Brückner laments Rosický’s absence
June 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: Czech Republic, Karel Bruckner
Coach Karel Brückner said on Monday that Tomáš Rosický’s injury-enforced absence from UEFA EURO 2008™ was a major factor in the Czech Republic’s first-round exit.
Sorely missed
Rosický was in the stands at the Stade de Genève to witness Brückner’s team squander a two-goal lead as they were beaten 3-2 by Turkey to miss out on a place in the quarter-finals. Though the veteran coach praised his strikers, he admitted Rosický’s invention behind them had been sorely missed. “[Jan] Koller, [Milan] Baroš and [Václav] Svěrkoš played very well when they were on the pitch, and did all that I asked of them,” said the 68-year-old. “But there were other parts of the team that were weaker, especially in terms of creativity, and we were weak on the wings. You can’t replace Rosický. We knew that before the tournament. There are only a few teams that can replace a player like that.”
Czech Republic search for new heroes
June 16, 2008 at 7:56 pm | In Czech Republic | Leave a CommentTags: Czech Republic, Jan Koller, Jaroslav Plasil, Petr Cech, Tomas Galasek, Tomas Rosicky
Tomáš Rosický told euro2008.com the Czech Republic were “heartbroken” after their dramatic elimination from UEFA EURO 2008™ by Turkey on Sunday.
‘Hard to take’
The Czechs led 2-0 midway through the second half of their winner-takes-all final group game in Geneva, but a frenetic last 15 minutes saw Turkey score three times to secure a place in the quarter-finals and leave Karel Brückner’s men devastated. “I have just left a dressing room which is heartbroken,” said Rosický, who would have captained the side in the tournament only for injury to rule him out. “It was difficult to deal with such an ordeal from the bench and I am sure it was even harder on the pitch. We were dominant in the first half and Turkey never seemed to be in the game at all.”
‘Devastated’ Čech reeling from KO
June 16, 2008 at 8:16 am | In Czech Republic | Leave a CommentTags: Chelsea, Czech Republic, Nihat Kahveci, Peth Cech, Tomas Ujfalusi, Turkey
Petr Čech said the Czech Republic’s elimination from UEFA EURO 2008™ “summed up his season” as he struggled to come to terms with a remarkable final group match against Turkey, who shattered the Czechs’ hopes of a quarter-final place with two moments of wonderful opportunism from forward Nihat Kahveci.
Absolutely devastated
Čech, who was at fault for Nihat’s first goal but had no chance with his spectacular second, admitted it would take a while to recover from the 3-2 defeat which not only ended the Czechs’ interest in the EURO but also ended his hopes of winning a trophy this season. “We are absolutely devastated,” he told euro2008.com. “It’s hard to believe what just happened. We felt we played very well in the first half and were in control of the game. Jan [Koller] gave us the lead and when we went two goals up there did not seem any way back for Turkey.
Who needs a penalty shoot-out?
June 16, 2008 at 8:06 am | In Czech Republic, Turkey | Leave a CommentTags: Arda Turan, Czech Republic, Jan Polak, Jaroslav Plasil, Libor Sionko, Marek Matejovsky, Nihat Kahveci, Petr Cech, Tuncay Sanli, Turkey, Zdenek Grygera
From the moment it became clear that second place in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group A could be decided by a penalty shoot-out between Turkey and the Czech Republic, most neutrals were willing the fixture in Geneva to be drawn, if only for the sheer novelty value. But who knew that regulation time would provide a marathon of drama that made the sprint of spot-kicks superfluous?
Improbable conclusion
It was exciting enough when Arda Turan pulled a goal back not long after the Czech Republic had doubled the lead. Then, when Nihat Kahveci took advantage of a real rarity, a Petr Čech fumble, in the 87th minute, penalties were somehow back on and in circumstances of heightened excitement. Except that Nihat struck again to make it 3-2 with one minute of normal time remaining, for Turkey’s second consecutive late winner. Yet even that was not the end of it, as Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was dismissed for a push on Jan Koller when the ball was out of play – that last detail meaning makeshift replacement Tuncay Şanlı did not have to face an immediate spot-kick and then perhaps several more.
Turkey fight back for last-eight place – Turkey 3 – 0 Czech Republic
June 15, 2008 at 9:16 pm | In Turkey | Leave a CommentTags: Czech Republic, Turkey
Two late Nihat Kahveci strikes booked ten-man Turkey a place in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ in an exhilarating finish to their Group A match against Czech Republic in Geneva.
Gripping finale
Jan Koller gave the Czechs a 34th-minute advantage with a thumping header before Jaroslav Plašil turned in Libor Sionko’s cross to double their lead two minutes past the hour. Turkey gave themselves a fighting chance thanks to Arda Turan’s low effort with 15 minutes left and Nihat capitalised on a Petr Čech error to level with three minutes left. With a penalty shoot-out looming Nihat galloped clear to send Turkey through with a spectacular finish, although there was still time for Volkan Demirel to be sent off for shoving Koller, Tuncay Şanlı taking over in goal as Turkey held on in a frantic finale to set up a quarter-final against Croatia.
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