Germany 2 Czech Republic 1

First Team
Sunday, 25.03.2007 / 10:26

Torsten Frings and Per Mertesacker were both part of the German starting eleven which beat the Czech Republic 2:1 in Prague (1:0) in qualifying Group D for the European Championships.

Torsten Frings and Per Mertesacker were both part of the German starting eleven which beat the Czech Republic 2:1 in Prague (1:0) in qualifying Group D for the European Championships. The win sees Germany pull clear at the top of the group after overcoming what would appear to their greatest hurdle along the way to the championships. A Kevin Kuranyi brace made the difference on the night. “We are happy and satisfied with our game. If we’d have taken one or two of our other chances we could have put a cap on this match much earlier”, summed up Per Mertesacker after the final whistle.

 

Both sides made an attacking and lively start in front of just 18,000 at the Sparta-Stadium in Prague. The hosts had the first, and their only, chance of the first chance through Milan Baros after three minutes but the Euro 2004’s top scorer had his shot blocked down by Michael Ballack.

 

The German’s took control of the proceedings and were particularly effective down the left flank with Marcell Jansen. Bernd Schneider came close with a header after five minutes, whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger was twice frustrated by Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech (12’/ 21’).

 

The keeper from FC Chelsea was again called into action in the 24th minute, making a spectacular save from Bayern Munich’s Lukas Podolski who fired in a shot from 22 meters. In the 41st minute the keeper was again on hand to save from Podolski but a minute later Cech, who was wearing a protective rugby helmet after his severe head injury, could do nothing to stop his side falling behind. Torsten Frings swung in a corner which Kevin Kuranyi rose highest to give the visitors a deserved 1:0 lead. Just on half time Podolski cracked a ferocious effort off the crossbar (45’).

 

The Czechs made a bright re-start in the second half and had chances to draw level through Milan Baros (48’, 59’) and Tomas Rosicky (55’) but Jens Lehmann stood strong. A pacy counter attack on the hour should have seen Germany increase their lead as Podolsi squared for Bernd Schneider, who got the ball caught between his feet and allowed the Czech defence to re-group. A cross rfom Phillipp Lahm, who had moved from the left to the right side of the back four, was met again in the air by Kuranyi and the visitors doubled their lead. It was the Schalke striker 17th goal in his 37th appearance for his country.

 

Podolski had a chance to make it three (70’), as did Kuranyi (72’) but with too many chances to seal the deal being wasted, the Czech’s took theirs and made the closing phase a nervous affair for the visitors. A low, distance effort from Jan Polak took a wicked deflection off Milan Baros and wrong footed Jens Lehmann. The Czech Republic were back in the match and could ave equalised but Baros was unable to beat Lehmann a second time despite chances (78’, 79’). The German side came through a tough closing phase to take all three points a pull away at the top of their group.

 

In Group D Germany are top with 13 points ahead of the Czech Republic and the Republic of Ireland (both 10 points). It was a vital win in a group that could prove very interesting for second place and qualification for Austria / Switzerland next year.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

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