Switzerland’s Johan Vonlanthen (L) controls the ball during the Euro 2008 Group A football match against Turkey in Basel, Switzerland, June 11, 2008. Turkey won 2-1. (Xinhua Photo)
BASEL, June 11 (Xinhua) — Pre-tournament favorites Portugal became the first team qualifying for the quarterfinals while co-hosts Switzerland the first to drop out at Euro 2008.
Substiture Ricardo Quaresma scored a dying-minute goal to help the 2004 runners-up to trounce the Czech Republic 3-1 in Geneva on Wednesday.
The Porto forward scored the quick free-kick work to catch the Czechs out in the first minute of the stoppage time, as Deco put Cristiano Ronaldo clear but the latter unselfishly squared for Quaresma to wrap up the game.
An eight-minute goal by veteran Deco and a cracking strike from Ronaldo on the 63rd minutes, however, had earlier put Portugal in ahead, though Libor Sionko’s header at 16 once denied the earlier lead of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side.
With the 3-1 win qualified for the quarterfinals thanks to Turkey’s 2-1 win over Switzerland later in another Group A match in Basel.
Arda Turan’s dramatic winner deep in injury time eliminated co-hosts Switzerland and revived Turkey’s Euro 2008 hope.
Switzerland and Turkey, both beaten on the first matchday of Euro 2008, struggled with downpour in the first half and Hakan Yakin put the Swiss team ahead at the 32nd minute with a rain-assisted goal.
Semih, however, was a prolific scorer from the bench for Fenerbahce this season and 12 minutes after his half-time introduction he repeated the trick for his nation.
It seemed the match would ended a draw but Arda refused to give up and his last minute goal sent Portugal qualify and Switzerland pack.
The Czech Republic and Turkey each had three points from one win against one loss. The Sunday’s final round match between the two teams will decide which will qualify after Portugal.
The Euro 2008 competitions will move to Austria on Thursday with Croatia taking on Germany in Klagenfurt and another co-hosts Austria playing Poland in Vienna.
Should Austria lose to Poland on Thursday, the two hosts of Euro 2008 will be both eliminated at group stage.