Gallery

Czech Republic goalkeeper Jaromir Blazek (L) catches the ball by Germany's forward Kevin Kuranyi, 23 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Jose De Alvalade stadium in Lisbon. Germany and Czech Republic are competing in Group D. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

Czech number two 'keeper Jaromir Blazek played an instrumental role in helping to eliminate Germany on Wednesday as his side eased to a 2-1 win. Holland finished second in the group behind the Czechs while Germany are on their way to the airport.

Dutch defender Jaap Stam (L) vies with Latvian forward Maris Verpakovskis, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between The Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE

Jaap Stam of Holland keeps a close eye on Latvia striker Maris Verpakovskis in Group D action on Wednesday. The Dutch squeezed into the last eight by winning 3-0 while group winners the Czech Republic did them a huge favour by eliminating Germany 2-1.

Czech Republic goalkeeper Jaromir Blazek (C) fails to stop a shot by Germany's midfielder Michael Ballack to make it 1-0, 23 June 2004 at Jose De Alvalade stadium in Lisbon during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship. AFP PHOTO Joe KLAMAR

A sublime volleyed goal by Mickael Ballack was in vain for Germany on Wednesday as they collapsed to a 2-1 defeat against Group winners Czech Republic and out of the tournament. Holland also qualified disposing Latvia 3-0 in comfortable fashion.

Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko (L) misses the second goal of Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (C), 23 June at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between The Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy nods home his fourth goal of the tournament to send Holland on their way to a 3-0 win over Latvia. Holland reach the last eight after Germany crashed to a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic out out of the tournament.

Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko (L) vies with Dutch midfielder and captain Phillip Cocu, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium during the Euro 2004 group D football match between The Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois GUILLOT

Holland sneaked through to the quarter-finals on Wednesday after they buried Latvia 3-0 while more importantly Germany lost 2-1 against the Czech Republic to open the door. Holland now play Sweden on Saturday in Faro.

Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko (R) catches the ball in front of Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij, 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 Latvia 'keeper stopped this effort but Holland striker Ruud van Nistelrooy soon had two goals to his credit on Wednesday.

Dutch supporter poses, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium prior the Euro 2004 group D football match between The Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois GUILLOT

Sporting her nations colours and flower this fan is in full bloom as she awaits the Netherlands' tie with Latvia that they must win and then hope Germany fail to beat the Czechs if the Dutch are to continue their Euro adventure.

An Italy's national flag is seen in the empty tribune, 22 June 2004 at Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, at the end of the Euro 2004 group C football match between Italy and Bulgaria at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Italy is kicked out of the competition despite winning the match 2 to 1. AFP PHOTO MLADEN ANTONOV

Italy were left on the Euro 2004 scrapheap Tuesday and while the fans go home one of them abandoned his flag.

Danish and swedish players celebrates after their qualification for the quater-finals, 22 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, during their European Nations football championship match in Portugal. Denmark and Sweden are competing in Group C. AFP PHOTO Janek SKARZYNSKI

Players from both Sweden and Denmark celebrated on Tuesday after their 2-2 draw meant that they were both in the quarter-finals and Italy were squeezed out.

Denmark's forward Jon Dahl Tomasson (C) celebrates with his teammate midfielder Christian Poulsen (R) after his second goal against Sweden, 22 June 2004 during their Euro 2004 football match at the Bessa stadium in Porto. Denmark and Sweden are competing in Group C with Italy and Bulgaria. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

Jon Dahl Tomasson adds insult to injury by shushing the Sweden fans after he had just put his Denmark side 2-1 up. Both sides qualified for the quarters when Sweden bagged a late equaliser.

Italian defender Alessandro Nesta (2nd L) speaks with the Russian referee Valentin Ivanov (2ndR) after he whistled a penalty kick for a fault by Italian defender Marco Materazzi (L), 22 June 2004 at Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, during the Euro 2004 group C football match between Italy and Bulgaria at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO VINCENZO PINTO

Beg as they might Italy's defenders had no chance of changing the referee's mind on his penalty decision, so blatent had Marco Materazzi's (L) foul been. Bulgaria took the lead from the subsequent spot-kick. Italy's agony was far from over.

Italian forward Antonio Cassano (2nd L) looks dejected despite scoring the second goal for his team, 22 June 2004 at Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, during the Euro 2004 group C football match between Italy and Bulgaria at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Italy is kicked out of the competition due to the 2 to 2 draw in the match between Denmark and Sweden. AFP PHOTO MLADEN ANTONOV

Antonio Cassano thought his winner for Italy had delivered his team a quarter-finals spot. But he soon discovered Sweden and Denmark had edged them on a goals scored ruling after the three teams ended group C on five points.