By Paul Fletcher
Our man in Portugal |
The Czech Republic only hit top gear for a short period of their quarter-final match against Denmark - but in that time showed why they must be regarded as favourites to win Euro 2004.
Their three-goal blitz in 16 minutes after half-time not only left Denmark's Euro 2004 dream in tatters but underlined once more why they are the best attacking team in the tournament.
Jan Koller's 49th-minute header ensured the Czechs scored the opening goal in a match for the first time at Euro 2004.
And Milan Baros' double in the space of two minutes propelled the Liverpool striker to the top of the competition's scoring chart as his dream tournament continues.
England's Wayne Rooney might have emerged as the competition's brightest star during the group stages, but as Euro 2004 matures it is the 22-year-old from across Stanley Park who is really making an impact.
 |  We are very effective at scoring goals, but we know that we can play much better |
Baros has been a peripheral figure during his two-and-a-half years at Liverpool and missed a large chunk of last season after breaking an ankle.
But he has been a revelation here in Portugal - the cheeky chip for his opener against Denmark and the clinical precision of his second mean he has five goals in four games.
Baros is thriving on giant striker Koller's knockdowns and the service provided by a brilliant midfield.
Pavel Nedved possesses the complete repertoire of passing skills, Tomas Rosicky is industrious and intelligent, while Karel Poborsky appears to have recaptured the form that helped propel the Czechs to the Euro 96 final.
"We are very effective at scoring goals," playmaker Rosicky told BBC Sport. "But we know that we can play much better.
"I have played with Milan at various levels in the national team since I was 14 and I know him very well.
 Nedved leads by example |
"We have two very good strikers in Milan and Jan Koller. When you have strikers like these it is easier for the rest of the team."
Denmark had kept two clean sheets in their previous three games and went into the match on the back of three solid performances.
And Morten Olsen's team dominated chunks of a poor opening half without creating clear chances against a mean defence.
The flamboyant Czechs are well drilled at the back.
In Chelsea-bound Petr Cech they have a brilliant young goalkeeper while defensive midfielder Tomas Galasek superbly shields the back four.
It all adds up to a complete team more than capable of emulating the Czechoslovakian side that won the European title in 1976.
Standing between them and the final are Greece and the Czechs cannot afford to underestimate a team that has knocked out France, beaten Portugal and drawn with Spain.
| We want to win this trophy |
If the Czechs progress, they will face either Portugal or Holland, both teams stacked with world-class players.
But no team has played with the cohesion and attacking flair of the Czechs.
And the current generation genuinely believe the tournament is there for the taking.
"When you are in the semi-finals you are thinking about winning - we want to win this trophy," said Rosicky.
Given that they have won every game they have played here, you can hardly blame them.
MMIX
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