Group Elimination A: Saturday, 16 June 2012 - Wroclaw - Municipal Stadium

The Czechs square off against the Poles on June 16 at the Wroclaw Municipal Stadium for Group A

Czech Republic

Coming off a 2-1 victory over Greece, the Czechs are back in the fight, this time against the Euro 2012 co-host Poland. Looking to regain their reputation as one of Europe’s more formidable squads after a series of disappointments like missing out on the 2010 World Cup and falling off Euro 2008 during the Group Stage. The Czechs did fair during the qualification stage finishing second in Group I after defending champions Spain. Fortunately, they have been placed in Group A alongside Greece, Russia, and Poland. With key players such as keeper PetrCech, the team’s most experienced player, plus striker Milan Baros with a staggering 40 goals, the Czechs can take themselves further up the ladder.

The Czechs are not a favourite within Group A and are not expected to make it far in the tournament. This is mainly due to the retirement of former stalwarts, PavelNedved and Jan Koller. The absence of captain Rosicky due to an injury may be detrimental to the team as well. Manager Michal Bilek has struggled to gain support of the fans having a large number calling for his ouster but that part should not affect the team’s performance.

Poland

The Poles qualified for the Euros by virtue of being co-host and this is only their second time participating in such tournament. Their previous appearance came four years ago when they finished at the basement of their group. Underdog is such an understatement for this team with limited exposure. However, their performance during the friendlies have earned draws against teams within the calibre of Portugal or Germany. If key players Robert Lewandowski and JakubBlaszczykowski would combine their individual brilliance, the Poles have a shot of cruising pass the Czechs.

However, with three injuries worries concerning defender Damien Perquis, midfielder DariuszDudka and Eugen Polanski, the Polish force might have a problem.

Predictions: Poland wins 1-0

The verdict, surprising enough, still go to the Polish team. The momentum is more with the Polish side than the Czechs. The advantage of playing in home turf goes a long way. They played the better of two sides with Russia, the game ended in a draw.

Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Czech Eliminate Home Team Poland 1-0

Czech Republic did the unthinkable by eliminating the home team yesterday . Czech’s midfielder Jiracek scored with a stylish second-half shot to lift the Czech Republic to a 1-0 win over Poland, putting the Czechs through to the quarterfinals and knocking out Euro 2012 co-host Poland.

With the victory, the Czechs finished atop Group A, and will play the runner-up of Group B in the knockout stage in Warsaw next week.

After withstanding a first-half barrage from Poland, the Czechs pushed forward in the second half looking for an opening. It came on a counterattack in the 72nd minute, when Jiracek collected a pass from Milan Baros in the box, cut right to clear past Poland's Marcin Wasilewski and slotted the ball inside the far post.

"We had a poor start but we gradually improved, started to create chances and finally, we deserved to score," Jiracek said.

Poland, which had to win to advance, immediately brought on two attacking players in the last 30 minutes to push for a goal, but struggled to create any serious threats.

After the final whistle, the Czech players swarmed each other on the pitch. The Poles fell to the ground, covering their faces.

"I think that probably we were too sure about winning this game. The Czechs played excellent football," Poland coach Franciszek Smuda said. "We had some opportunities before halftime, we didn't take advantage of them and we lost the game."

The Czechs pulled off the win despite playing without their captain and playmaker Tomas Rosicky, who was sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury.

Without his creative skills the Czechs were listless in the first half, struggling to put together any fluid passing and reduced to knocking long balls forward. But as the Poles pushed forward in the second half in search of a goal to put them through to the quarterfinals, more space began to open up in midfield.

That space gave the Czechs the opportunity to strike on the counter, and the punishment came with Jiracek's second goal of the tournament. He also opened the scoring in a 2-1 victory over Greece.

Poland responded well, though, and the final chances were all for the home team.

A cross from the right was deflected to the far post, where Marcin Wasilewski met the ball with a header that just cleared the crossbar. Minutes later, Jakub Blaszczykowski's angled effort was cleared off the line by Michal Kadlec as the Czechs sealed their place in the last eight.

"With the time passing, we had to open up more and more, and I think this is the reason we conceded a goal on the counter," Blaszczykowski said.

The loss is a huge disappointment for Poland fans, who were hoping for the country's first European Championship win, which would have put them through to the quarterfinals. The country had rallied around the team since the tournament opened last week, and fans' hopes were boosted by the Poles' solid performances in their first two Euro 2012 matches.

But even with the raucous support of the capacity crowd of 41,000 at Municipal Stadium, the team failed to come through, even against a Czech side playing without its best player.

EURO 2012: Czech Republic vs Poland Timeline

• 90+4' - The match is over. Final score 1-0.
• 90+4' - Poland push forward at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw and Jakub Blaszczykowski gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Czech Republic defence.
• 90+4' - Tomas Pekhart (Czech Republic) gets a yellow card.
• 90+1' - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw the fourth official shows that 4 minutes will be added to the Second half.
• 90+1' - Michal Bilek is making the team's Third substitution at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw with Tomas Pekhart replacing Milan Baros.
• 90' - Damien Perquis (Poland) has received a first yellow card.
• 90' - Corner awarded to Poland.
• 88' - Jan Rezek is on a sub for Vaclav Pilar for Czech Republic.
• 87' - Jaroslav Plasil (Czech Republic) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 87' - Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland) gets a yellow card.
• 86' - Poland's Marcin Wasilewski misses with an attempt on goal.
• 86' - Important block from the Czech Republic defence as Dariusz Dudka fires in a strike for Poland.
• 84' - Frantisek Rajtoral (Czech Republic) has replaced the possibly injured Petr Jiracek.
• 81' - Czech Republic's Petr Jiracek is back in action after a slight knock.
• 81' - Play has been resumed at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 80' - The match has been stopped briefly for attention to the injured Petr Jiracek.
• 80' - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Adrian Mierzejewski (Poland) takes a corner from the Right.
• 79' - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Jaroslav Plasil (Czech Republic) takes a corner from the Right.
• 77' - In Wroclaw Adrian Mierzejewski for Poland takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 76' - Czech Republic's Milan Baros is whistled for offside at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 74' - Robert Lewandowski gets his shot on target but fails to score for Poland.
• 73' - Poland make their Third substitution with Adrian Mierzejewski replacing Rafal Murawski.
• 73' - Pawel Brozek is on a sub for Ludovic Obraniak for Poland.
• 72' - Milan Baros instrumental with a fine assist.
• 72' - Petr Jiracek scores to make it 1-0 at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 68' - Milan Baros of Czech Republic smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 65' - Tomas Sivok (Czech Republic) strikes at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw but his header is cleared.
• 63' - Czech Republic attack but Gebre Selassie's header doesn't find the target.
• 61' - Marcin Wasilewski (Poland) gets a yellow card.
• 57' - Gebre Selassie for Czech Republic is whistled offside.
• 56' - Kamil Grosicki is replacing Eugen Polanski for Poland at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 54' - Czech Republic's David Limbersky breaks free at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 52' - Craig Thomson has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Jaroslav Plasil takes the kick from the Right .
• 51' - Milan Baros (Czech Republic) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
• 50' - Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
• 48' - Eugen Polanski (Poland) gets a yellow card. He will be suspended from the next match!
• 47' - Czech Republic have been awarded a corner by Craig Thomson. Jaroslav Plasil steps up to take it.
• 46' - The second-half is underway in Wroclaw.
• 45' - The first half has been concluded at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 44' - Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
• 43' - Czech Republic's Vaclav Pilar gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Poland defender.
• 43' - Poland are coming forward and Lukasz Piszczek gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 42' - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Ludovic Obraniak (Poland) takes a corner from the Left.
• 42' - In Wroclaw, Rafal Murawski of Poland is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 41' - Czech Republic push forward through Vaclav Pilar, whose finish on goal is saved.
• 41' - Czech Republic drive upfield and Vaclav Pilar gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Poland defender.
• 39' - In Wroclaw Czech Republic drive forward through Jaroslav Plasil. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 29' - Daniel Kolar (Czech Republic) gets up for a header but cannot keep the ball on target.
• 29' - Czech Republic have been awarded a corner by Craig Thomson. Jaroslav Plasil steps up to take it.
• 27' - Craig Thomson blows against Czech Republic's Milan Baros for offside.
• 26' - Jakub Blaszczykowski of Poland smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 22' - Rafal Murawski (Poland) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 22' - Poland push upfield and Marcin Wasilewski gets his head to the ball. The attempt is cleared by an alert Czech Republic defence.
• 22' - In Wroclaw Ludovic Obraniak for Poland takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 22' - Poland push forward through Sebastian Boenisch, whose finish on goal is saved.
• 15' - Eugen Polanski of Poland gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 13' - Poland's Sebastian Boenisch gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 13' - Ludovic Obraniak (Poland) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 12' - David Limbersky (Czech Republic) has received a first yellow card.
• 10' - Poland's Robert Lewandowski misses with an attempt on goal.
• 8' - Craig Thomson has awarded Poland a corner. Ludovic Obraniak takes the kick from the Left .
• 8' - Poland drive forward and Jakub Blaszczykowski gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 6' - Ludovic Obraniak for Poland gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 2' - Poland are pushing forward but Dariusz Dudka's finish is wide of the goal.
• 1' - The match is underway in Wroclaw.

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