In Group D's other game, reigning champions Greece showed the weakness of their one-dimensional defensive football when they went down 2-0 to Sweden. The Greeks were completely unable to attack in the normal way — when they had the ball and Sweden sat back, they just did not know what to do. Sweden deservedly beat them without playing too well themselves, though Zlatan Ibrahimovic's opening goal was the kind of spectacular thunderbolt that deserves to win any game on its own. Despite how poor Russia were defensively, I still feel they have a chance of progressing from this group, as Greece look a very poor side and Sweden are only a little better.
In Group A, co-hosts Switzerland were unlucky to go down 1-0 to the Czech Republic in the tournament's opening match. A late goal from substitute Vaclav Sverkos was enough to settle the result, which was harsh on a Swiss side that created much without having the cutting-edge to deliver an equaliser. That could be put down to the loss of captain and star striker Alexander Frei, whose tournament was ended by injury just before half-time. In the other match, a sharp-looking Portugal side beat Turkey 2-0, thanks to goals from centre-back Pepe and an injury-time clincher from Raul Meireles.
Finally, Group B provided the least excitement of them all. Germany comfortably beat Poland 2-0 in a match that was more interesting for the off-field politics and rivalry than for the actual football. Ironically, it was Polish-born striker Lukasz Podolski who scored both goals, and both of them were set up by Polish-born team-mate Miroslave Klose. Podolksi tried his best not to celebrate either goal too much out of respect for his opponents. In the other group match, Croatia squeezed a 1-0 victory over co-hosts Austria, thanks to a 4th-minute penalty from midfielder Luka Modric.
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