Group A of UEFA Euro 2008 featured dramatic last-minute Turkish victories and Switzerland's early elimination as co-hosts.
Key Facts
- Group stage dates
- 7 to 15 June 2008
- Venues
- Basel and Geneva, Switzerland
- Group winner
- Portugal (5 goals in first two games)
- Quarter-final qualifier
- Turkey, despite finishing with 10 men vs Czech Republic
- First team eliminated
- Switzerland, after two group stage losses
- Notable match
- Switzerland vs Turkey dubbed the 'Bath of Basel'
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
UEFA Euro 2008 was co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, with Group A assigned entirely to Swiss venues. The group drew co-hosts Switzerland alongside Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Turkey, setting up a competitive pool where three teams vied for two quarter-final spots.
Portugal qualified as group winners after defeating Turkey and the Czech Republic. Switzerland were eliminated early, losing to both the Czech Republic and Turkey. The decisive Turkey vs Czech Republic match saw Turkey overturn a two-goal deficit in the final minutes through Nihat Kahveci's brace, before finishing with ten outfield players and a field player in goal.
Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals as group winners, while Turkey's stunning comeback secured their second spot despite losing goalkeeper Volkan Demirel to a red card. Switzerland became the first team eliminated from the tournament, and the group's dramatic finale set the tone for Turkey's run of late victories throughout the competition.