Czech coach Bilek proves a point
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2012, Monday
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UNDER fire for poor performances in qualifying and booed after a demoralizing loss to Russia, Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek is now an unexpected success at the European Championship.
Hammered 4-1 by the Russians, the Czechs looked set for only a short stay at the tournament until victories over Greece and co-host Poland took them to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2004.
Not only that, the Czechs finished top of Group A after their 1-0 victory over the Poles in Wroclaw on Saturday.
They could now face any team from a tough Group B - Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal or Denmark - in Thursday's quarterfinals in Warsaw.
Joyful and full of confidence, Bilek said: "Now, a medal is at stake. And we want it."
The jeering was absent during a gripping game against the host in which Bilek's men had to play without their injured captain and playmaker Tomas Rosicky.
The Czechs withstood early Polish pressure and took the lead in the 72nd minute when Petr Jiracek collected a pass from Milan Baros and cut inside a defender before slotting the ball into the net. And that was enough.
Hammered 4-1 by the Russians, the Czechs looked set for only a short stay at the tournament until victories over Greece and co-host Poland took them to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2004.
Not only that, the Czechs finished top of Group A after their 1-0 victory over the Poles in Wroclaw on Saturday.
They could now face any team from a tough Group B - Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal or Denmark - in Thursday's quarterfinals in Warsaw.
Joyful and full of confidence, Bilek said: "Now, a medal is at stake. And we want it."
The jeering was absent during a gripping game against the host in which Bilek's men had to play without their injured captain and playmaker Tomas Rosicky.
The Czechs withstood early Polish pressure and took the lead in the 72nd minute when Petr Jiracek collected a pass from Milan Baros and cut inside a defender before slotting the ball into the net. And that was enough.
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