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This is an archive article published on June 21, 2004

Czechs cheer the ‘Champs’

The Czech Republic became the first team through to the quarter-finals of EURO 2004 thanks to a breathless 3-2 victory over the Netherlands ...

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The Czech Republic became the first team through to the quarter-finals of EURO 2004 thanks to a breathless 3-2 victory over the Netherlands last night. While the Czechs were celebrating this morning, Latvia too had reason to be cheerful. However, the mood was not so good in the German and Dutch press as we discover…

Latvia-Germany: 0-0

Latvia collected their first-ever point at a EURO finals drawing 0-0 against Germany. Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko kept a clean sheet, while Aleksandrs Starkovs was in no doubt the brains behind the achievement. While giving interviews after the game both the goalkeeper and coach slipped up calling the result ‘a win’, instead of ‘a draw’. But this is the case when the first is quite equal to the second.
(Sportnews/Latvia)

A horrible 0-0 draw against Latvia — is there anything positive that can be said? Yes, there is. We have remained second in the table and (theoretically) still have every chance of reaching the quarter-finals. However, on Wednesday, we will probably have to beat the Czechs and how can we do that? To remind you the Czechs are a super team who played the immensely strong Dutch into the ground in a gigantic match, winning 3-2 after being 2-0 down. They have a superstar by the name of Pavel Nedved, who has more feelings in his feet and runs more than the entire German team together.
(Bild/Germany)

Netherlands-Czech Republic: 2-3

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The Dutch national team had a dream start in their EURO 2004 match against the Czechs. Within 20 minutes Holland led 2-0 but a wrong pass from Phillip Cocu and inexplicable substitution from coach Dick Advocaat brought the Oranje down. A pity for the millions of wannabe coaches is that the only real national team coach took off his best player Arjen Robben, a change no one could understand.
(De Telegraaf/Netherlands)

You are true champions, guys! This was a much better adventure than a Robbie Williams mega concert or Giorgio Armani fashion show. The torrential battle ended with a 3-2 victory, which means advancing to the quarter-finals from the top spot. (Coach Karel) Bruckner’s risky decisions seemed to be self-destruction in the face of a stellar attack. However, the Czechs survived the Dutch chances to grind out a victory in the end.
(Blesk/Czech Republic)

(Source: UEFA.COM)

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