Poland dumped out by Czechs

With Greece leading 1-0 against Russia in Warsaw, the Czechs needed victory to qualify for the knock-out stages, and it was only secured by a last-gasp goal-line clearance from Michal Kadlec.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

With Greece leading 1-0 against Russia in Warsaw, the Czechs needed victory to qualify for the knock-out stages, and it was only secured by a last-gasp goal-line clearance from Michal Kadlec.It meant that the Czech Republic progress as group winners and will play the runners up from Group B - either Germany, Portugal, Denmark or Holland.Before kick off it seemed likely that a draw would be enough for the Czechs, with Russia expected to beat Greece, whilst Poland knew that only a win would continue their interest in the tournament.And the scenario was illustrated perfectly in the first half as Poland poured forward, whilst those from just across the border seemed reluctant to commit men in attack.But hearing news of the Greek's goal at half time forced the side who lost their opening game 4-1 to Russia to push men forward.It seemed inevitable that their superior class would eventually tell, as they created several chances before Jiracek struck with a neat finish.The hosts will be disappointed as they produced little to threaten their neighbours. In front of an expectant crowd in Wroclaw they created little, and can only point to a first-half Robert Lewandowski chance and the last-ditch effort from Jakub Blaszczykowski which produced Kadlec's dramatic clearance.