Milan Baros staked his claim to be named the player of the tournament with a
superb double to send the Czech Republic surging into the semi-finals of Euro
2004.
The 22-year-old Liverpool striker took his tally in the competition to five
goals and has scored in every match so far.
Not only is he the current leading scorer in this tournament, only Michel
Platini has scored more in a single European Championships.
Baros, who found himself dropped by Gerard Houllier towards the end of the
season, was on fire against Denmark - appropriately enough for the Dragon
Stadium in Porto, one of the most impressively-situated stadiums in the world.
He struck two magnificent goals within three minutes to stun the Danes after
giant striker Jan Koller had headed the Czechs into the lead.
The Czechs' reward is a place in the semi-final against Greece and it will
take another phenomenal effort by France's surprise conquerors to prevent them
making the final.
Baros' goals will live long in the memory even though in the first half this
was not the thriller that many had expected.
The much-vaunted Czechs were cautious and industrious rather than carefree and
creative, while the Danes played to their strengths - hard running to close down
opponents then using the speed on the flanks whenever possible.
Denmark's attacking options were not helped by Jon Dahl Tomasson being forced
to lead the line in the absence of the injured Ebbe Sand rather than play in his
favoured withdrawn position, while Czech coach Karel Bruckner's hints in the
build-up that he might leave Koller on the bench and use the wispy skills of
Marek Heinz instead proved to be nothing more than kidology.
The Czechs showed some purpose from the off as Pavel Nedved drilled in a low
free-kick from wide on the left to warm-up Thomas Sorensen, then in the next
move he found Martin Jiranek's head at the back-post and Baros should perhaps
have done better with his volley from the knockback - though it was a sign of
things to come.
Baros threatened to burst through again only to be thwarted by Kasper
Bogelund, but from the follow-up Karel Poborsky picked out Koller who was
disappointed to see his flicked header swerve over the angle.
Tomas Galasek whistled a low drive a foot wide after a neat lay-off from
Koller, then the Danes tried to wrest the advantage back.
Christian Poulsen had already caused the Czechs one fright when he showed
poise before striking a goalbound shot that Rene Bolf blocked, then he slipped
his marker to head on Claus Jensen's free-kick - but off-target.
As Morten Olsen's side grew in confidence, Thomas Gravesen fired a snapshot
over but Tomas Rosicky attempted to reassert the Czechs' authority with a
sinuous run which opened up the Danes only for Martin Laursen to intervene.
As half-time approached, Claus Jensen had a direct free-kick blocked and for
almost the first time the Czechs broke quickly and though Poborsky's cross
missed Koller there was a heart-stopping moment for the Danes when it landed on
the top of the crossbar.
Bruckner would perhaps have been the happier coach at the break - for all
their success so far in the tournament the Czechs had actually gone behind in
each game and played their best stuff in the second period.
This time, the Czechs took a grip on the game from the start of the half and
did not let it slack until the game was won.
Baros and Nedved produced surging runs to force corners and Poborsky hit one
perfectly, allowing Koller to use his 6ft 7in height to great advantage, beat
Laursen to the ball and thump a header past Sorensen.
The game immediately opened up and Tomasson came close to levelling for
Denmark after Martin Jorgensen opened up the Czech defence, before Sorensen
thwarted Nedved from Marek Jankulovski's free-kick.
Jorgensen had a shot blocked, Poulsen snatched at another opportunity, then
tempers flared as Nedved was booked for pulling back Jesper Gronkjaer, the
Chelsea winger tugging the Juventus star's long hair in retaliation.
Then in the space of three minutes Baros showed two moments of sheer
brilliance to end the contest.
First, Poborsky's lofted pass found the 22-year-old in space and he beat
Sorensen to make it 2-0 with the deftest of chips.
The shattered Danes barely had time to regroup before Baros was at their
throats again.
Nedved provided the pass and Baros had plenty to do - but he struck a
blistering diagonal shot with his left foot from just inside the area, which was
still rising as it soared past Sorensen.
Bruckner then took steps to protect his star striker, bringing on Heinz in his
place.
Gronkjaer proved wasteful as Denmark tried forlornly to get back into it, the
Petr Cech pulled off a flying save to deny substitute Peter Madsen.
As time ticked away, Madsen twice headed over when he should have scored but
it made little difference - this was Baros' night.
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