Switzerland depart with pride
Table of Contents
Two defeats, to the Czech Republic and Turkey, had left the co-hosts no chance of qualifying to the quarter-final.
However, the Swiss managed to overcome one of the tournament favourites and provide a wonderful farewell present for departing coach Jakob Kuhn.
Switzerland attained their first victory at a Euro 2008 to end their campaign by beating Portugal 2-0 in Basel.
Man of the match Hakan Yakin scored both goals, his third and all Swiss goals in the tournament, sent the Swiss supporters home happy.
The 31-year-old broke the deadlock in the 71st minute when Eren Derdiyok's flick evaded Pepe and settled Yakin unmarked and put his shot through the legs of Ricardo.
Twelve minutes later Tranquillo Barnetta was tripped by Fernando Meira inside the penalty area and Hakan converted the penalty by smashing the ball high to Ricardo’s right.
With a top spot of the group already assured, Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari took the opportunity to rest a number of his key players.
He made eight changes to his side from the team that started first two matches, with only goalkeeper Ricardo, central defender Pepe and left back Paulo Ferreira retained their places in the line up.
The sweet result make sure Swiss coach Kuhn ended his international career with a victory, before being replaced by Ottmar Hitzfeld.
In spite of the loss, Portugal are top the group and will face the runner-up in Group B – probably Germany or co-hosts Austria.
For the Swiss, their consolation win give their fans something to cheer about.
Switzerland: 18-Pascal Zuberbühler; 5-Stephan Lichtsteiner (13-Stéphane Grichting 84), 20-Patrick Müller, 4-Philippe Senderos, 3-Ludovic Magnin; 19-Valon Behrami, 15-Gelson Fernandes, 8-Gökhan Inler, 22-Johan Vonlanthen (16-Tranquillo Barnetta 61); 10-Hakan Yakin (7-Ricardo Cabanas 85); 12-Eren Derdiyok
Portugal: 1-Ricardo; 13-Miguel, 15-Pepe, 3-Bruno Alves, 2-Paulo Ferreira (14-Jorge Ribeiro 41); 5-Fernando Meira, 18-Miguel Veloso (10-João Moutinho 70), 6-Raul Meireles; 19-Nani, 17-Ricardo Quaresma, 23-Hélder Postiga (9-Hugo Almeida 74)
Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)
Statistics:
Also see:
However, the Swiss managed to overcome one of the tournament favourites and provide a wonderful farewell present for departing coach Jakob Kuhn.
Switzerland attained their first victory at a Euro 2008 to end their campaign by beating Portugal 2-0 in Basel.
Man of the match Hakan Yakin scored both goals, his third and all Swiss goals in the tournament, sent the Swiss supporters home happy.
The 31-year-old broke the deadlock in the 71st minute when Eren Derdiyok's flick evaded Pepe and settled Yakin unmarked and put his shot through the legs of Ricardo.
Twelve minutes later Tranquillo Barnetta was tripped by Fernando Meira inside the penalty area and Hakan converted the penalty by smashing the ball high to Ricardo’s right.
With a top spot of the group already assured, Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari took the opportunity to rest a number of his key players.
He made eight changes to his side from the team that started first two matches, with only goalkeeper Ricardo, central defender Pepe and left back Paulo Ferreira retained their places in the line up.
The sweet result make sure Swiss coach Kuhn ended his international career with a victory, before being replaced by Ottmar Hitzfeld.
In spite of the loss, Portugal are top the group and will face the runner-up in Group B – probably Germany or co-hosts Austria.
For the Swiss, their consolation win give their fans something to cheer about.
| Switzerland |  | 2 - 0 |  | Portugal |
| Hakan Yakin 71 | ||||
| Hakan Yakin 83 pen |
Switzerland: 18-Pascal Zuberbühler; 5-Stephan Lichtsteiner (13-Stéphane Grichting 84), 20-Patrick Müller, 4-Philippe Senderos, 3-Ludovic Magnin; 19-Valon Behrami, 15-Gelson Fernandes, 8-Gökhan Inler, 22-Johan Vonlanthen (16-Tranquillo Barnetta 61); 10-Hakan Yakin (7-Ricardo Cabanas 85); 12-Eren Derdiyok
Portugal: 1-Ricardo; 13-Miguel, 15-Pepe, 3-Bruno Alves, 2-Paulo Ferreira (14-Jorge Ribeiro 41); 5-Fernando Meira, 18-Miguel Veloso (10-João Moutinho 70), 6-Raul Meireles; 19-Nani, 17-Ricardo Quaresma, 23-Hélder Postiga (9-Hugo Almeida 74)
Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)
Statistics:
| Shots on target : | 8 | - | 2 |
| Shots off target : | 6 | - | 4 |
| Ball possession (%) : | 48 | - | 52 |
| Corner kicks : | 5 | - | 2 |
| Offsides : | 1 | - | 6 |
| Fouls : | 27 | - | 26 |
| Yellow cards : | 4 | - | 4 |
| Red cards : | 0 | - | 0 |
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