Group D - June 23 (19.45)
Germany 1 - 2 Czech Rep
Ballack 21 (G), Heinz 30 (C), Baros 77 (C)
Lisbon (Alvalade)
Germany needed a victory to qualify, but lost to a second-string Czech Republic side to crash out of Euro 2004. This makes Karel Bruckner's team the only one to win all its Group games.
The Czech Republic were already certain of topping the Group going into this game, and a quarter-final date with Denmark, so they rested several star players including Balon d'Or winner Pavel Nedved.
Germany were locked in a three-way battle with Holland and the surprising Latvia in order to qualify for the quarter-finals, but a victory against the second-string Czechs would be enough see them through.
Rudi Voller's outfit have struggled in the tournament and were fortunate to emerge with a 0-0 draw against the minnows, but promising youngster Bastian Schweinsteiger was given a starting spot.
However, it was the Czechs who went closest early on when after four minutes Reggina defender Martin Jiranek didn't get a strong enough touch on Heinz's free kick and Oliver Kahn was able to recover.
On 19 minutes a long-range Michael Ballack effort was deflected on to the roof of the net for a corner. The resulting set-piece was not cleared effectively and it came out to Ballack for a magnificent half-volley into the top left-hand corner of the net.
The Germans tended to aim shots from long range at Jaromir Blazek, but this time he was equal to Berndt Schneider's attempt.
The Czech Republic may have been fielding a second-string side, but Marek Heinz proved his set-piece prowess with a simply stunning equaliser. The domestic League's top scorer with Banik Ostrava curled his effort into the top right-hand corner past the outstretched hand of a helpless Kahn.
Schweinsteiger was closed down with some difficulty on the edge of the box, but there was precious little inspiration for a side that needed a victory in order to progress in this competition.
Both teams made a substitution at half-time, Germany introducing 19-year-old Lukas Podolski to give them a little more firepower.
However, it was the Czech substitute who made an immediate impact, as within 45 seconds of the restart Tomas Hubschman's cross reached Vratislav Lokvenc and Kahn did well to smother his volley.
Germany were more enterprising and Schneider cut back past a defender and forced Blazek to tip his shot over the crossbar, then a Ballack header was well held.
The Czech Republic were forced into a change when striker Lokvenc fell awkwardly and sprained his ankle, so Liverpool hitman Milan Baros was introduced.
Ballack remained Germany's most dangerous player and his powerful angled drive whizzed inches past the far post.
On the hour mark Kevin Kuranyi just failed to make contact with Schweinsteiger's curling cross and the striker claimed he was held back, but the pictures did not support his protests.
They could not have gone closer than on 66 minutes, as Ballack was off balanced and still managed to squeeze in a shot that cannoned off the upright, but Schneider's follow-up was weak and straight at the goalkeeper.
Kuranyi's attempt was charged down in the box, then Schneider wasted another great chance with a free header turned over the bar from seven yards.
The Czechs tried to alleviate the pressure by introducing Karel Poborsky for the final 20 minutes, but Germany carried on pushing and really should have scored. A Hubschman goalline clearance and desperate save kept out Schneider and Podolski in a siege on Blazek's net.
There were German penalty appeals for a David Rozenhal handling offence, but the referee judged it to be involuntary as the ball bounced off his knee at a curious angle.
Instead, it was the Czech Republic who scored against the run of play. Substitute Baros ran on to Poborsky's through ball and although Kahn got a foot to his first attempt, the ball rolled back into his path for the easiest of finishes.
Voller had to go for broke, so centre-forward Miroslav Klose replaced defender Dietmar Hamann, but there were no more real scoring opportunities as the belief had drained out of the German side.
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Germany: Kahn; Friedrich, Woerns, Nowotny, Lahm, Frings (Podolski 46); Hamann (Klose 78), Scheider, Schweinsteiger (Jeremies 86), Ballack; Kuranyi
Czech Republic: Blazek; Mares, Rozehnal, Bolf, Jiranek; Plasil (Poborsky 70), Tyce, Galasek (Hubschman 46), Vachousek; Heinz, Lokvenc (Baros 59)
Ref: Hauge (Nor)
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Football Italia
Same with Del Piero.
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How excited u got in the last three 3 min in england and france game?
