00:00Anfield has seen countless memorable European matches over the years, involving England's most successful club, Liverpool.
00:09And tonight we're hoping to add another match to the list, as the Czech Republic aim to spring into the quarterfinals of Euro 96.
00:18And in keeping with the strong FIFA fair play initiative at Euro 96, both sets of players shake hands with each other before the start of every match in order to set the tone for the further proceedings.
00:36And let's look at the two lineups. The Czech Republic, first of all, coach Jirin has a good mix of experience and potential in his squad with Jiri Nemec in midfield and Pavel Cooper up front, providing a solid platform to utilise the younger legs of midfielders Patrick Berger and Radek Babel, who've both been impressive in the opening two games.
00:56One old head that will be missed is a suspended Miro Kadlats. His place in defence will go to another veteran in Lubos Kubik, who surprisingly is also named as captain.
01:08For Russia, Yuri Kovtun is suspended after his sending off against Germany, and his place in defence is taken by 34-year-old Sergei Gorlakovic.
01:27Both Andrei Konchelskis and Alex Mostovoy have surprisingly been dropped by coach Oleg Womensev, who prefers the training form of Dmitry Koklov and Igor Simutenkov.
01:38In goal, Chertisov gets his place back after missing the second game.
01:43Chelsea supporters in the crowd will be disappointed that Dmitry Karin is back on the bench.
01:53Conditions in Liverpool have been fairly warm this afternoon, though the Anfield ground is starting to cloud over just as the match is about to begin.
02:04But they do require a five-goal swing against the Italians for that to happen.
02:13For example, they must beat the Czechs by three and have Italy lose by two in their match against Germany.
02:19Most observers agree that there should be more support for the Czech Republic to advance here.
02:28They need to win by any margin greater than the Italians win over Germany, providing they do that, of course.
02:36We're just over five minutes into the game.
02:43Kubik, oh great save.
02:50And Chertisov called into action first in the battle between the two keepers, but Kubik just caressed it into the top left-hand corner.
03:01Chertisov was on his toes.
03:05Oh, there is the opening goal.
03:07It had to be.
03:09It was such a simple header for Jan Sukuparek.
03:13And the inquest goes on in the Russian defence.
03:26But it was an easy goal, a straightforward goal, and the marking was nowhere to be seen.
03:32And Sukuparek has given the Czech Republic the ideal start in their quest for a spot in the quarter-finals.
03:38Pulled back.
03:47At the Czech side, as they were known then as Czechoslovakia, of course, went on to win on penalties.
03:57At this stage to move into the quarter-finals.
03:59And what a shot that was!
04:03From Nicky Foro.
04:04That slack play by Gorlakovic, who didn't seem to look up before he made that pass.
04:13Latal, Berger, good shot!
04:16With a short backswing.
04:19And quick to get on with the play as well, as that free kick is quickly taken by...
04:23The number four, Pavel Nedved.
04:26Kukur with the header!
04:292-0!
04:30Well, that is the advantage of taking a quick free kick.
04:42The Russians were fast asleep in defence as the long ball came.
04:48Kukur got behind this man.
04:51It was a header off the top of the head rather than a powerful header.
04:55But the long ball came from Yidi Nemec.
05:01And Kukur with the long header.
05:03And that is 2-0.
05:063-0!
05:063-0!
05:073-0!
05:073-0!
05:073-0!
05:083-0!
05:083-0!
05:083-0!
05:14That was well judged by Kukur.
05:17Still Kukur in possession.
05:18He did very well there to get the better of two Russian defenders.
05:21And a nice ball back as well to Pavel Nedved.
05:27Who couldn't keep the shot down in the end.
05:28To them both and sorted out.
05:30That's just out of shot at the moment.
05:38Simblar makes his way back to the post.
05:40And look at this defending.
05:42Crossbar!
05:42Well, it was Hornac this time who was unmarked in the penalty area from a set piece.
05:56Everybody missed it.
05:57It made its way across to the back post.
05:59There's Hornac.
06:00And he crashed a shot into the crossbar.
06:02Churches of well beaten about at half time, which is around five minutes away.
06:08Every man behind the ball for the Czech Republic for this free kick.
06:18Driven.
06:19Medved power.
06:25Nedved lurking there behind him.
06:29And Natal back to Kubik.
06:31Somewhat of a legend within the game in the Czech Republic.
06:40Lubos Kubik.
06:45He's been in and out of the international scene for a number of years.
06:48But he's always been a favourite with the supporters because of his style of play.
06:54And here's the new favourite, Poborski.
06:56And that's a great cross.
06:57Crossbar!
06:58Again, Churches of looking decidedly shaky when the ball comes in from wide positions.
07:08And Poborski there, well, it was a cross and it was helped on by a defender.
07:16And 22 is one of the many promising young Czech players who are making their way
07:21and making their name on the international scene.
07:25And no better place to do it than in England in June in 1996.
07:29Berger!
07:30Hits the post!
07:31Well, when you're trying to establish a reputation,
07:41it's things like that that do you no harm whatsoever.
07:44The power was awesome.
07:46And credit again to Churches of who got a touch onto that.
07:51Fortunately, it's late.
07:52It's half-time at Anfield.
08:01And a very impressive first-half performance by the Czech Republic.
08:06And this man got them off to a flyer.
08:07After six minutes, Jan Sukoparek opened the scoring
08:11after some poor marking in the Russian defence.
08:14Considering the way they dominated the first half,
08:21you would expect them to continue where they left off in a second,
08:26though perhaps the changes that the Russians have made
08:28will add some impetus to the side.
08:30Certainly the inclusion of Mostovoy will surely make a difference.
08:35He is a very classy player indeed.
08:38Plenty of players forward for Russia.
08:51Everyone back for the Czech Republic, as you can see there,
08:53as that ball comes out of defence.
08:55There's no red shirts coming to meet the clearance from halfway
08:58because they were all in the penalty area.
09:01And here's Mostovoy!
09:02And a stunning start for the substitute, Alex Mostovoy.
09:08And he's shown his class already with a well-placed header.
09:22He snuck away from his marker Berger.
09:26It was a simple goal for a man of his class.
09:30And that is the sort of start to the second half
09:32that the Russians desperately needed.
09:35It was all so simple in the end.
09:38And Kuba, who's had nothing to do all match,
09:44now finally has to pick one out the back of the net.
09:46And here's Mostovoy again.
10:12This is stunning.
10:15Well, he seemed to just panic slightly as enthusiasm about this Russian team.
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