Czech Republic send Germany home

Germany crashed out of Euro 2004 with a whimper as a disappointing 2-1 defeat by an already qualified Czech Republic side saw them finish the group stage with just two points.

The Czechs triumphed despite dropping nine first team regulars as Germany paid the price of a sloppy defence and a total lack of fire-power up front.

Germany, knowing nothing less than a win would see them progress, got off to a nervous start, with Kevin Kuranyi playing as their only out and out striker, supported by the largely impressive Michael Ballack.

The Czechs were first to threaten and German goalkeeper Oliver Khan was called into action after just four minutes as Vratislav Lokvenc got on the end of a Marek Heinz free-kick to put Martin Jiranek through on goal, before Khan dived bravely at his feet to save.

That chance seemed to act as a wake-up call to Germany, who found steadied themselves and then broke the deadlock on the 21st minute. Ballack, who has been Germany's most impressive player throughout the tournament, let fly with a rasping left-foot drive from 20 metres that nestled in the top of the net.

However that lead lasted just nine minutes. Czech midfielder Marek Heinz was cut down by defender Philipp Lahm as he charged in on goal, before he dusted himself down and stepped up to curl an unstoppable free-kick high into the top left corner of Kahn's net to level.

Just 60 seconds into the second half, the Czechs almost took the lead when Lokvenc forced a fine point-blank save from Kahn after a dangerous cross from the right.

Germany then had chances as Bernd Schneider produced a powerful shot that Czech goalkeeper Jaromir Blazek tipped over, before Ballack then crashed a 65th minute shot off the left post that Schneider should have scored from the follow-up but hit a tame effort at Blazek.

Time and ideas were running out for Germany as all too often the final ball went astray for Rudi Voller's men. Liverpool striker Milan Baros was then introduced by the Czechs on the hour mark and it was he who had the final say in affairs.

With 13 minutes to go, the Czech striker skipped past some stationary German defenders before lashing a shot at Kahn. The Bayern Munich keeper did well to parry the shot, but it bounced straight back to Baros who made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Filed by Rob Wright