Tonight sees the first dual clash with Czech Republic playing Turkey whilst Switzerland host Portugal. With Portugal through as Group Winners, all eyes will be on Geneva. We could
potentially have a first in Group qualification with the fact that should tonight’s game end in a draw, we will go straight into a penalty shoot out to decide who finishes runners up in the group. I hope we don’t come to that and the game is completely decided before the final whistle is blown.
It’s looking more and more likely that the Czechs will revert to playing Koller and Baros together up front. This tournament has really shown just how much quality they’ve lost from midfield with the retirements of Nedved, Berger, Smicer, Poborsky and the injury to Rosicky. They’ve played a game that is based on midfielders bursting forward to link up with the front man, but the quality simply hasn’t been there.
Turkey also may look to starting the game with the team that finished the 2-1 victory that eliminated the Swiss as coach Fatih Terim looks to guide the Turks through. 
He made a tactically brilliant change at half time to swing the
game in their favour and Terim has often been underrated as a coach, the disappointing spell as coach of AC Milan perhaps diluting his achievements at Fiorentina and Galatasaray and his first stint as national coach.
Turkey certainly looked back to their best in the second half against the Swiss and this game is make or break for both coaches. I’m going to go for a 1-0 win for the Czech Republic tonight, which will then lead them to a potential clash with Germany in the Quarter Finals.
Tonight’s other game will probably gives us a chance to see the players on the fringes of the Portuguese squad, with Queresma, Almeida and Nani expected to start. Switzerland will be playing for pride tonight but know that their opponents will have several players trying to prove to Phil Scolari that they deserve a chance of being in his first choice XI. Whilst it would be nice for the Swiss to get anything out of this, I can’t see them beating Portugal and think it could be a 3-0 defeat for the Swiss.
Come on, this is 101 mistake: winner of Turkey-Czech will play not Croatia, not Germany.
Game just kicked off: and the Turks are going to win.
I mean, Croatia, not Germany.
What Turkey did was superb: they deserved it! Monster of a game! No other sport can offer this !EVER!!!
Credit to Turkiye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The referee has mental issues: I wouldn’t let him smell the field again! Criminal! Shame since Volcan is a great goalie. That is why teams such as England can never win a big tournament: with all the talent, they have the wrong, loser mentality. Maybe Capello can change this. And, yeah: England not being at this tournament is the best thing to happen to Euro’08.
this whole article was a mistake starting with the statement that the turkey-czech winner will play germany and finishing with the predictions for both games. way off. these predictions are pointless.
Well, with 15 minutes to go, Turkey were out but all credit to them, especially with the issue of trying to get the substitute on as the Czech’s made it 2-0. Turkey were magnificent and the game against CROATIA should be a belter.