European Championships - Group A news.

Czech Republic:

Czech Republic manager Karel Bruckner believes his side face a tough test against Turkey on Sunday as they attempt to clinch a place in the quarter-finals.

A draw would mean the prospect of a penalty shoot-out to determine who finishes as runners-up behind Portugal in Group A, and Bruckner is wary of the threat the Turks pose.

Bruckner said: "Turkey are capable of beating anyone in the world. They have technically gifted players, who create a lot of chances.

"We have to focus, give a display like in the first half against Portugal and decide the issue in 90 minutes.

"The match will be special, and very, very hard, but maybe there will be more opportunities.
"We'll be training for a possible penalty shootout, but that's not our major concern. Our goal is to play well, win and progress."

Captain Tomas Ujfalusi added: "We had been fighting for two years to qualify for the Euro.
"We just can't go home after the group phase. I can't accept that we wouldn't make (the quarter-finals). We have to trust in our abilities and play our best."

Turkey

Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel believes he will not be required to take part in a penalty shoot-out as his side is good enough to beat the Czech Republic on Sunday and qualify for the quarter-finals.

Both sides are level on points, goal difference and goals scored so, if Sunday's game between the two teams ends in a draw, a shoot-out will determine who will finish as runners-up in Group A behind Portugal.

Fenerbahce shot-stopper Volkan said: "If the game goes to penalties, I will do my best, but I am sure we will go through without needing a shoot-out. "The back four and I will have a tough task because the Czechs are a tall outfit, but our defenders play better against that sort of opposition.
"Our nation, our people, should believe in us because we have the capability. "It was bad luck to start the tournament with Portugal, but the victory (against Switzerland) was more important than my saves. "I hope we can continue this story, qualify for the quarter-finals and take it from there."

Switzerland:

Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn is desperate to go out on a high by beating Portugal in their final Group A game on Sunday.

The co-hosts can no longer qualify for the quarter-finals after losing to Czech Republic and Turkey, while Kuhn has announced the Portugal game will be his last in charge of his country.

"With a little bit more luck, the tournament could have been so much better, it's hard to bear," he admitted. "But all our players will want to sign off with a good display for the crowd."

Switzerland have yet to win a game in the history of the European Championship, and Kuhn is desperate to break that duck, adding: "Even before we went out, I had already thought that it would be a great achievement to get the country's first win at a Euro.

"Why not on Sunday against a Portugal side who have already qualified? "We have to look forward and give the Swiss supporters a high quality match."

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