Czech Republic v Denmark - SUMMARY
Baros destroys Danes as Czechs make last four
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| Czech forward Jan Koller (L) celebrates his opening goal next to his teammate, forward Milan Baros (R), 27 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 quarter final match between Czech Republic and Denmark at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Vincenzo PINTO |
The Czech Republic claimed a place in the semi-finals 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 percent record in the competition.
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| Czech forward Milan Baros celebrates after scoring the second goal for his team, 27 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the quarter final Euro 2004 football match between Czech Republic and Denmark at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Joe KLAMAR |
Baros' double -- a clever chip and a rising left-footed drive -- took his goal tally to five in four matches, making him the tournament's highest goalscorer.
"If someone had told me before the tournament that I would score five goals I would not have believed them," Baros said after the tie.
"But the most important thing is that we are in the semi-finals."
The Czech Republic will play Greece in that semi-final at the same stadium on Thursday.
In a dull first half 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.
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| A Danish supporter waits for the beginning of the Euro 2004 quarter final match between Czech Republic and Denmark, 27 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
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| Czech head coach Karel Bruckner (C) gives instructions to his players, 27 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 quarter final match between Czech Republic and Denmark at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois-Xavier MARIT |
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 Thomas 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 to make it 2-0.
With Denmark still stunned 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.