Portugal's Raul Meireles (right) reacts with fellow team member Joao Moutinho (second left) after scoring the second goal during the Group A match between Portugal and Turkey in Geneva yesterday. Portugal won 2-0. - AP

VIENNA, Austria (AP):

GROUP A favourites Portugal and the Czech Republic recorded wins yesterday on the opening day of the European Championship, putting both teams on the way to the quarter-finals.

Portugal had a goal from Pepe disallowed for offside in the first half, but the defender put in another in the second half to help the 2006 World Cup semi-finalists to a 2-0 win over Turkey in Geneva. Raul Meireles added the second goal in injury time.

Beating the offside trap

The Czechs spoiled co-hosts Switzerland's party with a 1-0 win in Basel when Vaclav Sverkos scored his first international goal in the 71st minute in only his third appearance. Sverkos ran on to Tomas Galasek's header after beating the offside trap and finished to the left of goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

"It was the best moment of my football career," Sverkos said. "I'd be happy to score more goals."

Worse for Switzerland, the team lost influential captain and record scorer Alexander Frei. The 28-year-old striker injured his right knee in a collision with Czech defender Zdenek Grygera and was taken off the field in tears shortly before half-time. He returned to the bench on crutches.

"It's a disaster, of course, to lose our captain in the first game the way we did," Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn said.

Today, Germany play Poland in Klagenfurt, while co-hosts Austria face Croatia in Vienna.

The Czechs will next face Portugal on Wednesday in Geneva, while Switzerland and Turkey play in Basel.