Memorable moments: one of the best games in history or Czech Republic’s turnaround against the Netherlands

It was June 19, 2004. On that morning, no one knew what a historic match awaited us. The Czech Republic challenged the Netherlands in the preliminary group at the European Championship and this duel later went down in history as one of the best on the European stage.

Yet the match started horribly for the Czechs. Wilfred Bouma scored in the 4th minute to send the Netherlands into the lead. The Oranjes continued to set up big opportunities. The Orange avalanche was pouring on Petr Čech and the Czech defenders were having a hard time catching the runs of Robben and co.

In the 20th minute it was 2:0. The great cannonballer Ruud Van Nistelrooy was forgotten behind the Czech defence, where Robben fed him the ball in front of an empty net and the Manchester United striker made no mistake.

So Karel Brückner couldn’t watch and took offensive all-rounder Vladimir Smicer off the bench to replace defender Zdenek Grygera. However, this substitution took place after the following situation.

The Dutch lead didn’t last long, however, as Jan Koller reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute. A huge mistake was made by Giovanni van Bronkhorst, who sent Milan Baros into the solo. He ran across half the field, fought with two defenders and the goalkeeper in the penalty area and finally passed to a completely free Koller, who had no problem scoring.

The Dutch continued to be very dangerous. In the 32nd minute, Heitingha was able to get a shot off from distance, but his shot was deflected just over the crossbar by Petr Čech. Just before half-time, Heitinga centred into the area where Robben won the ball. He crossed it to Davids, who didn’t hesitate and crossed the ball. Fortunately for the Czech team, he only hit the left post of Čech’s goal. The score was 2:1.

The Czechs certainly had nothing to lose and took the reins in the second half. Karel Poborský was very active on the right side, trying to create chances for his teammates. But the biggest chance of the second half was again for the Dutch.

Robben played with the Irishman and centred in front of the goal right on van Nistelrooy’s head, but Petr Cech pulled off a fantastic save to grab a certain goal.

In the 71st minute came a footballing treat. Koller worked a long ball onto his chest on the whitewash, set it up for Milan Baros, who placed his shot beautifully and hit the top right corner of the Dutch goal, Van der Saar stretching in vain.

But just a minute later, the Dutch had a huge chance. Van der Meide raced through on goal, but Cech parried his attempt with his foot and headed away for a corner kick. At that moment there was a wild whirlwind on the pitch and a show of footballing splendour.

Chances were spilling over from one side to the other and even in the stands the spectators were in great euphoria. The Czechs were helped a little in the 78th minute by Heitinga, who pulled down a leaking Nedved and saw a red card.

The Czech captain sent in a hard shot from a direct kick, which Van der Saar had difficulty deflecting in front of him, while Rozehnal tried to finish, but the Dutch goalkeeper pulled the ball back at the last moment.

85. the next minute brought another Pavel Nedved bomb. The experienced midfielder sent a shot from long range, but his projectile only ended up on the crossbar. Poborský got to the deflected ball, but his header went over.

In the 88th minute, however, the Czech fans were overwhelmed with genuine euphoria. Heinz’s shot from the penalty spot was deflected by Van der Saar only to Poborský, who did not rush and selflessly passed the ball to Šmicer, who made no mistake in front of an empty net.

But the heart attack continued. A minute later, a lone Bronckhorst appeared in front of the Czech, but luckily did not reach the centre from deep inside the box.

Karel Brückner’s charges could thus breathe a sigh of relief and got a very valuable three points. Thanks to this win, they secured their qualification from Group D and finally made it to the bronze medals at the Euros. This match will go down in history as one of the best at the European Championships.

Source: UEFA, Czech national football team