The Czech Republic claimed a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2004 in style after thrashing Denmark 3-0 at the Dragao stadium on Sunday.
Giant striker Jan Koller headed the Czechs in front in the 49th minute before Liverpool marksman Milan Baros scored twice in two minutes to kill off the 1992 champions and ensure Karel Bruckner’s men maintained their 100% record in the competition.
Baros’ double — a clever chip and an unstoppable rising left-footed drive — took his goal tally to five in four matches, making him the tournament’s highest goal scorer.
The Czech Republic, beaten finalists in 1996 when they lost to Germany at Wembley stadium in England, will play Greece in the semi-finals here at the same stadium on Thursday.
Koller, at 2,02 metres the tallest player at Euro 2004, headed Karel Poborsky’s right-wing cross over the bar and Tomas Galasek’s low drive sailed wide as the Czechs maintained their early momentum before Denmark mustered their first attack.
Claus Jensen found space on the left after a weak defensive clearance and the livewire Charlton midfielder fed Christian Poulsen whose goalbound drive was blocked by a forest of Czech legs.
Poulsen headed wide as the Danes slowly wrestled control of the match before Thomas Gravesen, pulling the strings for the Scandinavians in central midfield, fired a drive into the stands from the edge of the box.
Former Manchester United winger Karel Poborsky came the closest to breaking the deadlock a minute before half-time, the Czech midfielder’s right-wing cross bouncing off the top of the crossbar.
The match sprang to life four minutes after the break when the Czechs took the lead.
Nedved won a corner which Poborsky drove into the penalty box and Koller stole a yard on his marker to plant a firm header past a helpless Sorensen. The Czechs tightened their grip in the 63rd minute when they increased their advantage with a swift counter-attack.
Poborsky’s clever throughball found Baros, who outpaced Danish captain Rene Henriksen before lifting the ball over the advancing Sorensen.
Baros put the result beyond doubt two minutes later, collecting Nedved’s clever diagonal pass before lashing the ball into the roof of the net. – Sapa-AFP