The second stage of EURO 2012 gets underway with Group A winners Czech Republic taking on Group B runners-up Portugal live from 4:45am at the Poland National Stadium in Warsaw.
Nobody would have given the Czechs a chance of progressing after their abject showing in their first group match, being thumped by Russia 4-1. With star man Tomas Rosicky set to return after missing the 1-0 victory over Poland, the Czechs will go into this game with nothing to lose, and very high on confidence.
It’s a similar tale for Portugal, who lost their first group match (although there is little shame in a 1-0 defeat to Germany) before edging out both Denmark and the Netherlands to progress from the so-called ‘Group of Death’. There’s no question that this team will be entirely reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Real Madrid star will have to turn in a strong performance with the entire world watching.
The likenesses don’t end with their group stage efforts, either. Both teams were second best in their qualifying group; the Portuguese finished behind Denmark (and acted out a healthy dose of revenge in the tournament proper) before seeing off Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoffs. The Czechs were always going to be up against the wall with Spain in their group, and took on Montenegro in the playoff round, winning both legs.
It’s interesting to note how close both teams came to not even getting to the playoffs – Portugal finished ahead of Norway by virtue of goal difference, and had Scotland beaten a second-string Spain team on the final match day, the Czechs too, would have been usurped.
But as it is, they both rode their luck qualifying and have continued it all the way to the knock-out stage. And now on of these almost-didn’t-make-it’s is 90 (or 120!) minutes away from the semi-finals. You’ve got to love that.
Join us just before kick-off at 4:45 for all the team news, line-ups and formations.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Well, a fine performance in the end from Ronaldo, the others were just along for the ride and that ride will continue to the last four!! Jiracek was the best for the Czechs but that doesn't say much, they were very much a side that was happy to be in the second round and never played with any real endeavour. Perhaps is Rosicky had played and Baros was at full fitness things might have been different - but we can't live in a world of hypotheticals and the Portuguese march on to face either Spain or France!! Again, it's now time for work but thanks for tuning in. Feel free to send us a tweet @TheRoarSports or myself @TheMattBungard - by for now.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
FULL TIME CZECH REPUBLIC 0 PORTUGAL 1
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
It's cleared and with an open goal at their mercy it's thwarted by Limbersky before anyone can get a shot away. Portugal free kick, though.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
93rd min, POR 1-0 A corner for the Czech Republic!! Surely not... Cech is up, by the way.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
92nd min, POR 1-0 Almeida is through on goal, but offside. Three minutes to go.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Five minutes of added time to come.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
90th min, POR 1-0 Limbersky fouls Joao Pereira and will get a booking, he will miss the next match if by some miracle the Czechs pull out a win here.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
89th min, POR 1-0 I just wish he'd gone off earlier so I wouldn't have to keep typing his incredibly-annoying-to-spell name, but Meireles is off and on comes Rolando.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
88th min, POR 1-0 Ronaldo goes down in the area, but to be fair to him doesn't appeal for the spot kick. Howard Webb waves play on.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
87th min, POR 1-0 Meireles sends that one miles over. He was offside anyway. The Czechs will just try to lump it forward now.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
86th min, POR 1-0 Tomas Pekhart is on, Hubschman is off. Striker on for a holding midfielder, why not?
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
84th min, POR 1-0 A great shot of Figo and Eusebio embracing in the crowd. Oh and Nani has gone off. Custodio on in his place.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
83rd min, POR 1-0 Joao Periera gets forward and hits a shot into the bottom corner - it flicks Ronaldo on the way through and Cech does very well to tip it around.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
He came in from the left and a bullet header gave Cech very little chance. Who else was going to score, really? The Czechs have ten minutes to turn this around!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
79th min RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
79th min, 0-0 Jiraceck goes on a mazy run, beats a couple but his cross is easily claimed by Patricio.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
74th min, 0-0 So close from Nani!!! He goes for the chip over the on-rushing Cech and the slightest of deflections was enough to change the trajectory, and it's just a corner.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
72nd min, 0-0 Ronaldo the provider this time, holding up two defenders and laying it off to Meireles who skies it over from near the penalty spot.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
67th min, 0-0 Kadlec is down after a nasty collision with his own keeper.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
66th min, 0-0 Audacity from Cech! He recieves the back pass and with Ronaldo bearing down on him, turns him like a tricky winger.