| Το
match, όπως το είδε το επίσημο site του Euro2004:
Dellas delight stuns Czechs
by Mark Chaplin from Estadio do Dragao
Greece will play Portugal in the final of UEFA
EURO 2004™ after Traianos Dellas' header in added time at the end of the
first half of silver goal extra time knocked out the Czech Republic.
Dellas decisive
The goal that settled a dramatic and entertaining second semi-final in
Porto eventually arrived in the 106th minute as Vassilios Tsiartas swung
over a corner, and Dellas nipped in to steer in a header at the near post
and send the Greeks and their fans into ecstasy, and a totally unexpected
final appearance.
One change each
The Czech Republic made one change from the side that defeated Denmark
in the quarter-finals, Zdenek Grygera coming in at right-back to replace
Martin Jiranek, who was ruled out by a hamstring injury. Following the
Greeks' shock win against holders France, coach Otto Rehhagel brought
back Zisis Vryzas up front after suspension in place of Themistoklis Nikolaidis.
Rosicky denied
Backed by a noisy contingent of fans, Greece were fortunate not to fall
behind after only two minutes as Tomas Rosicky volleyed against the crossbar
from 20 metres with Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis motionless.
The vibrant Czechs maintained their early pressure, Nikopolidis beating
away Marek Jankulovski's fierce drive for a corner moments later.
Cech called upon
Greece finally broke out, with Georgios Karagounis able to test Czech
keeper Petr Cech with a long-range free-kick, and the underdogs slowly
settled down after a nervous opening to the match. Giourkas Seitaridis
was booked after 22 minutes for hauling down Milan Baros as Greece tried
to counter the Czechs' superior technique with industry and commitment,
and chances were few and far between as the half-hour approached of a
tight contest.
Greek opportunities
However, the next opportunity fell to Greece after 29 minutes as Vryzas
burst powerfully down the left and Cech was forced to dive to palm his
low cross away to safety. The livewire Karagounis then fired wide from
25 metres as Rehhagel's men enjoyed a promising spell of pressure.
Nikopolidis needed
Back came the Czechs and Nikopolidis had to dive at Pavel Nedved's feet
to halt a mazy run. Two minutes later, Nikopolidis made a brilliant save
to deny Jankulovski as the Greeks came under renewed threat. Nedved suffered
a leg injury in the move, and the knock ultimately proved too serious
for the Czech captain to continue. Vladimir Smicer arrived in Nedved's
place shortly before half-time, and the match remained goalless at the
break.
Yellow cards
The substitute assumed a role on the left of midfield with Rosicky taking
over the playmaker's role for the Czechs, who had Tomas Galasek booked
after 48 minutes for a challenge on Angelos Charisteas in a tense, foul-ridden
opening to the second half. Smicer was then shown the yellow card six
minutes later when he brought down Seitardis.
Czech chances
The first real action ended with Karel Poborsky curling an effort wide
from one free-kick, and Jan Koller's header from a Poborsky corner hit
Baros and went wide as the Czechs put together a period of pressure which
also saw Rosicky miss the target from 20 metres.
Mounting tension
The stalemate persisted past the hour, and it looked increasingly like
a single goal would settle the game. Vryzas almost did the trick when
Greece attacked, but his header was straight at Cech from a Karagounis
free-kick. At the other end, Poborsky's audacious lob sailed just over
the top as the pace picked up. Greek striker Charisteas was the next into
the book on 70 minutes for tripping Tomas Ujfalusi.
Near misses
Koller then shot wide when unmarked in front of goal before Baros wriggled
through the Greek defence only to curl his effort wide of the far post
as the Czechs pressed for a late winner. But Greece, who saw Karagounis
pick up an 87th-minute booking that would rule him out of the final, held
on to force extra time.
Greece on top
Greece almost stole a 94th-minute lead when Cech blocked substitute Stylianos
Giannakopoulos' header. Baros was then booked for fouling Panagiotis Fyssas,
and Cech parried a Dellas header from point-blank range as the Greeks looked
the fresher side, pushing forward constantly, and they were rewarded in
dramatic fashion. |
