.

Mock-up mountain scenes, skiers and giant model cows were the centrepiece, all accompanied by mass yodelling and alpine horn music.

It looked good on the field too as the Swiss started confidently.

They went on to more than hold their own in terms of possession, had the best of the chances, a penalty claim turned down and hit the woodwork.

The Czechs had hardly threatened until substitute Vaclav Sverkos, who made his international debut only last week, cleverly steered a volley beyond Diego Benaglio after 70 minutes.

Switzerland substitute Johan Vonlanthen came closest to equalising when he fired fiercely against the bar 10 minutes from time after Petr Cech had parried a low Tranquillo Barnetta shot.

The result was compounded by the injury suffered by Frei, Switzerland's all-time leading goalscorer.

Frei, who has scored 35 international goals, left the pitch in tears with an ice pack strapped to his knee at the end of the first half, obviously fearing his tournament was over.