CZE: Karel Poborsky (53).

POR: -.

CZE: Kouba 6; Latal (RED, 82), Suchoparek 7, Kadlec 6.5, Nemec 6; Bejbl 7, Hornak 7, Nemecek 6 (Berger, 90), POBORSKY 7, Smicer 6 (Kubik, 85); Kuka 5.5.

POR: Baia 6; Secretario 5.5, Couto 5.5, Helder 6, Dimas 6; Paulo Sousa 5.5, Rui Costa 5, Figo 4.5 (Cadete, 83), Joao Pinto 5, Oceano 5 (Folha, 65); Sa Pinto 4.5 (Domingos, 46 - 4.5).

REFEREE: Helmut Krug (Germany).

AUDIENCE: 30.000, Villa Park, Birmingham.

YELLOW CARDS: Suchoparek, Smicer, Latal, Bejbl, Kuka (Czech Republic); Helder, Sa Pinto, Secretario, Joao Pinto (Portugal).

RED CARDS: Latal (Czech Republic); NONE (Portugal).

The first three quarterfinals didn't bring us any extraordinary results. But the last game brought us the move that shocked Europe. Karel Poborsky (53) took the ball 35 meters from the net, penetrated through the fence of legs built by Couto and Sousa, and then, passing by centimeters the box line, sent a great bounce over Vitor Baia into the net. This surprising goal of the Czechs eventually became a winner.

Poborsky probably achieved a card to any top European club, and the Czechs surprised, but a lot of yellow cards and a red one for Latal spoiled the mood for Czechs up to a certain extent. Bejbl, Kuka, Suchoparek and Latal won't play vs France, and this can be significant, considering the wonderful work those players have done yesterday.

The Portuguese team was better than the Czechs, but their pressure was optic, with no real opportunities; we could admire the Portuguese skill in handling the ball, but nothing more than that. In the 1st half, Portugal had just 3 opportunities. Oceano (15) shot a good ball from 35 meters, above the bar, and Couto (20) headed it home, only to see Kouba well-placed. The best opportunity was of Sa Pinto (24) who penetrated into the box and shot to the far corner of Kouba; however, the keeper, being close to Sa Pinto, stretched and parried the ball well. On the other side, just a header of Hornak (9) after a pass of Poborsky could be considered as a potential threat.

The 2nd half had more opportunities, and a goal. Baia managed to deny the balls from Smicer (49) and Latal (63), while in between, there was a terrific goal move of Poborsky described above. Kadlec (71) shot from a free kick, 25 meters from the net, and the ball passed near the left post of Baia. The substitute Jorge Cadete headed it away after a pass of Folha (85), and Kouba took the balls of Rui Costa (67) and Secretario (90). And here it ended. The Czechs seem by now "The Surprise Of The Tournament", being similar to Denmark in 1992. But who knows, maybe, they will be similar at the end to Czechoslovakia of 1976, with the Cup in the hands of their captain...

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