Euro 2004: Czech Republic 2 Latvia 1

The heavily favoured Czech national football side has won its opening match at the Euro 2004 football tournament in Portugal. Despite concentrated pressure by Czech players inlcuding Karel Poborsky, Milan Baros, and Pavel Nedved in the first half, Latvia scored just before half-time on a beautiful cross by Blagonadezdins to Verpakovskis. He tapped the ball easily into the open net.

Latvia then led 1-0 well into the 2nd before Czech striker Milan Baros scored in the 73rd minute to put his side back in the game. Marek Heinz then added a 2nd in the 85th to put the Czechs ahead for good.

Author: Jan Velinger