Gallery

Czech Republic's midfielder Pavel Nedved (C) and temmates jubilate after winning 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, their Euro 2004 group D football match against Netherlands, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Czech Republic won 3-2. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE

Pavel Nedved put in a captain's performance for the Czech Republic, who had to dig deep to pull back from 2-0 down and win 3-2. The European footballer of the year was inspirational in the heat of the battle.

Czech Republic's midfielder Vladimir Smicer jubilates after his goal 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Joe KLAMAR

Vladimir Smicer wheels away in joy after completing an epic fight-back from 2-0 down. He scored the Czech Republic's third goal against Holland with two minutes of the tie left on the clock.

Netherlands' goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar misses the ball as the shot by Czech midifielder Pavel Nedved hits the crossbar, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Czech Republic won 3-2. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

Dutch 'keeper Edwin van der Sar was beaten by theis long range Pavel Nedved shot, which bounced back off the bar. The Czechs won out 3-2 on the night.

Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (L) vies with Czech Republic's defender Tomas Ujfalusi, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Joe KLAMAR

In a white hot encounter at Aveiro Ruud van Nistelrooy's Holland eventually conceded a two goal lead to lose 3-2 to the Czech Republic, whe thereby qualified for the quarter-finals.

Netherlands' defender Jaap Stam (R) vies with Czech Republic's forward Milan Baros, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE

The Czech Republic's Milan Barros scored a memorable volley to draw his side level at 2-2 with Holland on Saturday in a magnificent tie won 3-2 by the Czechs at Aveiro.

Czech Republic's forward Jan Koller (L) head off the ball in the air undr the eyes of Netherlands' defender Jaap Stam, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE

The Czech striker Jan Koller in action against Holland's Jaap Stam on Saturday in the match of the tournament so far. The Czechs came from 2-0 down to win 3-2, Koller bagging the first of the fight back.

Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (up) jumps over Czech Republic's goalkeeper Petr Cech (down), 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

Holland were leading the Czech Republic 2-1 after an hour's play Saturday but had gone close a host of times to increasing that score. They paid a high price for those missed chances, losing 3-2.

Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (L) kicks the ball to score next to Czech Republic's goalkeeper Petr Cech, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

An unmarked Ruud van Nistelrooy fires in Holland's second goal against a shell shocked Czech Republic after 19 minutes. The Czech's found the strength to pull a goal back soon after, eventually winning 3-2.

Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben (L) and Czech Republic's defender Zdenek Grygera vie in the air, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

Holland stormed into the Czech Republic on Saturday going 2-0 up in 20 minutes before the Czech's pulled one back in a match packed with shots on goal.

The Latvian team celebrate with coach Aleksandrs Starkovs (top centre), 19 June 2004 after their European Nations football championships match against Germany at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

Euro debutants Latvia went into party mode after their plucky 0-0 draw with Germany in Porto on Saturday. It was the nation of 2.4 million's first point of the tournament.

Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis (L) leaves the German defence on the floor, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

Maris Verpakovskis leaves two German defenders floored in a counter-attack Saturday as Latvia seemed to hold their own in their second Group D tie.

Germany's midfielder Michael Ballack (L) is tackled by Latvia's Andrejs Prohorenkovs, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

With an hour gone Germany had failed to breach the Latvia goal despite the efforts of the German midfield general Michael Ballack in Saturday's Group D tie.