Game in a sentence
An open yet frustrating game between Poland and The Czech Republic ends 1-0 for the top-of-the-group Czechs, a side who many wrote off at the start of the tournament.
Observations
- Like in their opener against Greece, Poland dominated the match in the early going and despite getting plenty of chances inside the box, they were highly wasteful connecting with just three of their ten attempts.
- The Czechs looked weak in the early going when defending set pieces and tracking the runs of Sebastian Boenisch and Eugen Polanski, but thanks to some heroic displays by Tomas Hubschman, the Czechs grabbed control of the game.
- Poland’s passing looked very lethal and opened up the Czechs, but they soon looked fatigued and played individualistic which led to lost possession and a decline in passing and possession.
- The Czech Republic started out the game by trying to expose the right flank, but Boenisch and Perquis shut them down. The attack then moved to the right flank where they got more attempts.
- Tomas Rosicky was missed as the Czech Republic missed his presence in the center, the one area where goal scoring opportunities were lackluster.
- Just as halftime approached, Greece, who were playing Russia, scored just before halftime making it 1-0. The Czechs had to score and win in order to progress. Michal Bilek must have told his players that the next forty-five minutes would make or break the squad’s chances of playing football beyond June 16th.
- The second forty-five continued where it left off with the Czechs peppering Przemyslaw Tyton’s goal, but there was still no end product despite five shots with two on target from the start of the second half until the seventy-first minute.
- Finally after 72 minutes, Petr Jiracek grabbed the first tally of the game and his second of the Euros after some superb footwork and a quick, accurate finish after a beautiful play by Tomas Hubschman who won the ball back in his own half before playing it to Milan Baros who found the Wolfsburg midfielder for a strike through (surprise, surprise) the left flank.
- It was a goal waiting to happen after a good forty minutes of Czech control, but Poland will still feel as if they were hard done by after yet another fast start.
- Franciszek Smuda made two changes starting in the seventy-third minute, bringing on Pawel Brozak for Ludovic Obraniak and Adrian Mierzejewski for Rafal Murawski to instill some more stamina into a seemingly tired squad, but they still didn’t produce a whole lot.
- The best chance for Poland came late into added time when Michal Kadlec made a tournament saving goal line clearance. It was the perfect ending to a very solid showing by the Bayer Leverkusen defender.
- In the end, it was the Czechs progressing as Group A winners with the hosts Poland going home despite being a reasonably entertaining side to watch, but that’s football, it’s not always the most “attractive” teams who get through, it’s the ones who deserve it, and the Czechs deserved it tonight.
Three Stars
1. Tomas Hubschman
2. Michal Kadlec
3. Petr Jiracek
Not a pretty team, but after losing the opening match 4-1 they showed some real character to win the last 2 matches. They earned it the hard way
I liked the play of the Czech fullbacks.
Yeah, I didn’t include them, but they still deserve the plaudits. I especially liked Limbersky in the second half.
KJ + Cox quotes =) I’m paraphrasing of course.
“The Russians have been outstanding!! Look out for them in the knock out stages.”
“The Poles will have too much to offer the Czech’s, Poland to go through no prob.”
“The Czech’s…against Poland…in Poland?? Needing to hold that world class star studded offensive Polish line up??? No chance for the Czechs.”
“The lowly Greeks suck. I mean, why didn’t we bother to talk about how the economic disaster back home could have spurred this team on?? Oh wait, the Italians being spurred on by match fixing allegations sounds waaaaaay cooler. Russia to win this game 5-0.”
hahahaha world class analysis boys, keep it up!
Wow, surprising outcomes today. I was disappointed with Poland’s effort.
Moreso the second half….for whatever reason, they looked tired and too reactive.
Entertaining match nonetheless. This is why I love cup football, no one knows who’s going to win or progress. I don’t think anyone picked the Czechs to win the group and the Greeks to be runners up. I know I didn’t. The Russians have a lot to work to do, especially with their center defender positions…too much space.
Didier or Zlatan or whoever you want to call yourself, you need to give it a rest. If you don’t like KJ’s, Sharm’s or any of their guest’s commentary…you can always just stop watching the vodcasts and reading the blogs.
Absolutely horrendous your commentary is.
You got me all wrong big boy.
I love KJ, Sharms and the whole crew. I especially loved Budgie though, he was the best.
This town is now big enough for a troll. It deserves a good villain. I wouldn’t do anything to anyone! They complete meeeeeeeeee.
Most people’s opinions are derived from logical, rational, and empirically driven thoughts and that’s cool. Mine aren’t =)
All logic and rationale was deemed void when chelsea won the champions league. Nothing makes sense anymore.
And what’s with your last line? You have Yoda Turrets or something???
“Gunner4Life I am” LOL!!!! And nice to know you’re an arsenal fan hahahaha i’m sure the ladies dig 3rd place.
What ship has never docked at The Emirates in over 6-7 years???
Ans: A championship.
HAHAHAHA GET IT??? A “CHAMPION’SHIIIIIIIIIP??
Next lesson: Wenger’s decision making skillz
http://i51.tinypic.com/s6oy7l.png
LOL!