GROUP D Matches - June 23, 2004
June 23, 2004
Group D 2:45 PM Germany 1-2 Czech Republic
The Czechs had already qualified for the next round so manager Bruckner decided to rest some of his stars. The Dutch weren’t impressed. They needed the Czechs to beat the Germans so they could make it into the quarterfinals. The Czech’s rested Cech, Nedved, Poborsky, Rosicky, Smicer, Baros, and Koller. You’d expect that by resting seven full internationals you’d run into some problems. Not with this Czech team. With a second string lineup the Czechs were able to deal a deathblow to the German cause.
The Germans looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the first half but the Czechs always looked dangerous on the counter attacks. In the middle of the first half the Germans struck! Some tentative passing stopped at the feet of Michael Ballack who shot from 25 yards out into the Czech net. It was one of the best goals of the tournament. Ballack is by far the best German player and it must be difficult to not have a decent supporting cast. The only hope for the future looks to be mullet-headed Bastian Schweinsteiger.
It took a matter of minutes for the Czechs to strike back. Marek Heinz blasting one of his 57 varieties past a gymnastic Kahn. The half ended with both teams getting the ball up and down the field although genuine scoring opportunities eluded both teams.
The second half presented some dull football but spiced up in the last twenty minutes. Bruckner made two crucial substitutions that would win the match for the Czechs and eliminate the Germans. The skill, pace and flair of striker Milan Baros coupled with the creativity of midfielder Karel Poborsky put the Czechs into the drivers seat. The addition of these two players ultimately laid waste to the German dream of the quarterfinals. Milan Baros could not be effectively contained and in the 77th minute the Liverpool player tore down the middle of the field and scored an excellent goal that would eliminate Germany from EURO 2004. Despite Dutch fears, the Czech B team was enough to overwhelm a poor German A team.
June 23, 2004
Group D 2:45 PM Netherlands 3-0 Latvia
Little Latvia looked good early in the tournament despite not playing Marian Pahars. Pahars didn’t feature in this match either, which is a shame because they could’ve used him. Holland, needing a win to progress, destroyed Latvia. You could say the first goal was dubious but there was nothing but class in the final two goals.
Seedorf and Van Nistelrooy were both in fine form with Edgar Davids close behind. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen adjudicated that Davids was fouled in the penalty box and awarded a penalty. He should’ve given Davids a yellow for simulation. Nielsen is a poor referee. There a few of them left out there, Urs Meier included. Van Nistelrooy, who earlier missed a sitter, scored from the spot. 1-0 Holland.
Seedorf looked as sharp as I’ve seen him in years. The Barcelona midfielder was a commanding presence in the Orange midfield and it was his shots that kept the Dutch spirits high. Holland went up 2-0 again from Van Nistelrooy, after the striker latched onto a marvelous touch from Cocu. Cocu had been the goat in the Czech match so it was only fitting that he redeemed himself. Latvia was finished off when substitute Makaay (Bayern Munich) burst past two defenders and rocketed his shot into the net. 3-0 Holland.
The Dutch celebrated the win, albeit tentatively. The celebrations were in full swing when it was announced that the Czechs had beaten the Germans.
Group D 2:45 PM Germany 1-2 Czech Republic
The Czechs had already qualified for the next round so manager Bruckner decided to rest some of his stars. The Dutch weren’t impressed. They needed the Czechs to beat the Germans so they could make it into the quarterfinals. The Czech’s rested Cech, Nedved, Poborsky, Rosicky, Smicer, Baros, and Koller. You’d expect that by resting seven full internationals you’d run into some problems. Not with this Czech team. With a second string lineup the Czechs were able to deal a deathblow to the German cause.
The Germans looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the first half but the Czechs always looked dangerous on the counter attacks. In the middle of the first half the Germans struck! Some tentative passing stopped at the feet of Michael Ballack who shot from 25 yards out into the Czech net. It was one of the best goals of the tournament. Ballack is by far the best German player and it must be difficult to not have a decent supporting cast. The only hope for the future looks to be mullet-headed Bastian Schweinsteiger.
It took a matter of minutes for the Czechs to strike back. Marek Heinz blasting one of his 57 varieties past a gymnastic Kahn. The half ended with both teams getting the ball up and down the field although genuine scoring opportunities eluded both teams.
The second half presented some dull football but spiced up in the last twenty minutes. Bruckner made two crucial substitutions that would win the match for the Czechs and eliminate the Germans. The skill, pace and flair of striker Milan Baros coupled with the creativity of midfielder Karel Poborsky put the Czechs into the drivers seat. The addition of these two players ultimately laid waste to the German dream of the quarterfinals. Milan Baros could not be effectively contained and in the 77th minute the Liverpool player tore down the middle of the field and scored an excellent goal that would eliminate Germany from EURO 2004. Despite Dutch fears, the Czech B team was enough to overwhelm a poor German A team.
June 23, 2004
Group D 2:45 PM Netherlands 3-0 Latvia
Little Latvia looked good early in the tournament despite not playing Marian Pahars. Pahars didn’t feature in this match either, which is a shame because they could’ve used him. Holland, needing a win to progress, destroyed Latvia. You could say the first goal was dubious but there was nothing but class in the final two goals.
Seedorf and Van Nistelrooy were both in fine form with Edgar Davids close behind. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen adjudicated that Davids was fouled in the penalty box and awarded a penalty. He should’ve given Davids a yellow for simulation. Nielsen is a poor referee. There a few of them left out there, Urs Meier included. Van Nistelrooy, who earlier missed a sitter, scored from the spot. 1-0 Holland.
Seedorf looked as sharp as I’ve seen him in years. The Barcelona midfielder was a commanding presence in the Orange midfield and it was his shots that kept the Dutch spirits high. Holland went up 2-0 again from Van Nistelrooy, after the striker latched onto a marvelous touch from Cocu. Cocu had been the goat in the Czech match so it was only fitting that he redeemed himself. Latvia was finished off when substitute Makaay (Bayern Munich) burst past two defenders and rocketed his shot into the net. 3-0 Holland.
The Dutch celebrated the win, albeit tentatively. The celebrations were in full swing when it was announced that the Czechs had beaten the Germans.
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