Euro 2008: Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey Historic Win(Full Match Report and Video)

Both teams went in to this game needing a win to progress, after they had both beaten Switzerland and lost to Portugal. If this game was a draw, then there would be the first ever penalty shoot out for a group stage in the tournament. Czech Republic wore all white, while the Turkish wore all red.

Neither team ever really took control in the first half, although the Czech Republicans had almost all the opportunities. They kept possession well, playing fluent football, while the Turks held on for dear life, blocking crosses and jumping in the way of Czech shots.

In the first ten minutes, two of the Turkish players had received bookings, which made them the most booked team in Euro 2008 so far, although the referee was being extremely strict and a lot of the Czech players were making the most of the challenges, throwing them selves to the floor, which slowed the game down and soon got tiresome.

Then a break through for the Czech Republic. An exquisite cross played in from the right hand side from Zdenek Grygera was inch perfect for six foot seven inches giant Jans Koller to make a powerful header, which Turkish goal keeper Demirel got his hand to, but couldn’t keep out.

In the second half the game really livened up. On the sixty fifth minute, Libor Sionko swung in a wonderful cross and Jaroslav Plasil latches on the end of it to put Czech Republic up, and it looks like check mate for Czech Republic.

But then, on the seventy fifth minute Arda Turan scored his second goal of the tournament with a brilliant shot right in to the bottom corner, just out of Petr Cech’s reach. Suddenly it looks like Turkey may have a chance.

And they have a chance. And a rather brilliant one at that, when usually rock solid Cech lets a ball slip out of his hands, and Nihat reacts first to slot the ball in to the empty net. Truly remarkable football, and everyone is suddenly choosing who will take penalties.

But then, another shock, when Turkey score their third goal in fifteen minutes! Nihat receiving a through ball before running through to the edge of the penalty area before picking his spot in the top corner, giving Petr Cech no chance. Unbelievable football, no one can quite believe it.

And as if everyone wasn’t already excited enough, there is even more action, when in the fourth minute of added time Czech Republic get a chance before Turkish goal keeper Volkan foolishly pushed Koller to the floor, who made the most of it, but the goal keeper still got a red card.

And then a bizarre decision. The referee books Milan Baros, giving him a yellow card, but the crazy thing is, he isn’t even on the pitch! Too confusing to take in.

Final Score:
Czech Republic 2 – 3 Turkey

Watch the five GOALS:

Volakan Red Card on the 92th Minute of the Match:

Comments June 16th, 2008

Euro 2008: Czech Republic 1-3 Portugal (Match Report and Video)

This game was expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams winning their first matches. Confusingly, the Czech Republic players were wearing all red, where as the Portuguese played in all white.

The game got off to a flying start, with both teams trying to take the initiative. It didn’t take long for Portugal to get a grip of the game, and it was after just eight minutes that Portugal scored their first goal. After Ronaldo had been blocked by Petr Cech, the ball rolled to Deco, who was also blocked by Cech, but the Chelsea goal keeper couldn’t keep out the third shot, which again fell to Deco, who just about got it through the defender’s legs and into the Czech goal.

Just nine minutes later, Czech Republic got a corner, and a superb cross, sloppy defending and a great header allowed Libor Sionko to equalize for the Czech team, pulling away from his marker and heading beyond Portugal goal keeper Ricardo.

After that, Czech Republic pretty much dominated the first half, with Portugal getting an occasional break, but Czech Republic seemed well in control, passing around fluently and creating one or two opportunities. Just before half time, though, Ronaldo got a free kick thirty three meters from the goal, and everyone’s heads were turned. The ball swerved violently through the air, but the strong hands of Petr Cech kept the ball out.

As Czech Republic kicked off for the second half, it was soon apparent Portugal were going to get the third goal of the game, playing fluent football and creating some good opportunities. Then, inevitably, on the sixty third minute Deco played ‘that man’ Cristiano Ronaldo in to smash the ball under a helpless Petr Cech from just outside the penalty area.

Portugal knew they were not safe yet though, and kept on playing brilliant football. Czech Republic looked increasingly beaten as the game progressed, and then in stoppage time for the end of the game a counter attack and a long ball led to Ronaldo selfishly passing to Quaresma who passed the ball calmly into open goal.

Overall a good performance from Portugal, who are almost definitely through to the knock out stage, all they have to do is get a point against Switzerland and they are guaranteed a place in the last eight.

Final Score:
Czech Republic 1 – 3 Portugal

Watch the GOALS:

Comments June 12th, 2008