The Czechs must be kicking themselves. They were in complete control of the game, with Libor Sionko again impressive, and it was no surprise when Jan Koller got on to the end of a Grygera cross to head them into a first half lead. At that point I fancied the Czechs to romp to a 3-0 or 4-0 win and when Sionko set up the second goal for Placil it looked like it was all over. I even chose to repeat my wee hunch that the Czechs might even go all the way and win it. Duh!
Even when the Turks pulled a goal back 15 minutes from the end I expected the Czechs to respond by stepping up the pace but, as so often happens, once a team loses the momentum, they find it hard to get going again. Never mind, with Petr Cech in goal they'll be safe enough. Eh? The big fella doesn't make many mistakes but, when he does, they tend to be right roasters. Nihat Kahveci couldn't believe his luck when the ball dropped at his feet and, with the teams level on points and goal difference, it looked like a penalty-kick shoot-out was on the cards, giving Cech a chance to get back into the good books.
I watched the game in the Letham Hotel in Angus and, after Cech's howler, I nipped off for a single fish to get myself ready for the penalties. Oops. When I returned the bar was buzzing and I couldn't believe my eyes as they replayed the third goal. When the keeper was red-carded, I expected the Czechs to bombard his replacement but they just didn't get enough of the ball to do any damage.
So Turkey now find themselves facing Croatia in the quarter-finals and, having got out of jail so dramatically, they'll probably fancy their chances. But I can't see them surviving for too much longer. Croatia looked very tasty against Germany and I just hope I don't put the mockers on them by suggesting that they could do what I expected the Czechs to do and be genuine title contenders.
While the Turks were upsetting the Czechs, Portugal and Switzerland went through the motions in a meaningless game in Basel and, having rested so many of their top men, it was no surprise that the Portuguese went down 2-0 to enable the co-hosts to recapture a wee bit of self-respect. Two goals from Hakan Yakin, one from the penalty spot, did the trick and allowed veteran team manager Kobi Khun to bow out on a winning note.
Despite defeat, Portugal are group winners and are now likely to meet Germany in the last eight. While the Germans face a bit of a battle with Austria, the Portuguese will no doubt benefit from being able to leave so many star performers out of the Swiss game. There are certainly some very attractive games looming up on the horizon as we get towards the knock-out stages.
All of which has me rubbing my hands in anticipation of some real top quality fitba. Unlike so many big tournaments in the past, Euro2008 looks like living up to all expectations and seeing us through the summer, getting us back into the mood for the funny old game in the new season.
LITTLE BOY BLUE