Czech Republic v Portugal - Euro 2008

Milan Baros had the potential to be supremely dangerous going into this game, he was a replacement for the towering Jan Koller and looking to replicate his form of four years ago. He's not too great for club, can be stunning for country however and big tournaments really seem to spur him on.

Cech
Jankulovski, Ujfalusi, Rozehnal, Grygera
Matejovsky, Galasek, Polak, Sionko
Plasil, Baros

The following twelve substitutes were named for the Czech Republic: Koller, Blazek, Skacel, Zitka, Jarolim, Sverkos, Sivok, Pospech, Kadlec, Kovac, Fenin, Vicek.

All substitutions came late on in this game, the Czech Republic was the first side to make change and did so in the 68th minute when Vicek came on for Matejovsky. The second substitution was made in the 73rd minute as the huge Koller took to the field in place of Galasek, lastly Jarolim came on to replace Plasil in the 85th; five minutes before the final blow from Portugal.

The main danger man for Portugal going into this game had to be seen as Cristiano Ronaldo. The man has been in excellent form all season for club and looks to be taking this form into Euro 2008 also. He played excellent in this game against Czech Republic, he was also strong when Portugal played Turkey in the opening game.

Ricardo
Ferreira, Carvalho, Petit, Pepe, Bosingwa
Ronaldo, Moutinho, Deco, Simao
Nuno Gomes

The following twelve substitutes were named for Portugal: Nuno, Meira, Quaresma, Postiga, Meireles, Almeida, Nani, Alves, Miguel, Ribeiro, Veloso, Patricio.

Fernando Meira was the first substitute on for Portugal, he came on for Joao Moutinho in the 74th minute and the next was made five minutes later. Hugo Almeida was the man on in the 79th minute in place of Nuno Gomes, the final chance was then made a minute later when Simao was taken off and Quaresma was given an opportunity to shine.

As this game I saw Portugal achieving an easy win, Czech Republic have been an excellent side in the past but their current squad is not as strong as it has previously been. There are a good few weaknesses in the Czech Republic side, the same is true of the Portuguese team however and in the first half this was therefore an extremely even game. When Portugal went 1-0 up in the eighth minute then I thought it was all going to be plain sailing from there; Deco scrambled the ball into the net and the Portugal side seemed to be well and truly on top of things. In the 17th minute though their lead was stolen away from them as Czech Republic attacked them from a corner and Libor Sionko fired home from a header. Every time the Czech Republic had a set piece they looked dangerous, for the first time in the tournament Pepe and Ferreira looked unconvincing and every time the Czechs attacked they wobbled. Ricardo also was looking a bit unsteady in the Portuguese goal, the entire Portugal defence and the keeper also looked prone to conceding and as the two teams went in for half time the game was entirely even.

Cristiano Ronaldo always was a danger for Portugal coming forward in the first half, he took a good few minutes to really get going but once he did so he was always a threat. Nuno Gomes also performed well as the lone front man, he attacked the ball well and when going forward always the Portuguese attack was strong. It's in the defence that the problems of Portugal lie, they're great when in possession but extremely vulnerable from set pieces as was shown in this game through repeated attacks on the Portuguese defence from Czech corners and free-kicks. Other teams will surely be taking note of the Portuguese weakness, the side stands such a strong chance of winning Euro 2008 but if the team does not improve at defending set pieces then it could be this that sends them crashing out of the tournament.

I wouldn't like to have called who was going to score a second if anyone, Portugal were perhaps the more likely of the two and when the second goal came it certainly did not disappoint. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in scintillating form for Manchester United this season, the goal he scored in this game was taken right from the top draw and slotted coolly past Petr Cech without any problem whatsoever. The Ronaldo goal came in the 63rd minute, it was his first goal of the Euro 2008 tournament and nothing less than he deserved. I love watching C. Ronaldo play, he's my favourite football player at current and does in my opinion rank amongst the Manchester United footballing greats such as Eric Cantona, Bobby Charlton, George Best, and Peter Schmeichel also. It was excellent to see Portugal take the lead, the game could have been taken back to level pegging on numerous occasions but the Portuguese side soldiered on and made sure that a win was gained over the Czech Republic side on this particular occasion.

Just as they'd done so in the opening game; Portugal once more grabbed a last minute goal in order to ensure comfortable victory in this encounter. The third and final goal for Portugal came in the 90th minute, a great run from Ronaldo allowed him to square the ball comfortably to Ricardo Quaresma for an easy tap-in. Ronaldo timed his run to perfection, the Czech defence was left stranded and although he could have easily taken the chance for himself he happily passed the ball to Quaresma for an easy goal. Ronaldo has come on a lot as a player in the last few seasons; he used to be extremely selfish on the ball and always went for personal glory, his game play is now more intelligent however and he's always now happy to supply as well as score. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great all round player, it was his influence that led to a 3-1 victory for Portugal against the Czechs but it could so easily have been a whole different story. Had Ricardo not made an absolutely excellent save then it could have been 2-2; lady luck was not on the side of the Czech Republic on this occasion though and although Portugal did not deserve to win by two goals they did so. This easily could have been a draw but ultimately the game ended 3-1 to Portugal.

Without Cristiano Ronaldo this Portugal side would fail I feel, it's his creative inspiration more often than not that leads to their goals and without him there just wouldn't be that spark in the Portugal side. 2008 has been a great season for Ronaldo, lifting the UEFA European Football Championship cup would surely be the icing on the cake for the man and mark the end of a supremely successful season. Two games in and Portugal have gained two wins, this Portuguese side is one that has the potential to win this competition and I really hope that they do so. The Netherlands also are an excellent team, Portugal will not have the opportunity to play them until the Final however and that is assuming that both sides get there. Portugal will probably have to play Germany at some stage, that will be a tough game for them and one that will be a real test of character for this Portuguese team. There is no doubt in my mind that Portugal will finish top of Group A, the Czech Republic will probably be the team to join them but still have to see off Turkey in the final group game. Turkey versus the Czech Republic will be a tough game; my money would probably be on the Czech Republic to win it but it certainly won't be easy. Portugal versus Czech Republic was a hugely entertaining game, certainly one of the best in the tournament so far if not the very best game. Expect big things of this Portugal team in 2008; this could well be the year the Portuguese are crowned champions of Europe.

Final Score: Czech Republic 1 - 3 Portugal