Source: Xinhua

06-16-2008 10:51

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

BASEL, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Co-hosts Switzerland bid a dramatic farewell to the European Championship with a 2-0 victory over Portugal here on Sunday thanks to a double scored by Hakan Yakin.

Switzerland's Valon Behrami (R) vies with Portugal's Paulo Ferreira  during the Euro 2008 Group A soccer match in Basel, Switzerland, June  15, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

A perfect-worked 71-minute goal and a penalty in the 83 minute by the Young Boys playmaker helped the Swiss beat Luiz Felipe Scolari's side in front of home fans at the St. Jakob Park in Basel.

With previous 14 efforts from the hosts having been blocked, Yakin broke the deadlock at 71 mark, thumping the ball past Portuguese goalie Ricardo after Eren Derdiyok's deftly flicked back pass flying into the path of Yakin.

The 31-year-old Yakin then converted a penalty with a left-footed shot to the top left corner after Tranquillo Barnetta was fouled by Fernando Meira in the box.

Just two minutes later, Yakin was substituted by Kuhn and cheered by home supporters while walking off the pitch, received as a hero of the European Championship co-host country.

Another touching scene was after the final whistle by Austrian referee Konrad Plautz, all the Swiss players walked onto the pitch with a banner reading "Merci Kobi" to say good-bye to their coach.