Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 29 Fri. June 25, 2004  
   
Sports


UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal
Mercedes sent for repairs


Three-time European champions Germany became the latest big names to exit the Euro 2004 finals after going down to a 2-1 defeat against a second-string Czech Republic side.

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 2002 World Cup finalists followed Italy and Spain out of the tournament in a recurrence of their Euro 2000 nightmare when they exited at the group stage without winning a match.

Two draws and this defeat means Germany have not won in the European championships for eight years - their last triumph coming against the Czechs in the Euro 96 final at Wembley.

Coach Rudi Voller said his team had failed to capitalise on their many scoring chances.

"It is a big disappointment. Two years ago we were celebrating reaching the World Cup final. Tonight we had a great chance to qualify, but we failed.

"The scoring chances were there but we didn't take them.

"We have only scored two goals in three matches which isn't enough.

The Czechs, the only side to win all their group matches, face Denmark in the quarter-finals while the Netherlands face Sweden after defeating Latvia 3-0.

Having already qualified, the Czechs rested Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Jan Koller amongst others prompting the bookmakers to make Germany firm favourites to qualify.

But the second-string Czech outfit almost took the lead on four minutes when a cross from the left wreaked havoc in the German backline and captain Oliver Kahn needed to whip the ball from the feet of VfL Bochum marksman Vratislav Lokvenc.

Germany were eager to attack in a must-win game but lacked cohesion until a bright move in the 19th minute saw Ballack get free but his shot was deflected onto the roof of the net.

But two minutes seconds later Ballack made no mistake, unleashing an unstoppable left-footed volley from the edge of the area after Jaroslav Plasil foolishly gave away possession.

Rudi Voller claimed it was vital to get Ballack into goalscoring positions before the match and he delivered with his first goal of the tournament.

Germany had the lead they craved but it lasted just nine minutes.

Philipp Lahm fouled Marek Heinz narrowly outside the penalty area and the midfielder stepped up to curl a brilliant free-kick over the wall and past Kahn.

At half-time Germany were on their way out of the competition with the Netherlands leading Latvia 2-0 in the other Group D match.

The name of Lukas Podolski of Cologne was chanted by the anxious German followers before the interval and Voller obliged by introducing the 18-year-old for his first appearance in Portugal.

Just 60 seconds after the restart the Czechs almost went in front with Lokvenc forcing a fine point-blank save from Kahn after a dangerous cross from the right.

Bernd Schneider then produced a powerful shot that Czech goalkeeper Jaromir Blazek tipped over.

Ballack then crashed a 65th minute shot off the left post and Schneider should have scored from the follow-up but hit a tame effort at Blazek.

Seven minutes the Germans had three chances to score in a goalmouth scramble but some desperate defending and bizarre rebounds somehow saved the Czechs.

Baros had only been on the pitch for 16 minutes when he struck the killer blow on 77 minutes, dancing around some stationary German defenders before lashing a shot at Kahn.

The Bayern Munich keeper parried brilliantly but the Liverpool striker tucked the rebound into the net.

Picture
IN THE THICK OF THINGS! Referee Terje Hauge is getting floored after going too close to a tangle between Germany's playmaker Michael Ballack (L) and Czech Republic captain Tomas Galasek at the Jose De Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on June 23. PHOTO: AFP