In every major tournament there is one match that leaves you shocked, stunned and not a little amazed. Euro 2008’s arrived last night.
As comebacks go, this was pretty spectacular. 2 - 0 down with 15 minutes to go and not even the most passionate Turkish fan – and there are a few of those around – would have believed they could turn it round.
And, even when they pulled one back the odds were stacked against them as the clock ticked down and the Czechs began making their plans for the next round.
Step up Petr Cech and a moment that will haunt him forever. Going for a routine cross he not only fumbled it but, in a fit of spectacular generosity, laid it at the feet of Turkish star Nihat Kahveci who wasn’t going to miss from a couple of yards out.
For a moment I wondered if maybe, just maybe, there hadn’t been some horrible mix up in the Czech dressing room and it was David James under the headgear. Flapping at crosses is, after all, one of James’ specialities. As is handing the ball to opponents.
But no, the close ups clearly showed it was the Chelsea goalkeeper himself who had, in one moment of stupidity, done irrepairable damage to his previously umblemished reputation.
At that point we were heading for penalties, something that was previously unheard of in group games.
Until Nihat, buoyed by his previous bit of good forutne, beat the offside trap and curled an absolute screamer into the top of the net.
The turnaround was complete. And Euro 2008 finally had a match of which it could be truly proud.
In the other game we saw a precedent set that will strike fear into the hearts of Italy and France: Portugal dropped no less that eight first team regulars and promptly handed Switzerland their first ever win in the European Cup finals.
If Holland take a similar approach to their final group game tomorrow, and the indications coming from the Dutch camp are that they will, then it could all be over for the World Champions and the 2006 runners-up. And Romania will be laughing all the way to the quarter-finals.
Tonight’s games provide us with the unlikely sight of Germany fighting for their Euro 2008 future. They have to beat Austria to be sure of going through after they somehow contrived to lose to Croatia last time out.
In fairness it probably won’t be that much of a fight considering who they are up against, but it is still suprising that the Germans, having looked so convincing in their opening game, are not comfortably through already.
The Austrians on the other hand also have a slim chance of going through if they manage to do the unthinkable and beat their neighbours. Somehow I can’t see that happening, unless the Germans borrow Petr Cech for the evening.