Greetings from the Stade de Geneve where Portugal and the Czech Republic are about to kick off in search of a probable place in the Euro 2008 quarter finals and bragging rights to Group A.
It has been a warm and sunny day by the Alps with both sets of colourful fans bringing the French-speaking city to life. In case anything bad happens, 1200 gendarmes from across the border are roaming around town.
The game should be an interesting contrast of styles between the silky Portuguese and sinous Czechs. "We have to make the most of our technical qualities," Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said pre-game, while opposite number Karel Bruckner has upped the ante by labelling Portugal "quite predictable."
Bruckner has left out target man Jan Koller, leaving Milan Baros alone up front, while Portugal are unchanged from the team which beat Turkey 2-0.
For the Lusitanians, revenge for Karel Poborsky's memorable wedge chip which eliminated them from Euro 1996 could be in the offing.
(c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile