MATCH 03 REVIEW : SWISS SATISFIED WITH STALEMATE

A frenetic, scrappy Group B opener in Leiria ended in a deadlocked goalless draw – and there can be no doubt that group outsiders Switzerland will have been more satisfied with a point than Croatia, who failed to make a one-man advantage count throughout the entire second half.

Determination and solidarity
What Switzerland lack in skill, they make up for with determination and solidarity. The men from the Alps certainly needed all their supplies of commitment to grab a deserved point after losing their midfield anchor man Johann Vogel for a second bookable offence just after the interval.

Technical edge
Croatia predictably had the edge technically. They also had their chances in the first half – Nenad Bjelica shooting straight at Swiss goalkeeper Jörg Stiel, and Niko Kovac and Ivica Mornar off-target with headers in a purposeful opening from Otto Baric's side. But Croatia's fire gradually subsided as the game wore on, and Switzerland must have been surprised to hold on with such comfort in the end.

'Positive result'
"It was a big loss to have Vogel sent off, but we have achieved a very positive result," said a relieved but satisfied Kuhn, who now prepares his men for the tougher confrontations ahead against the group's big guns, England and European champions France. "The Swiss team has made positive steps tonight and this is what counts. We had to struggle with ten players, but my team were excellent and we are looking forward with excitement to our next match."

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