Diary / Jonathan Wilson / 08 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Our diarist was mightily impressed by the performance of Ronaldo and co last night

So, the first day over and already the sense that we may have seen the eventual champions. It wasn't just that Portugal [6.6] managed to look both authoritative and as though they still have much more to give, it was also the sense that they will enjoy support just as passionate and not that much less extensive as they had back on home soil four years ago.

Geneva is home to Switzerland's largest Portuguese population, and even walking through the town before the game, it was striking how many balconies and windows were adorned with Portuguese flags. In the sandwich shop 10 minutes from the stadium where we tried to buy lunch - thwarted by the fact that they'd somehow managed to run out of bread around eight hours before kick-off - one of the apologetic women behind the counter had small Portuguese flags painted on her cheeks. "This is a big day for us," she said. Slightly too big, apparently, at least for their ovens.

That wasn't the only example of Switzerland's organisation going cuckoo rather than running like clockwork. "It's meant to be their one redeeming feature," as one journalist said, slightly harshly, for already there are signs that Switzerland will come out this tournament as the Germans did two years ago, with their reputation for relentless efficiency tarnished, but seeming far more human as a result.

What problems there have been have been broadly insignificant, but there is a general sense that nobody quite realised what it means to host a major tournament. Everything feels just a little too small, from the stadiums to the mixed zones (where journalists can grab a few words with players after the game) to the capacity of the coffee machine in the press area.

There were fewer than 30,000 in the Stade de Geneve yesterday which, frankly, seems rather too few for a major championship. What that did mean, though, was that the place was packed and, at least until midway through the second half when it became apparent that Portugal were going to win, the atmosphere bubbling. Plenty of Turkish fans live in Switzerland as well but, judging by the registration plates of the cars that were parked outside the ground yesterday, stereos blaring, passengers hanging out of windows waving flags, many have come from Germany to support their team.

Still, they must have been outnumbered about two to one by the Portuguese and that perhaps helped Portugal retain their cool in that first hour as it began to seem they would not score whatever they did.

"I think we have a big advantage in the first stage because of the fact we are in Geneva," said the Manchester United winger Nani.

"In Geneva we have the support of so many Portuguese emigrants and that is very important because it is almost be like playing at home. The fans were fantastic. Only later in the tournament, if we get through, will we have to play in different places.

"Our group is very competitive. Switzerland are dangerous because they play at home and the Czech Republic because they have a high level in Europe. Getting through the group phase is our first objective. It will be a key test for our ambitions for the tournament. But we have made a good start."

Their coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, spoke of being 50 per cent of the way to qualification for the quarter-finals [1.1], but that, surely, is the least of their ambitions. "When the team plays with that dynamism and keeps their shape there is no reason to criticise them even if they do not win," he said. "We showed a very good technical and physical level."

Cristiano Ronaldo may have been only fitfully impressive, but Deco - a far slimmer figure that we had been led to believe - and Joao Moutinho - showing just why he edged Maniche out of the squad - were both excellent. Even Nuno Gomes suggested that he might be able to drag himself somewhere near the levels he reached in Euro 2000, even if he was as unlucky as ever.

A bright opening hinted that Turkey [5.1 to qualify] could yet upset Switzerland or the Czech Republic, but from Portugal this was a marker laid down for the rest to follow.

Tags: Group A, Portugal, Turkey