Under 19 Championchip: Czech Republic vs Poland 2:0
The Czech Republic ended Poland's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship as goals in either half from Marek Strestik and Martin Fenin secured first place in Group A.
Czech success
The match began with all four sides in the section level on three points, with Poland first and the Czechs second by virtue of their goal difference. However, the host nation fell behind at the Groclin-Dyskobolia SSA stadium in Grodzisk Wielkopolski as Strestik broke the deadlock following a corner and, with the Poles forced to commit men forward in search of the equaliser that would have guaranteed a semi-final spot, Fenin strode through to add a clinching second in the closing stages.
Strestik breakthrough
In a tournament that had seen 47 goals in ten previous games, this encounter started cautiously, perhaps reflecting the situation in the section. The Polish back line looked particularly nervous and presented Fenin with two good chances, with the FK Teplice striker having the first effort blocked before a powerful volley flew straight at Przemysław Tytoń. The Czechs' next corner brought the breakthrough as Strestik was unchallenged on the edge of the area and cut past his marker before firing in a shot that Krzysztof Król on the line could only divert into the roof of the net.
Sacha opening
If Poland were downhearted by that goal, they did not show it as they began the second half in positive mood with Mariusz Sacha cutting in from the right and flashing a left-footed shot just past the post. A reminder of the Czech threat at the other end was never far away, however, and Jarosław Fojut had to recover his own error to produce a perfectly-timed tackle on Fenin as the striker bore down on goal. Unsurprisingly Dawid Janczyk was closely marked by the Czech defence following his hat-trick against Belgium on matchday two, although the Polish striker did escape the attention of his markers to send a dipping shot wide of the target.
Fenin clincher
With time running out, Kamil Oziemczuk's run through the Czech defence nearly brought a equaliser before Radek Petr's intervention but seconds later the game, and Polish interest in the finals, was ended as a long ball found Fenin running on goal and this time the striker's aim was true. The Czechs will therefore meet Group B runners-up Scotland in the last four, while the hosts finished third in the standings and will play in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.
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