Euro 2008 Group D: Kuranyi Shines In German Win Schalke 04's Kevin Kuranyi revitalised his international career with both goals in Germany's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Prague on Saturday evening.
Euro 2008 Group D: Kuranyi Shines In German Win
Left out of the World Cup squad by former Bundestrainer Juergen Klinsmann, the former Stuttgart striker took full advantage of the absences of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez to lead his country to a vital win over a disappointing Czech side.
The Schalke forward struck first on 42 minutes, powering a towering header past Petr Cech from a corner. The Chelsea goalkeeper was somewhat to blame by deciding against the stationing of a man at his right-hand post. Kuranyi's header crept past him at that side to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead.
Indeed, the Czech's were lucky not to be further behind as Lukas Podolski saw a drive tipped on to the bar by Cech moments after the breakthrough. Podolski had earlier tested the Czech goalkeeper with a stinging drive.
Germany's dominance continued after the interval with Podolski racing clean through on Cech before squaring a sloppy ball to the on-rushing Bernd Schneider who ran out of space.
Podolski's blushes were spared on 62 minutes when he contributed well in the build up that led to the second goal. The Bayern striker found Philipp Lahm in space on the right-hand side, and the former Stuttgart full-back played a perfect ball to the head of Kuranyi who scored with ease.
At 2-0 it was game over, but the Czechs found a fortuitous lifeline when Milan Baros inadvertently deflected Jan Polak's drive past Jens Lehmann on 76 minutes. However, despite some intense pressure, Germany held on for a vital win in what was perhaps their best performance since the World Cup finals.
The result gives Germany 13 points, three more than the Czechs. Ireland also have 10 points after Stephen Ireland's goal proved enough to beat Wales at Croke Park in Dublin. Slovakia move to nine points after a 3-1 win in Cyprus. The Slovaks visit Dublin on Wednesday.
Euro 2008 Group D: Kuranyi Shines In German Win
Left out of the World Cup squad by former Bundestrainer Juergen Klinsmann, the former Stuttgart striker took full advantage of the absences of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez to lead his country to a vital win over a disappointing Czech side.
The Schalke forward struck first on 42 minutes, powering a towering header past Petr Cech from a corner. The Chelsea goalkeeper was somewhat to blame by deciding against the stationing of a man at his right-hand post. Kuranyi's header crept past him at that side to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead.
Indeed, the Czech's were lucky not to be further behind as Lukas Podolski saw a drive tipped on to the bar by Cech moments after the breakthrough. Podolski had earlier tested the Czech goalkeeper with a stinging drive.
Germany's dominance continued after the interval with Podolski racing clean through on Cech before squaring a sloppy ball to the on-rushing Bernd Schneider who ran out of space.
Podolski's blushes were spared on 62 minutes when he contributed well in the build up that led to the second goal. The Bayern striker found Philipp Lahm in space on the right-hand side, and the former Stuttgart full-back played a perfect ball to the head of Kuranyi who scored with ease.
At 2-0 it was game over, but the Czechs found a fortuitous lifeline when Milan Baros inadvertently deflected Jan Polak's drive past Jens Lehmann on 76 minutes. However, despite some intense pressure, Germany held on for a vital win in what was perhaps their best performance since the World Cup finals.
The result gives Germany 13 points, three more than the Czechs. Ireland also have 10 points after Stephen Ireland's goal proved enough to beat Wales at Croke Park in Dublin. Slovakia move to nine points after a 3-1 win in Cyprus. The Slovaks visit Dublin on Wednesday.