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Czechs deny Polish Euro 2012 hopes

PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp 16.06.2012 23:17
The Czech Republic beat Poland 1-0 in the final Group A match in Wroclaw on Saturday night, taking away Polish chances to advance to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
Czechs end Polish Euro hopes
The moment it all ended - Petr Jiracek about to plant one past Przemyslaw Tyton in the 72nd minute to put the Czechs in the lead and give them a place in the quarter-finals. Photo: PAP/EPA/Armando Babani

It was not until the 72nd minute that Czech midfielder Petr Jiracek planted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to score the only goal of the evening after a quick pass in the box from compatriot Milan Baros as Polish defenders scrambled to try and rescue the situation.

In the first half of the match, a strong Polish attack in the first 15 minutes did not manage to break down the Czech defence, and heavy rain slowed the game.

Tensions mounted as left defender David Limbersky was given a yellow card for coming too hard onto Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski in the 12th just outside the penalty area, although nothing came of the free kick that followed.

Just ten minutes later another yellow was shown, this time for midfielder Rafal Murawski who fouled Czech striker Milan Baros.

Although at half time the Czech Republic had 55 percent possession of the ball, the team’s first shot on target didn’t come until the 29th minute.

In the second half, news from Warsaw that Greece was 1-0 up against Russia put extra pressure on the Poles, whose hopes of exiting the group grew ever distant.

By the end of the game, the Czech Republic were on top, constantly hammering away at Poland’s defence. When the final whistle was blown, the Czechs had just under 60 percent possession of the ball.

What attempts Poland did muster did not get past goalie Petr Cech, or were shot past over the crossbar.

With both teams showing signs of tiredness, tempers frayed towards the end of the game, resulting in four yellow cards in the final five minutes of the encounter.

Meanwhile, in Warsaw Greece won 1-0 against Russia with a goal from Giorgios Karagounis, knocking Russia out of the tournament. (jb)

tags: Euro 2012
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