The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Switzerland

Switzerland have been left with a mountain to climb at Euro 2008 but head coach Jakob Kuhn insists his side can recover from a heartbreaking defeat to the Czech Republic in the tournament's opening match.

Having dominated for long periods, the Swiss were floored by Vaclav Sverkos's superbly taken but scarcely deserved late winner for the Czechs on Saturday evening.

The disappointing end to an evening that promised so much more was compounded for the co- hosts by the loss of captain and leading goalscorer Alexander Frei to an injury that ended his involvement in the tournament.

All Swiss interest in the competition will almost certainly be extinguished if Kuhn's men lose to Turkey here on Wednesday, but Kuhn was defiantly optimistic about his side's chances of emerging from a first-round group that also includes Portugal.

"I told them they can leave the stadium with their heads held high," Kuhn said. "Now we have to forget about this game and concentrate on the next match, against Turkey.