Three-time European champions Germany exited the EURO 2004 after going down to a 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic in Lisbon on Wednesday. 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.
Two draws and this defeat means Germany have not won in the
European championships for eight years with their last triumph
coming against the Czechs in the Euro 96 final at Wembley.
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 win and 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.
Rudi Voeller's team 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.
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.
Voeller introduced the 18-year-old Lukas Podolski for his first appearance in Portugal in the second half. The Germans had many 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 German defenders before lashing a shot at Kahn. The Bayern Munich keeper parried brilliantly but the Liverpool striker picked up the rebound and tucked it into the net.
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[bild1]Three-time European champions Germany exited the EURO 2004 after going down to a 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic in Lisbon on Wednesday. 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.
Two draws and this defeat means Germany have not won in the
European championships for eight years with their last triumph
coming against the Czechs in the Euro 96 final at Wembley.
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 win and 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.
Rudi Voeller's team 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.
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.
Voeller introduced the 18-year-old Lukas Podolski for his first appearance in Portugal in the second half. The Germans had many 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 German defenders before lashing a shot at Kahn. The Bayern Munich keeper parried brilliantly but the Liverpool striker picked up the rebound and tucked it into the net.
