Germany tumbled out of Euro 2004 in ignominious fashion as the Czech Republic
reinforced their credentials as one of the tournament's potential champions.
The Czechs triumphed despite playing a second-string side and though the
Germans may curse their luck, they paid the price for defensive weakness and
failing to take their chances.
Liverpool's Milan Baros proved the eventual matchwinner, using his pace to
devastating effect after coming off the bench and ensuring that the Czechs
finished the group stage as the only side with a 100% record.
Germany, despite Michael Ballack opening the scoring with a sensational
volley, were second best in the first half - Marek Heinz's equaliser pulling the
Czechs level - and even when desperation sent them charging forward in the
second half, they could not find the finish.
With top spot in Group D already secure, the Czechs' pragmatic head coach
Karel Bruckner left most of his senior players on the bench, with only Tomas
Galasek and Martin Jiranek present from the side which won so thrillingly
against Holland.
The Germans had cause to be grateful but the incoming Czechs were clearly
eager to impress and it was they who threatened first.
Vratislav Lokvenc nipped in to meet Heinz's free-kick and when the ball span
up in the six-yard box Martin Jiranek forced a close-range save out of Oliver
Kahn.
The direct running and close control of Monaco's Jaroslav Plasil and the quick
feet and probing passes of Heinz, playing in the Rooney role just off the front
man, kept Germany on the back-foot for the opening 20 minutes, but then
Ballack's class came to the fore.
David Rozehnal deflected one goalbound effort from Ballack over the crossbar
but that just delayed the opening goal.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany's own teenage 'wunderkind', provided an
inviting lay-off and Ballack, from just inside the area, crashed a blistering
shot into the top corner with the outside of his left-foot.
The goal looked to have given Germany momentum, as Bernd Schneider tried to
build on the advantage and stung Jaromir Blazek's fingers with a low drive, but
Rudi Voller's side then suffered a setback as Heinz struck a magnificent 20-yard
free-kick, curling it with his left foot beyond the grasping reach of Kahn to
equalise.
Heinz was the top scorer in the Czech league last season for Banik Ostrava,
having had three frustrating seasons in Germany with Hamburg, but on this
evidence it won't be long before another big team signs him.
Germany, with news of Holland's lead filtering through, tried to up the tempo
and though the Czech defence looked vulnerable, the sides were still level at
the break, with Kahn even having to make a smart save to deny Lokvenc just
before the half-time whistle.
Tomas Hubschman replaced Galasek in central midfield for the second half and
was immediately in the thick of the action, hitting a wonderful cross from the
left and the lanky Lokvenc seemed destined to score - only for Kahn to make a
superb block.
Germany's urgency increased and Schneider forced Blazek into a tip-over, then
Ballack directed a free header from 15 yards straight into the goalkeeper's
arms.
With a little over half-an-hour of the game to go, Baros came on for the
injured Lokvenc - perhaps just what the Germans could have done without - but
with Heinz and Plasil dropping out of the game the Liverpool striker struggled
at first for service.
Meanwhile, Ballack drilled a shot a yard wide, then Kevin Kuranyi was inches
away from making decisive contact with Schneider's cross.
Philipp Lahm's raids down the left had started to pay dividends and Germany so
nearly cashed in when Ballack turned beautifully on the edge of the area and
shot, only to see the ball cannon off the foot of the post.
Schneider should have scored with the follow-up but he lofted his effort,
giving Blazek time to recover and stab it clear.
The pressure on the Czech goal intensified as Kuranyi was blocked, then
Schneider headed over from 10 yards, followed by an amazing scramble when
Hubschman headed off the line and Blazek kept out the point-blank range
follow-up.
But with so much forward pressure, the gaps started appear at the back for
Germany and Baros took full advantage in the 77th minute.
He went on a powerful run through the heart of the defence, holding off
Christian Worns, and although Kahn saved his first shot the ball fell
fortunately for the 22-year-old to roll it into an empty net and send Germany
packing.
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