Czechs Avoid Baltic Embarrassment
June 15, 2004
It would have been the biggest upset yet at Euro 2004, but unfortunately for tiny Latvia it was not meant to be. Despite the clear dominance of the Czechs, the Latvians were able to score first and stay ahead for most of the match.
Aware of their underdog status, Latvia still came to the pitch confident of being able to win or very least hold the Czechs to a draw. Latvian coach Aleksandrs Starkovs said before the game that Greece's opening day shock win over hosts Portugal proved anything was possible. "The Portugal result is a lesson on how the little teams can beat the favorites," Starkovs said.
That attitude was clearly spread to the entire squad, because the Latvians weren't afraid to take their chances when they presented themselves. The surprise lead came right before halftime when Maris Verpakovskis sunk a pointblank shot that stunned the Czechs.
The Czechs answered by peppering the Latvian goal with shots, however, keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko was able to handle everything that came his way.
The favorites came back from the break hoping to quickly equalize, but Czech captain and Juventus star Pavel Nedved and his teammates were unable to put anything past Kolinko. Only in the 73rd minute was Milan Baros able to bring the Czechs level after the Lativan keeper deflected a corner.
After that shook up the Latvians, the Czechs kept the pressure on and Marek Heinz put the Czechs ahead in the 85th minute.
After the tough win Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky conceeded the Lativans weren't as easy as had been hoped. "That was certainly the hardest match of the group. Against Holland and Germany it will definitely be easier," Rosicky said.
Lineups:
Czech Republic: Petr Cech; Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Galasek, Rene Bolf, Marek Jankulovski, Karel Poborsky, Jan Koller, Tomas Rosicky, Pavel Nedved, Milan Baros, Tomas Ujfalusi.
Latvia: Aleksandrs Kolinko, Igors Stepanovs, Vitalijs Astafjevs, Mihails Zemlinskis, Olegs Blagonadezdins, Aleksandrs Isakofvs, Imants Bleidelis, Maris Verpakovskis, Andrejs Rubins, Andrejs Prohorenkovs, Valentis Lobanovs.