A second half goal from substitute Vaclav Sverkos saw the Czech Republic overcome a resilient Swiss side 1-0 in the opening game of Euro 2008 in Basel. It was not a very inspiring performance from Karel Bruckner's side, but some luck, coupled with Switzerland's ineffectiveness in finding the back of the net, saw them through.

Coach Kobi Kuhn opted to start with playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta on the left  wing and Valon Behrami on the right, leaving Johan Vonlanthen on the bench. The Swiss had the better chances in the first half, with skipper Alexander Frei shooting wide in the third minute. Petr Cech then denied the Borussia Dortmund forward twice, once after he had latched on to a long clearance from Diego Benaglio, and the other when he let loose a powerful 30 yard shot that Cech had to fist away. It landed in the path of Marco Streller, but the forward was offside. The Czech Republic saw more of the ball in the first half, but really did not have any notable chances. Koller was quiet upfront, not able to successfully connect with the few crosses that came his way. Just on the stroke of half time, Zdenek Grygera's challenge saw Alexander Frei clutch his left knee in agony and hobble away in tears. That was the end of the game for Frei, and he was replaced by Hakan Yakin.

The co hosts started off the second half positively, with Yakin winning a freekick after being tripped by Galasek. Unfortunately for them, the Young Boys striker's effort went above the crossbar. Bruckner then replaced a lacklustre Koller with Vaclav Sverkos in the 56th minute. Stand in skipper Ludovic Magnin conceded a freekick after a challenge on Libor Sionko on the hour mark, and the resulting freekick from Marek Jankulovski nearly caught Switzerland unawares, but Sionko was unable to get his head to the ball. On the other side, Lichsteiner's cross found Barnetta, who shot high into the crowd. Lichsteiner was again in action a few minutes later, but Hakan Yakin headed wide from 10 yards out. Five minutes later, the Swiss appeared to have cleared their lines, but Jankulovski headed the ball over the top, and Sverkos kept his cool to slot the ball past Benaglio to score the opening  goal of the tournament. Bruckner's substitution had paid off, and the Swiss were shocked.

Kuhn brought on Volanthen for Lichsteiner, as the Swiss searched for an equaliser. Then in a moment of absolute drama, Marco Streller's header appeared to hit the arm of Czech skipper Ujfalusi. As a couple of players appealed for handball, Barnetta unleashed a fierce shot that Petr Cech kept out. The rebound fell to Volanthen, who hit the underside of the crossbar. The Swiss appealed for another penalty late in injury time, once again with Ujfalusi, but the referee was in no mood to award them one. The Czechs held their nerve, and 1-0 was what the game remained at.

Switzerland starting XI- Benaglio, Magnin, Muller, Senderos, Lichsteiner ( Vonlanthen), Barnetta, Inler, Fernandes, Behrami ( Derdiyok), Frei ( Hakan Yakin), Streller

Czech Republic starting XI- Cech, Jankulovski, Ujfalusi, Rozenhal, Grygera, Polak, Jarolim ( Kovac), Galasek, Plasil, Sionko ( Vlcek), Koller ( Sverkos)