Czech Republic hero Petr Jiracek insisted his side were worthy winners against Poland as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
Czech hero feels his side were worthy winners against Poland
Czech Republic hero Petr Jiracek insisted his side were worthy winners against Poland as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
Jiracek scored the only goal of the game on a tense night in Wroclaw, linking up well with Milan Baros before slotting the ball beyond Przemyslaw Tyton in the 72nd minute.
Despite suffering a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Russia in their opening Group A clash, Michal Bilek's side are through to the last eight as group winners, with Greece joining them following their shock 1-0 success against Russia.
The Czechs were content to soak up pressure from Poland in the first period and then, when news filtered through from the other game that a victory was needed, stepped up a gear after the break.
"We had a poor start but we gradually improved, started to create chances and finally, we deserved to score," Jiracek said.
Started badly
The co-hosts came close to snatching a leveller in the closing moments when Michal Kadlec produced a superb goalline clearance to deny Jakub Blaszczykowski.
For goalkeeper Petr Cech, the success marked a much-needed clean sheet and confidence boost after his uncharacteristic error against Greece.
"We started badly and let the occasion get to us a little bit, the home side capitalised on our mistakes," admitted the Chelsea No.1.
"But with time we got better, we created chances and then scored a deserved goal.
"We knew the result (of the other game), they told us and we could see it on a screen, but we focused on ourselves, decided not to wait for miracles and to score instead."
