Baros fires Czechs into last four

The Czech Republic continued their determined Euro 2004 assault when two quick-fire goals by Milan Baros inspired a resounding 3-0 quarter-final win over Denmark on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Jan Koller's header put the Czechs on course for a fourth successive victory which set up a semi-final against Greece at the same Dragao Stadium on Thursday.

Images: Czech Republic vs Denmark

Greece, who upset France 1-0 in their quarter-final, will have to find another level to halt the Czech juggernaut, which is threatening to take them all the way to their second European title following their success in 1976 as Czechoslovakia.

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After a tight first half of few chances, the Czechs burst into life early in the second when Koller powered home a header from a Karel Poborsky corner in the 49th minute.

The goal was the result of poor defending, as the tallest man in the tournament was left unmarked and able to rise and choose his spot from 10 metres.

Baros, who had scored a goal in all three group games, then took centre stage.

In the 63rd minute, the forward ran on to a perfect Poborsky through ball and chipped past the advancing Thomas Sorensen for an exquisite goal.

Two minutes later Pavel Nedved set him on his way and after driving forward to the edge of the box he lashed a fierce shot past the despairing keeper to take him to the top of the Euro 2004 scoring charts with five goals.

The double strike knocked the stuffing out of the Danes, who had competed strongly in the first half without forcing Czech keeper Petr Cech to make a save and were similarly toothless in the second.

The Czech Republic's victory takes their European Championship winning run to a record-equalling five. The Euro 96 runners-up also beat Denmark in their last group game four years ago.

It also continued their dominance over the Danes, making it 12 wins, six draws and just one defeat in 19 meetings.

Teams:

Czech Republic (4-4-2): 1-Petr Cech; 13-Martin Jiranek (2-Zdenek Grygera 39), 21-Tomas Ujfalusi, 5-Rene Bolf (22-David Rozehnal 65), 6-Marek Jankulovski; 8-Karel Poborsky, 4-Tomas Galasek, 10-Tomas Rosicky, 11-Pavel Nedved; 15-Milan Baros (18-Marek Heinz 70), 9-Jan Koller.

Denmark (4-4-2): 1-Thomas Sorensen; 6-Thomas Helveg, 4-Martin Laursen, 3-Rene Henriksen, 2-Kasper Bogelund; 7-Thomas Gravesen, 17-Christian Poulsen, 14-Claus Jensen (21-Peter Madsen 71); 8-Jesper Gronkjaer (19-Dennis Rommedahl 77), 10-Martin Joergensen (23-Peter Lovenkrands 85), 9-Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

Linesmen: Yury Dupanau (Belarus), Vladimir Eniutin (Russia)