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European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage
Jun 20, 2015 at 5pm UK
 

0-4

FT(HT: 0-2)
Kliment (8', 21', 56'), Frydek (59')

Live Commentary: Serbia Under-21s 0-4 Czech Republic Under-21s - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of the Group A match between Serbia and Czech Republic at the European Under-21 Championship
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Jan Kliment scored a hat-trick inside 60 minutes to give the Czech Republic Under-21s a 4-0 win over Serbia Under-21s at the European Under-21 Championship.

The striker opened the scoring less than 10 minutes into the match before doubling the advantage before the break.

Kliment completed his hat-trick early in the second half before Martin Frydek fired in the fourth.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good afternoon! The second round of fixtures in the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship gets underway shortly, with host nation Czech Republic up against Serbia. Let's start with a look at the team news...

SERBIA STARTING XI: Dmitrovic, Pantic, Petrovic, Spajic, Stojkovic, Causic, Djuricic, Brasanac, Jojic, Pesic, Srnic

CZECH REPUBLIC STARTING XI: Koubek, Kaderabek, Brabec, Hybs, Kalas, Petrak, Zmrhal, Kliment, Frydek, Kadlec, Skalak

Unsurprisingly, Serbia have stuck with the same side that lined up at the start of their match against Germany earlier this week. Filip Djuricic will be looking to add his second goal of the competition, while Milos Jojic will also be a threat after looking sharp throughout the 1-1 draw on Wednesday.

There are changes for the hosts though, after they struggled in the second half against Denmark earlier this week. The good news for the Czech's is that Tomas Kalas and Vaclav Kadlec both come back in, having been suspended for the opening match, while Jiri Skalak is also handed a start. A rib injury keeps Baranek out, while Frydek has been struggling with a back problem, but Ladislav Krejci, who has more senior caps than any other player in this squad, is dropped.

So, defeat for the Czech Republic this evening would see the host nation become the first to be eliminated. Regardless of the result in Germany's clash with Denmark later, one of those two sides will have at least four points by the end of the night, while Serbia would also move on to four with just one match remaining with a win tonight.

With the prospect of elimination handing over his side, Czech coach Jakub Dovalil told reporters: "We would like to play in the same way as we did in the first half against Denmark. When we analysed that game, we saw that we sat back and we lost possession too easily. We weren't aggressive enough, and that led to Denmark being able to put pressure on us. I think we know what went wrong. Serbia are individually skilled in attack. The team are well organised, disciplined, and they are very good on the counterattack. It's no coïncidence that [Filip] Djuricic has so many senior caps. He will be the main threat."

Meanwhile, Serbia coach Mladen Dodic said at a pre-match press conference: "We know that we'll play against 12 men tomorrow, 11 on the pitch and one in the stands. We respect that. Everyone will support the home team and try to beat us. We'll be ready for that, and we'll give everything. They will change their side a little, I have no doubts about my lineup. But I don't expect anything to be different. Everyone has 23 players at a similar level, and I think it'll be a very interesting match. Our advantage is that we have a lot of competitive games behind us in which we have worked to be prepared for games like tomorrow's. I expect it to be just as tough as the Germany game. Each of the eight teams can be champions, because they all have a lot of quality in their ranks. We want to stay in Prague, not just until the semi-final, but also the final. We're highly motivated to do that."

Here are the players going through their warmups a little earlier. Expect the stadium to be much fuller by kickoff. The Czech side were well supported in their opening fixture, and it's likely to be no different this afternoon:


PREDICTION! The players should be heading out shortly, so there's just time for a quick prediction. Serbia did play well in their opening match, but the Czech Republic have a stronger team for this match, and have the added incentive of avoiding elimination at their own tournament. I think the host nation will scrape a 2-1 win.

The players have just headed out of the tunnel and are lined up ready for the national anthems, which as always are played ahead of kickoff. We should just be a couple of minutes away from the start of the action.

One of the Czech Republic's most successful players, Pavel Nedved, is among those in the stadium this evening:


Both sets of players go into a huddle before the action can begin. They both look really pumped up for this clash.

KICKOFF! The host nation get the match underway!

Czech Republic force a free kick just moments after kickoff, which Martin Frydek curls in towards Kadlec, but Marko Dmitrovic comes off his line to comfortably claim it.

It's certainly been a bright start by the Czech side as they push for an early goal, forcing a corner. Pavel Kaderabek showed plenty of attacking intent in the first game, and he's forward again, but a foul as the ball is played in lets Serbia off the hook. Dmitrovic hasn't come under too much pressure so far, but the Czech Republic are certainly looking sharp.

Zmrhal makes a run down the left for the host nation, but his path is blocked by Stojkovic as he looks for the cross. For all the Czech Republic's attacking intent, Serbia are defending well.

GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 0-1 Czech Republic Under-21s (Jan Kliment)

What a well-worked move to put the Czech Republic ahead. Kaderabek slides the ball in for Matej Hybs, who takes a touch on the left-hand side of the box before pulling it back for Jan Kliment, and the striker hits it first down right down the middle, picking out the roof of the net for the opening goal of the match.

CHANCE! Serbia haven't created much in the opposition's area so far, but they press for an immediate equaliser, forcing a corner. It's easily dealt with though, and Kliment spots a chance to add another, sprinting away with only the keeper to beat. Dmitrovic does well though, coming out to block his effort and keep the gap to one goal.

BOOKING! Darko Brasanac is the first player to go in the back as he catches Ondrej Petrak with a flailing arm while battling for a high ball. That rules the Serbia midfielder out of their final group fixture.

Czech Republic made the mistake in their first match of dominating the first half, but only scoring once. They're obviously desperate to make sure they don't do the same again today as Kadlec charges down the right before sprinting towards the area, and his cross is quickly turned behind for a corner.

OFF THE CROSSBAR! Vaclav Kadlec is denied by the woodwork as he looks to double the host nation's advantage. Serbia's defending is all over the place, and they leave the striker unmarked on the edge of the box. Frydek crosses in for the forward, who hits it on the half volley, trying to put it in a similar position to Kliment's opener, but it's a fraction high, and Frydek can't stretch far enough to get the rebound.

Serbia were so well organised and disciplined against Germany in their opening match, it's hard to believe that this is the same starting XI as they give away the ball inside their own half for at least the third time so far. Frydek doesn't have enough support to really test Serbia though, losing out to Dmitrovic as he struggled to control the ball.

Tomas Koubek gets a sighter in the Czech Republic goal as Petrovic is fouled around 30 yards out, but Jojic's free kick is easily claimed by the keeper.

CHANCE! The Czech Republic are quickly on the counter-attack, forcing a free kick just a couple of yards outside the box as Kadlec is dragged down by Petrovic. This is a real opportunity for the home side to double their lead, but Jiri Skalak's strike is straight into the wall.

GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 0-2 Czech Republic Under-21s (Jan Kliment)

The Czech Republic's dominance has resulted in a second goal, and it's another clinical finish from Jan Kliment. Hybs is involved again as he slides the ball in for Jiri Skalak. The winger's effort is saved, but Dmitrovic can only parry into the path of Kliment, and the striker doesn't need to be asked twice, blasting it into the roof of the net again.

Serbia are desperately trying to create anything that will give them a foothold in this contest. Petrovic makes a decent run down the right, and his cross is turned behind for a corner, but Jojic's delivery is straight into the hands of Koubek.

Brasanac is living a little dangerously as he catches Frydek in the face with an elbow while going for a high ball. It's a similar challenge that earned him a booking a little earlier, but this time the referee lets it go. As he's going to miss the next game anyway, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the midfielder going off at the break.

SUB! There's a blow for the host nation as Vaclav Kadlec has picked up a knock, and is replaced by Michal Travnik. That's a big loss for the Czech Republic, as his pace and creativity has been a huge part of their dominance.

With Kadlec's withdrawal and the two-goal cushion, some of the urgency just seems to have gone out of the Czech Republic's play in the last five minutes. Skalak tries to amend that with a quick burst through the middle, but Dmitrovic come to the edge of the box to claim it.

The Czech side force a corner as they try to get back on the attack. Skalak's initial delivery is punched clear by the keeper, but it drops for Travnik on the edge of the area. He tries to curl it in, but Dmitrovic watches it all the way to make the save.

Serbia have certainly regained a bit of composure in the last 10 minutes or so as they try to keep themselves in the match before half time. Czech Republic are still dominating possession, but Serbia are closing them down much quicker.

CHANCE! Serbia's first real chance of the match falls to Milos Jojic. The midfielder controls a long ball forward on the edge of the box, rifling a low strike towards the goal, but Koubek managed to make a diving stop.

CHANCE! Having seen Serbia come close down the other end a couple of minutes ago, the host nation are back on the attack as they try to make sure they finish the first half strongly. Skalak forces the corner, which is cleared, but Kliment quickly wins it back. The striker thinks he's through for his hat-trick, attempting to slot it into the bottom corner, but Dmitrovic keeps the ball out with his foot.

CHANCE! The Czech Republic are still looking for their third as Tomas Kalas, who has been fairly quiet so far, battles through to the six-yard box before attempting to poke it home, but it goes wide.

PENALTY APPEAL! The Czech Republic want a spot kick as the first half head into a minute of stoppage time as Kaderabek takes a tumble in the box under a challenge from Petrovic. It does look like the defender caught the Czech right-back, but the referee doesn't give it.

HALF TIME: Serbia Under-21s 0-2 Czech Republic Under-21s

What an action-packed opening 45 minutes that was! The Czech Republic head into the break with what seems a comfortable 2-0 lead, but it could have been many more, and they could have had a spot kick in the final seconds before the break. Serbia haven't had many chances, but when they did get through Tomas Koubek had to be ready in the Czech side's goal. It should be an entertaining second half.

The host nation's dominance is clear to see when looking at the stats from the first half. The Czech Republic had 56% possession, and created 11 chances to Serbia's three. Six of their efforts were on target, while another hit the crossbar. Serbia had just one effort on target, and had Darko Brasanac booked, which rules the midfielder out of their final group match against Denmark.

Jan Kliment could easily have claimed a hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes, but he certainly looked happy with the two efforts that did end up in the back of the net:


The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the start of the second half.

SUB! Perhaps unsurprisingly, Serbia are making a change, with Filip Stojkovic making way for Marko Petkovic.

RESTART! Serbia get the action back underway.

CHANCE! Serbia waste no time putting their opponents under pressure as they try to get back into the match. Jojic breaks quickly from midfield before driving the ball towards goal, but Koubek dives to keep it out.

Serbia have obviously had quite a talking to in the interval as they're playing a much more positive style of football in the opening couple of minutes of the second half. Jojic and Srnic in particular are looking to create something in the Czech Republic box.

The Czech Republic try to ease the pressure on their defenders with a quick counter-attack, with Kliment looking to get into space as he seeks to complete his hat-trick, but Petrovic puts in a well-timed challenge to halt the threat.

Serbia are continuing to look a stronger side in this second half a they force a corner, which Jojic delivers. The initial ball in is cleared, but the midfielder follows it in to head it back into the box, forcing Koubek to claim it.

Kliment is still posing a threat for the host nation as he tries to get on the end of a long ball out from the back, but he's just offside. Meanwhile the crowd it doing a Mexican wave.

GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 0-3 Czech Republic Under-21s (Jan Kliment)

Despite Serbia's best efforts since the restart, it's surely game over as Jan Kliment completes his hat-trick. Brabec picks the striker out with a through ball, and he effortlessly rounds the keeper before coolly slotting into an open goal. It's hard to see Serbia coming back from this now.

Serbia quickly win a free kick in a promising position down the other end, which Jojic curls in. It falls kindly for Slavljub Srnic, but his finish ends up flying well high of the goal.

GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 0-4 Czech Republic Under-21s (Martin Frydek)

The Czech Republic are really enjoying themselves now as Martin Frydek makes it four. Skalak makes a run down the right before pulling it back for Frydek. The midfielder lines up a spectacular volley, and actually mis-hits it, catching it with his shin, but that just catches the Serbia defenders out, leaving the ball to bobble into the bottom right.

SUB! Goran Causic, the Serbia captain, has been pretty anonymous so far, so Aleksandr Kovacevic takes his place for the final half hour. Meanwhile the host nation have a free kick right on the edge of the box.

CHANCE! After Kaderabek won the free kick, it was Frydek who lined it up, rolling it in for Skalak, but Petrovic just got to it first, putting the winger off his shot.

CHANCE! Jan Kliment thinks that he's through for his fourth as he's left unmarked yet again, drawing Dmitrovic off his line. The hat-trick man rounds the keeper, but takes a touch too many, allowing Petrovic and Spajic to close him down. Incidentally, Kliment's hat-trick is the first in the Under-21 Championship since Marcus Berg's for Sweden in their 5-1 win over Belarus in 2009.

There's action at both ends as Kovacevic hits the ground in the Czech Republic's box, but the referee isn't interested in his shouts for a penalty. That allows Skalak to make a run down the other end, but his cheeky backheel to Frydek is a bit too ambitious, allowing Serbia to get it clear.

BOOKING! Filip Djuricic is just the second player to pick up a yellow card as he brings down Kliment in midfield.

A well-worked free kick creates some promise for Serbia as Jojic plays it short to Djuricic, who in term finds Brasanac, but his cross in is overhit, going straight out for a goal kick.

Kliment has been provided with some excellent service this evening, and he tries to repay the favour as he rounds a couple of midfielders before trying to find a through-ball to Skalak, but his pass is blocked.

SUB! Jiri Skalak's day is done, with Lukas Masopust taking his place.

The home side are still trying to make the most of their openings and increase their lead, but there's very little urgency now as they know that the game is won. It will be interesting to see how Serbia respond in their next match, as they will still be able to make the last four after tonight's defeat, but they'll need a better performance.

PENALTY APPEAL! The Czech Republic are appealing for a spot kick again as Travnik appears to be wrestled to the ground by Petkovic, but the replays seem to suggest the midfielder was the one at fault.

SUB! Jan Kliment comes off to a standing ovation from the home supporters, having scored a hat-trick on just his fourth appearance for the Under-21s. Tomas Prikryl comes on for the final 10 minutes.

Marko Dmitrovic almost gifts the host nation their fifth as he realises that Travnik has space, rushing to the edge of the box to try to block, but the winger chips it over him, leaving himself with an open net, but he's rescued by Petrovic, who does just enough to scramble it clear.

BOOKING! Subsitute Lukas Masopust goes into the book for a late challenge on Milos Jojic.

SUB! That's all from Milos Jojic as he's replaced by Luka Milunovic. The midfielder has worked hard today, but hasn't been able to match his performance from the Germany clash.

CHANCE! There could still be a fifth Czech Republic goal in this as Travnik drills the ball in from the edge of the box. His effort is parried clear, but it falls kindly for Petrak around 25 yards out, and he strikes it superbly as he looks to squeeze it into the top right, but Dmitrovic reads the ball's movement well to claim it.

The Czech Republic finally appear to think they've had enough as they just pass the ball around at the back to run the clock down. For the time being at least, this win will put the host nation at the top of their group, but one of Germany or Denmark will climb above them later.

There are just two minutes of stoppage time to be played, and the crowd is one its feet to applaud the Czech side as they coast to an emphatic win.

FULL TIME: Serbia Under-21s 0-4 Czech Republic Under-21s

What a performance from the Czech Republic! An emphatic 4-0 win has got them right back into this tournament, and left Serbia's hopes handing by a thread. Jan Kliment will take the headlines with his excellent hat-trick, but it was a real team effort from the host nation. They've still got work to do to make the last four, with a match against Germany still to come, but after a performance like that they'll be optimistic.

That's all from this match, but don't go too far as we'll have live coverage from the other two Group A sides shortly, as Denmark look to make it two wins from two with a match against pre-tournament favourites Germany. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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