Basel: Turkey sent co-hosts Switzerland sliding out of Euro 2008 in the cruellest possible way on Wednesday when a stoppage-time goal from Arda Turan secured a 2-1 victory in an enthralling group A match (as briefly reported in Thursday’s Late City edition).

The Swiss fans were just about to applaud a draw that would have kept their team in contention when Arda curled in the winner.

The victory was a measure of revenge for the Turks because the last time they met Switzerland, in a World Cup qualifying play-off in 2005 in Istanbul, the Swiss went through on the away goals rule and the match ended in a brawl.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Turkey coach Fatih Terim. “The players need it for their confidence and I congratulate them.”

Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn said: “It’s a very, very big disappointment. You hope for so much and go all out. But at the end of the day it's not enough. That’s football.”

TEAMS

Turkey: Volkan Demirel; Hamit Altintop, Emre Asik, Servet Cetin, Hakan Balta; Gokdeniz Karadeniz (Semih Senturk 46), Tumer Metin (Mehmet Topal 46), Mehmet Aurelio, Arda Turan; Tuncay Sanli, Nihat Kahveci (Kazim Kazim 85).

Switzerland: Diego Benaglio; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Patrick Mueller, Philippe Senderos, Ludovic Magnin; Valon Behrami, Gokhan Inler, Gelson Fernandes (R. Cabanas 76), Tranquillo Barnetta (J. Vonlanthen 66); Hakan Yakin (D. Gygax 85); Eren Derdiyok.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Svk).