Comments on: Switzerland – Czech Republic 0-1 There couldn’t have been a worse start

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:54:32 +0000

Thanks a lot. I’m also confident! We have to win both though and start off beating Turkey 2-0 at least.

By: matarro

matarro — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:21:07 +0000

ok it wasn’t the best start but it’s not the end of the euro.u still got 2 games to go tru and for what i saw of the game i think u guys payed very nice football.
Portugal

By: Jan

Jan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:29:26 +0000

What vexed we were those mid-heights crosses from the wings. The Czechs are tall and those crosses were pretty pointless. Yakin and Barnetta are the only true international players from the point of view of quality and technique.

I think Kuhn has no choice concerning Derdiyok.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:42:57 +0000

I think, it’s a bit more ‘genious’ that we lack, rather than pragmatism. Our attacks were pretty direct and that was good to see. But we need somebody who comes up with the ‘little extra’. Personally, I believe that only Yakin has that. But that’s my subjective view.
It’s going to be interesting to see what Kuhn now does up front. We could still play with two strikers (Derdiyok and Vonlanthen) or a 4-4-1-1 (Vonlanthen and Yakin). I’m not sold yet on Derdiyok though – there’s no doubt that the boy has talent. But at the moment I’d say it’s just that (yet). We’ll see. But one thing is for sure: we’ll need to win by two or more on Wednesday now.

By: Jan

Jan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:25:14 +0000

Adrian:
I know, I remember the friendly against Brazil for example. Played way better but still lost. I guess we lack some pragmatism, the attitude the Czechs had yesterday. I agree with you concerning Streller, from now onwards I would leave Derdiyok in front with Vonlanthen and Yakin to assist him.

The second penalty was not a penalty in itself but considering the first bad call as a referee I would have given it to compensate, teaches the Czechs to keep their arms down .

I also believe we can beat the Turks but also for them, it’s either a win or a loss. The Portuguese are going to be a hard task, let’s hope they beat the Czechs on Wednesday.

Ralf:
I can’t believe it was Frei who got injured. Frei or Muller, the two players who just didn’t deserve to get injured. And it happened. As I wrote in this post, I believe Nemesis is against us. Unbelievable game yesterday, had we not lost Frei it could have been a different story.

Kuna:
I understand, and I congratulate the Czechs for their excellent defence. Honestly, I would have wanted the Czechs and the Swiss to qualify from this group but you kind of ruined our party yesterday. I know football goes this way but the injury was too much to cope with.

Aicha:
We have to win on Wednesday. No time to make silly calculations. It’s either a win or nothing.

Thanks for your comments

By: Arben

Arben — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 08:21:18 +0000

Well to be honest I really think that Switzerland didnt deserved to loose against such a weak Cech team.All the respect for the young players they really did fight till the end especially Valon Behrami.He really did had some nice actions and I just wish Switzerland to wing against Turkey and at least a draw against Portugal and with some luck to qualify for the next round.
Best wishes from the youngest state in the world Republic of Kosova

By: Adrian

Adrian — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:08:21 +0000

Yeah, it was a tough start. It’s a game in the fashion of all the Nati games I grew up with: played well, lost anyway. I’m used to it by now.
Frei has a partial tear of a ligament in the knee – he’ll be out for 6 weeks.
Personally, I belive we can score goals even without Frei. Our problem is usually rather getting in front of goal. We had our chances yesterday…didn’t take them…and yeah, that’s football.
Koebi has to stop starting with Streller. People don’t whistle at him because he’s from Basel…they whistel because nobody in Switzerland understands why he’s in the starting formation.
As for the penalties: the sencond one is clearly no penalty. The ball touches the arm, yes – but the arm was and stayed on the body. No movement, no intention, no penatly. The first situation…hm…could probably be given. But Barnetta takes the shot and Vonlanthen the rebound. They played on and discussions about a penalty are invain.
Ah well, we can definitely beat the Turks. Problem is, that we also need to beat the Portuguese to qualify for the next round, and that is definitely going to be a big ask.

By: kuna

kuna — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:43:09 +0000

Nice work, 3 points… I remember thousands of matches, which did not won the better team…. (for example: Czech – Greece 0:1, semifinal, Euro 2004) Soccer is played on the goals, no goals – no win…
Czech supporter

By: Aicha

Aicha — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:06:37 +0000

Good luck on wednesday! My husband is Swiss, and it hurts seeing him upset. I realy hope Frei gets well asap.

By: Ralf

Ralf — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:06:27 +0000

When Frei fell on the ground i thought that was, as you say “nichts besonderes”, a one-off… When i saw him crying i thought it was over…
Please, I would give anything for Frei to get well soon. I have been watching this match straight from Thailand, and I have been expectng anything but that injury. It’s a shame that this little mistake happened and the Czech won, even though it was kind of unexpected. Let’s pray for Alex to get well soon.

PS: I’m Swiss