Euro 2012: Czechs end Polish adventure

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http://www.espnstar.com/football/euro-championships/news/detail/item816531/Czechs-end-Polish-adventure/

Petr Jiracek's winner handed the Czech Republic a 1-0 win over Poland and ensured they squeaked into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 at the expense of the co-hosts.

Outplayed for the majority of the first half, the Czechs were seemingly stung into action after Greece took a half-time lead against Russia in the other Group A game in Warsaw.

That result left Michal Bilek's men needing all three points to reach the last eight and after dominating the tempo after the interval, Jiracek's calm finish ensured they topped the group, with Russia and Poland the eliminated teams.

Poland knew nothing less than a win would see them reach the knockout stages at the expense of the Czech Republic, who also needed three points to guarantee their qualification for the last eight.

Poland's Jakub Blaszczykowski went through on goal in injury time and lifted the ball over Petr Cech only for Tomas Sivok to head off the line, with the final whistle blown immediately after to herald scenes of jubilation from Bilek's men.