Live from Euro 2004
Dutch join Czechs as quarter-finals beckon
The Czech Republic confirmed their status as strong contenders to win Euro 2004 when their second string side eliminated Germany with a 2-1 win while Holland have refreshed hope earning a place in the last eight by ending brave Latvia's campaign 3-0.
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| Latvian forward Maris Verpakovskis (L) vies with Dutch defender Jaap Stam 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 Group D football match between Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Janek SKARZYNSKI |
World Cup finalists Germany again failed to produce the goods at Euro and slithered out with not so much as a whimper with a desperately poor performance against Karel Bruckner's surging team.
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| Czech republic forward Milan Baros shoots and scores against Germany, 23 June 2004 at Jose De Alvalade stadium in Lisbon during their Euro 2004 group D football match. |
Despite taking a 1-0 first half lead through a searing left foot volley by Mickael Ballack, they inexplicably gave up two goals to the weakened Czech's handing a lifeline to Holland.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was the inspiration carrying the 1988 European champions forward with two goals in a one-sided encounter in Braga. .
The Netherlands avoided joining Spain, Italy and Germany in the club of European footballing superpowers to fall at the first hurdle by completely overwhelming their Baltic opponents.
But they also needed the Czech Republic to get at least a point from the Germans and there was a huge roar from the orange-bedecked stands whenever they got wind of a Czech goal down in Lisbon.
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| Germany's coach Rudi Voller gestures to his team, 23 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship football match against the Czech Republic at Jose De Alvalade stadium in Lisbon. Germany and Czech Republic are competing in Group D. |
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| Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij is about to kick the ball in front of Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 Group D football match between Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Janek SKARZYNSKI |
The Dutch took up residence in Latvian territory for virtually the entire game, their domination rewarded with a first half double from van Nistelrooy, who joins England's Wayne Rooney as the competition's leading scorer with four goals.
Germany coach Rudi Voller will now feel the noose tightening round his neck after their dismal campaign which has seen the former powerhouse fail to win a Euro match since the final win back in 1996 ironically over the Czechs.
Substitute Milan Baros struck the decisive goal, his third in the competition, 13 minutes from time after Marek Heinz had cancelled out Michael Ballack's first-half opener.
The Czechs who are the only team to win all three group matches will field a full strength line-up on Sunday as they take on Denmark, while Holland have a new lease of life and play Sweden 24 hours earlier in Faro.
The quarter-finals get underway with what should be a thriller between hosts Portugal and England on Thursday, while holders France are quietly progressing and take on Greece on Friday.