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Picture 49 min: Koller gives Czechs the lead (Getty Images)

CZECH REPUBLIC v DENMARK MIN-BY-MIN

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By Peter May

FULL-TIME: CZECH REPUBLIC 3 DENMARK 0

90 mins: Full-time in Porto with Czech Republic comfortable winners. Karel Bruckner's side did not match the standards set in Group D but won through thanks to Jan Koller capitalising on an error from Martin Laursen before Milan Baros' devastating two-goal salvo settled matters. It was tough on Denmark who enjoyed the better of a poor first half but the Czechs proved the adage that errors are punished at the highest level.

89 mins: Laursen is penalised for a foul on Koller in the centre circle. Aston Villa's newest recruit is just waiting for the full-time whistle after a disappointing evening.

88 mins: The Czech Republic toy with their opponents, retaining possession with ease.

87 mins: Rommedahl is flagged offside as he tries to make space on the right.

86 mins: Rommedahl picks out Madsen at the far post but a challenge from Grygera proves a distraction and he again heads over the bar from a promosing position.

85 mins: Peter Lovenkrands replaces Jorgensen.

84 mins: Heinz runs at the Danish defence on the left and wins a corner from Laursen. Nedved takes the ball short and receives a return. His pull-back from the edge picks out Poborsky on the edge of the area and the midfielder lifts a clever chip over the bar.

83 mins: The game continues to amble to a conclusion with the result accepted on all sides.

82 mins: Helveg is injured in a challenge with Heinz.

81 mins: Jorgensen, Gravesen and Tomasson try to work openings down the left but find the Czech defence equal to the task.

80 mins: Rommedahl immediately makes an impact down the right, crossing to the far post but Madsen's knockdown is cleared.

79 mins: Dennis Rommedahl replaces Gronkjaer for Denmark.

78 mins: A left-wing cross picks out Madsen eight yards out and the unmarked substitute heads over, a final confirmation that there is no way back for Denmark.

77 mins: Gravesen catches Heinz's heels in the centre circle and receives a yellow card. The Everton midfielder continues to pointlessly and groundlessly complain.

76 mins: Rosicky runs out of options so passes it backwards and the Czechs go all the way back to Cech to delighted cheers from their fans.

75 mins: Czech Republic push on through Rosicky.

74 mins: The game has lost its urgency now with the result as good as settled.

73 mins: The corner initially comes to nothing but Madsen then gets a shot off from Tomasson's pass, though Cech saves with relative ease.

72 mins: Gronkjaer breaks into the right-hand side of the area and plays a great one-two with Tomasson. He reaches the corner of the six-yard box but lifts his cross within Cech's reach and the ball is tipped over. Jorgensen was free at the far post but again simplicity evades Gronkjaer.

71 mins: Baros is replaces by Marek Heinz while Peter Madsen is introduced at Jensen's expense.

70 mins: Jorgensen continues to star for Denmark, delivering another dangerous cross which Cech does well to take.

69 mins: Brilliant work from Jorgensen wins a left-wing corner but the set-piece is totally wasted after being taken short.

68 mins: Baros tries to get into another shooting position with Helveg in attendance but sees the effort blocked.

67 mins: The game re-starts.

65 mins: GOAL BAROS. Bolf is replaced by David Rosenhal and the Czechs push forward. Nedved collects the ball in a central position 35 yards out and puts Baros through with a wonderful diagonal ball. The Liverpool striker takes the ball onto his left foot and fires a shot past the helpless Sorensen.

64 mins: The game re-starts.

63 mins: GOAL BAROS. Poborsky's clever through ball frees Baros off the shoulder of Henriksen on the right of the area. The Liverpool striker runs through before lifting the ball over Sorensen with the deftest of touches.

62 mins: The Czechs work the ball up the right through Grygera and Poborsky.

61 mins: Denmark work the ball up field as far as Jorgensen and his cross is threatening but the unsupported Tomasson is beaten to the ball by Cech.

60 mins: Nedved tries to get past Gronkjaer and is dispossessed. The Chelsea winger runs the ball out of defence but falls to ground as he passes the Czech skipper and wins a free-kick. Nedved is astounded as there was no contact but the referee has been fooled.

59 mins: Tomasson feeds Jorgensen on the left of the area and the winger's fierce shot is well blocked by Grygera. Nedved returns to the field of play after being injured after an off-field collision with the water bottle crates. Koller is floored in midfield by a late challenge from Poulsen.

58 mins: Nedved is floored and receiving treatment as Jorgensen tries and fails to get past Grygera.

57 mins: Sorensen shows good bravery and judgement to punch the curled set-piece from the head of Nedved at the far post.

56 mins: Poborsky tries to get in behind Bogelund from Rosicky's sublime pass and the defender pulls the winger down. He is cautioned and the Czechs have free-kick on the corner of the area.

55 mins: Jorgensen's good work down the left ends with a delivately lifted cross but Jankulovski gets across to distract Tomasson with a challenge eight yards out.

54 mins: Ujfalusi's punted clearance seeks Baros but the Liverpool striker has drifted offside.

53 mins:Tomasson tries to control Laursen's 40-yard pass under pressure from Bolf but is penalised for handling the ball.

52 mins: Denmark try to edge up on the right but Jankulovski and Nedved work hard to close the space and a seemingly endless chain of midfield throw-ins results.

51 mins: The game re-starts.

49 mins: GOAL KOLLER. Poborsky picks out Koller 10 yards out and he has stolen a yard from Laursen as Sorensen starts to leave his line before checking the move. The striker heads into the unguarded net with ease and the Czechs lead through the cheapest of goals.

48 mins: Bolf's long ball is won by Koller and the Czechs enjoy rare possession in the final third. They work the ball beautifully, Poborsky, Rosicky and Nedved exchanging clever passes which culminates in the skipper winning a right-wing corner.

47 mins: Baros gets his head down and sprints down the right, Laursen's sliding tackle concedes a corner. The set-piece delivery is typically poor and Bogelund clears at the near post.

46 mins: Jensen is tripped by Ujfalusi on halfway and Denmark have a free-kick. The ball is played wide to Gronkjaer on the right and his cross is predictably inadequate, clearing Jorgensen at the far post.

45 mins: Denmark kick off the second period with both teams unchanged.

Half-time: Czech Republic 0 Denmark 0

45 mins: Half-time whistle blows. Morten Olsen's decision to replace absent striker Ebbe Sand with midfielder Claus Jensen has not benefited this game as a spectacle. Jon Dahl Tomasson famously failed at Newcastle after being deployed as a target man and he has struggled in reprising the role this evening; Denmark have hardly tested Petr Cech and the AC Milan striker has too often been left isolated. Thomas Sorensen has been the marginally busier goalkeeper despite his side's dominance in midfield but the presence of an extra man has stifled the creative instincts of Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky. Unless the quality of either side's final-ball delivery improves, it is very difficult to discern a winner from this uninspiring offering.

45 mins: Czech Republic break and Poborsky catches the Danish defence AWOL. The winger gets away from Laursen but ignores Koller, delivering a cross which bounces along the top of the bar and away to safety.

45 mins: Jensen's shot drives straight into the wall and the ball is hacked clear.

45 mins: Tomasson receives a bad challenge from behind from Ujfalusi and the defender is cautioned. Free-kick 25 yards out in the inside-right channel.

44 mins: Jensen makes a run down the right to receive the set-piece but slips in trying to deliver a cross. Goal-kick.

43 mins: Denmark are happy to keep the ball across defence and Laursen eventually draws a foul from Nedved.

42 mins: Gravesen concedes a free-kick for a high arm in competing for an aerial ball. The set-piece is too far out for a shot and the Czechs take short before passing all the way back to Cech. Bruckner's side have disappointed thus far.

41 mins: Ujfalusi knocks the ball forward but Koller's knockdown runs away from Nedved.

40 mins: Jensen gets free on the right but again offers a cross which Cech is able to catch.

39 mins: Grygera comes on in place of Jiranek who has been carried away on a stretcher.

38 mins: Gronkjaer's pace takes him past Jankulovski but the final ball is again poor and Cech is able to catch.

37 mins: Play re-starts.

36 mins: The game is stopped because Jiranek requires treatment after falling to the ground unchallenged.

35 mins: Gronkjaer and Jensen try to attack down the right but find the route blocked and are forced to switch the play in search of an opening.

34 mins: Galasek tries to spark the Czech midfield into life but Poulsen intercepts and Sorensen continues to enjoy the quiet life.

33 mins: The midfield battle continues with Denmark still the better team.

32 mins: The set-piece again comes to nothing as final delivery from both teams continues to leave a lot to be desired.

31 mins: Again Denmark's attacking intent keeps Czech defenders on halfway and again the ball falls to Gravesen. Denmark cannot clear, however, and Rosicky breaks into the left of the area to win another corner.

30 mins: Bogelund horribly miscues the ball from 35 yards out, conceding a corner in bizarre fashion.

29 mins: Denmark pass the ball around in midfield, another sign of their growing assurance.

28 mins: Czech Republic win a free-kick in midfield and throw men into the area. Koller wins the first ball but two defenders the second and the danger passes.

27 mins: Tomas Rosicky and Jankulovski try to make an opening but Denmark are defending with ever-increasing solidity.

26 mins: Jorgensen breaks in from the right and looks for a one-two with Tomasson. The Milan striker's backheel is intercepted but Denmark sustain the pressure with Gronkjaer released on the left of the area. He has a shooting chance but hesitates and is forced wide, the cross is blocked out to the off-balance Gravesen 15 yards out who hits an optimistic volley high over the bar.

25 mins: Gronkjaer, back on the left, gets past Jiranek but overhits his cross. A criminal lack of final ball from both sides this evening.

24 mins: Denmark push on down the left and win a throw. Gravesen takes long and Rene Bolf completely misses his header but Tomas Ujfalusi and Nedved combine to clear.

23 mins: The penalty area is sparsely populated as Denmark leave up three forwards and the Czechs four covering defenders. The set-piece is any case disappointing, flying over the area for Gravesen to control and clear.

22 mins: Jiranek travels 15 yards unchallenged before unleashing a 25-yard shot, deflected wide of the post. Poborsky takes the corner short before winning another right-wing set-piece.

21 mins: Attractive, fast build-up from Denmark allows Helveg a crossing chance but the delivery is poor.

20 mins: Nedved does well to start an attack down the left but Koller's control again lets him down; the under-pressure striker has done himself few favours thus far.

19 mins: The ball is swung into the area by Jensen and Poulsen's header flies narrowly over the bar from 15 yards out.

18 mins: Jorgensen, now on the left, is tackled by Koller 30 yards out and the referee wrongly sees an infringement.

17 mins: Gronkjaer and Jensen work well together down the right but Jankulovski works hard to prevent a crossing opportunity and the eventual delivery is poor.

16 mins: Baros again poses a threat, collecting the ball on the left before cutting inside and driving a weak shot low to Sorensen's right.

15 mins: Jensen and Gronkjaer work the ball on the left to create a shooting chance for Poulsen but the effort is blocked.

14 mins: The Czechs have started much the better; Tomasson famously failed at Newcastle because he was asked to play as a target man, a role he is reprising with similar effect in Sand's absence this evening.

13 mins: Nedved's left-wing progress is halted by a brilliant Poulsen tackle. The throw is unsurprisingly to the Czech captain and he squares the ball to the on-rushing Thomas Galasek who fires just wide of Sorensen's left-hand post from 25 yards out with the goalkeeper diving at full stretch.

12 mins: Baros spearheads a direct attack, breaking into the right-hand side of the area. Laursen cannot get back to cover and Bogelund slides in with a hard back-pass which Sorensen can only kick away to the right. Karel Poborsky's cross is headed over by Koller.

11 mins: The free-kick comes to nothing, taken short and promptly intercepted.

10 mins: Jankulovski fouls the overlapping Helveg 35 yards out and receives a booking. A harsh decision, designed perhaps to limit the petty fouls which have dominated thus far.

9 mins: Denmark continue to struggle to find space in midfield - the brilliant attacking midfield trident deployed by Bruckner also works terrifically hard.

8 mins: Jiranek fouls Bogelund in the Danish half as the fragmented nature of the game continues to prevail.

7 mins: Denmark try to attack down the left through Gronkjaer but find the Chelsea winger well shackled.

6 mins: Marek Jankulovski's left-wing cross is met by Jiranek at the far post and headed back across goal. Baros meets the ball on the full volley but slices the half-chance well wide under pressure from 12 yards.

5 mins: Koller heads clear from the set-piece and Bogelund concedes a goal-kick in trying to sustain the pressure.

4 mins: Nedved's curling right-foot shot is not a formality for Thomas Sorensen but the keeper gets down well to his right to smother at the foot of the post. Denmark counter and Jesper Gronkjaer wins a left-wing corner from Jiranek.

3 mins: The Czech Republic look to launch their first attack but are stopped when Milan Baros is fouled in midfield by Martin Laursen. From the re-start the Liverpool striker wins a second free-kick from Thomas Helveg on the corner of the penalty area.

2 mins: The Danes cannot break down their opponents' defence and a goal-kick results.

1 min: Denmark start in the ascendancy, Thomas Gravesen orchestrating good midfield pressure.

0 mins: Czech Republic kick off in all white, their opponents in all red.

Pre-match: Denmark striker Ebbe Sand fails a late fitness test and is omitted from the side to face the Czech Republic in a Euro 2004 quarter-final at the Estadio do Dragao. Sand has been struggling with a buttock strain and is unable to link up in attack with Jon Dahl Tomasson while as expected Niclas Jensen is also unfit - he has a gashed shin. There is better news for Martin Jorgensen, pronounced fit despite his own injury worries, while Claus Jensen and Christian Poulsen bolster the starting line-up. Czech boss Karel Bruckner keeps faith with giant striker Jan Koller despite indicating on the eve of the match that he might hand a starting berth to Marek Heinz who has scored twice so far in the tournament. Otherwise the strong Czech team - the only one of the 16 finalists to win all three pool matches - is almost the same that started the tournament although at right-back Martin Jiranek replaces Zdenek Grygera as first choice. The victor will play surprise package Greece in Thursday's semi-final, also at the Estadio do Dragao.

Teams
Czech Republic: Cech, Jiranek, Ujfalusi, Bolf, Jankulovski, Galasek, Poborsky, Rosicky, Nedved, Koller, Baros.
Subs: Blazek, Kinsky, Grygera, Mares, Smicer, Lokvenc, Vachousek, Hubschman, Heinz, Tyce, Plasil, Rozehnal.
Denmark: Sorensen, Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, Bogelund, Poulsen, Claus Jensen, Gravesen, Gronkjaer, Tomasson, Jorgensen. Subs: Skov-Jensen, Andersen, Niclas Jensen, Sand, Kahlenberg, Kroldrup, Daniel Jensen, Priske, Rommedahl, Perez, Madsen, Lovenkrands.
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

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