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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:29 a.m., Thursday, June 12, 2008

Soccer: Portugal advances, Turkey also wins to stay alive

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Czech Republic's Tomas Sivok vie for the ball during the group A match between Czech Republic and Portugal in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Portugal defeated Czech Republic 3-1.

NIKLAS LARSSON | Associated Press

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Portugal moves on, and co-host Switzerland is done.

With one game remaining for each country — against each other, no less — the Portuguese and Swiss know their first-round fate at the European Championship.

Portugal became the first team to reach the quarterfinals, beating the Czech Republic 3-1 Wednesday and then advancing after Turkey defeated Switzerland 2-1 with a goal in injury time.

Portugal, which played in the Euro 2004 final and also made the World Cup semifinals two years ago, was the favorite in Group A and already lived up to that label. Cristiano Ronaldo, as expected, was the star, scoring one goal and setting up another in Geneva. The Manchester United winger scored his first for the national team since October in the 63rd minute to give the Portuguese a 2-1 lead.

"It was very difficult to penetrate the defense," Ronaldo said. "If we're carrying on playing like this as a unit, we've got great chances."

Deco gave Portugal the lead in the eighth minute, scoring from close range after Ronaldo and Nuno Gomes exchanged passes in the area. Libor Sionko equalized in the 17th, but Ronaldo put his team ahead in the second half off a brilliant feed from Deco, and Ricardo Quaresma tapped in from close range in injury time.

"We are among the best eight squads in Europe," said Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was announced as the next Chelsea manager shortly after the match. "Of course, we want more than that."

With both teams coming off wins in their openers, Portugal's impressive ball movement and free-flowing style gave it the edge throughout the match.

"They were able to make perfect transition from defense into offense," Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner said.

The Czechs play Turkey on Sunday in Geneva, and the winner would join Portugal in the quarterfinals.

Switzerland became only the second European Championship team to be eliminated from the tournament without reaching the final four, joining Euro 2000 co-host Belgium.

The Swiss played impressive football throughout a downpour in the first half, stringing together passes and keeping the ball off the soaked field and in the air as much as possible. But in injury time, Arda Turan sent a right-footed shot from outside the area that deflected in off Switzerland defender Patrick Mueller to give the Turks the win.

"Of course, the disappointment is huge," Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn said. "But I can't blame it on any player or anyone else. We lost twice unluckily."

Hakin Yakin had given the hosts the lead in the 32nd, tapping in a pass across the front of goal that got stuck in a puddle. The downpour ceased in the second half, and so did most of Switzerland's creativity. Instead, it was the Turks that started to dominate, and Semih Senturk equalized in the 57th by heading in a cross from Nihat Kahveci.

"It's not easy to come back from a goal down at the European Championship, considering we hit the woodwork once," Turkey coach Fatih Terim said. "But we fought a lot in the second half and we created many opportunities. God willing, we will win against Czech Republic and reach the next round."