Euro 2008 latest: Switzerland v Czech Republic

Final score: Switzerland 0 Czech Republic 1

18:51: The Czechs survive a big penalty appeal in the dying seconds, as the ball appears to strike the arm of captain Ujfalusi just inside the area, but referee Rosetti waves play on, before blowing the final whistle moments later.

18:48: The Czech's make their final substitution, as Kovac comes on for Jarolim.

18:47: Magnin's cross is met by Derdiyok, but the substitute heads over the bar.

18:40: Both sides make a substitution - Derdiyok finally gets his chance, as Behrami comes off, and Vlcek replaces Czech midfielder Sionko.

Czech Republic striker Vaclav Sverkos (10) scores the opening goal of the tournament

18:37: Volanthen is in the action again, and this time he fluffs an opportunity to equalise - crashing his close-range shot against the bar after Barnetta's original effort had been superbly kept out by Cech.

18:33: Volanthen's doesn't make the greatest of starts - his very first contribution is to earn a yellow card for a cynical foul on Jarolim.

18:32: Switzerland make a substitute in the hope of turning things around, as Volanthen comes on in place of Lichtsteiner.

18:27 GOAL: The opening goal of Euro 2008 goes to the Czech Republic, and it's substitute Sverkos who grabs the accolade, latching on to a hopeful ball forward and beating Swiss goalkeeper Benaglio with a low shot that slices off the outside of his right boot and finds the bottom corner of the net.

18:24: Frei appears from the tunnel on crutches to support his team from the bench - something he might have to get used to in the coming weeks.

Switzerland's Ludovic Magnin becomes the first player to be booked at Euro 2008

18:23: It's Switzerland's turn to miss a sitter, as a cross from the right finds the unmarked Yakin, who somehow directs his header wide of the target from eight yards out.

18:21: After Barnetta's foul on Plasil, Jankulovski fires a curling 25-yard free-kick over the bar.

18:19: A cross from the right is volleyed high over the bar by Barnetta.

18:16: The first yellow card of the tournament goes to Swiss defender Magnin for a needless foul on Sionko. From the resulting free-kick, Sionko wastes a golden opportunity to open the scoring, completely missing his header from six yards out.

18:14: A surprise substitution for the Czech Republic, as little replaces large - Sverkos coming on for Koller.

18:07: Yakin is doing his best to fill Frei's shoes - winning a free-kick on the edge of the box and then dusting himself down to curl it just over the bar.

Switzerland captain Alexander Frei trudges off in floods of tears after being forced off with a knee injury

18:02: Switzerland kick off the second half, in a front of a noticeably quieter crowd following the loss of their talismanic captain. Eren Derdiyok had been stripped off to replace Frei as the half-time whistle blew, but it's Hakan Yakin who eventually comes on as the chosen substitute.

17:46: Half-time: Switzerland 0 Czech Republic 0.

17:45: The influential Frei is in floods of tears as he is led off by Swiss medical staff, wearing an ice pack on his knee and facing up to the possibility that his Euro 2008 tournament may be over already.

17:42: Frei is left pole-axed following a fairly innocuous challenge in the centre of the field. To the relief of the Basle crowd, the Swiss captain gets to his feet, but looks in pain as he limps off.

17:36: Frei unleashes a swerving 30-yard effort that Cech can only palm back out to Streller, but an offside flag rescues the Czech Republic.

17:35: A dangerous cross from Czech winger Plasil on the left is narrowly missed by the giant frame of Jan Koller.

Swiss defender Philippe Senderos goes up against Czech giant Jan Koller

17:32: Switzerland's Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes is warned by the referee following a couple of mistimed challenges on his opponents.

17:21: Frei breaks free in the area following a long, bouncing clearance, but Cech rushes out to clear the danger - and manages to injure his own defender in the process.

17:19: The Swiss are looking the more dangerous side, and midfielder Inler goes close with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that is saved by Cech.

17:15: Behrami fires an angled 25-yard shot that is safely held by Cech.

17:07: A cleverly worked short-corner comes to nothing for the Czech Republic as the Swiss defence clear their lines.

17:02: The hosts produce the first shot of the tournament, as Swiss striker Frei breaks away and fires a 20-yard effort just wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post.

17:00hrs: After a colourful and interesting opening ceremony, featuring milkmaids and inflatable cows, the Czech Republic kick-off to get the 2008 European Championship finals underway.

Czech Republic midfielder David Jarolim (left) and Switerland's Gokhan Inler challenge for the ball

Teams:
Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Muller, Senderos, Magnin, Behrami, Inler, Gelson, Barnetta, Frei, Streller. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Jakupovic, Djourou, Huggel, Cabanas, Yakin, Derdiyok, Grichting, Gygax, Spycher, Vonlanthen, Degen.

Czech Republic: Cech, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Grygera, Plasil, Polak, Galasek, Jarolim, Sionko, Koller. Subs: Blazek, Zitka, Kovac, Fenin, Sverkos, Vlcek, Pospech, Kadlec, Baros, Matejovsky, Sivok, Skacel.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)