'We learned from our mistakes' - Bilek hails Czech Republic progress

Jun 16, 2012 11:50:00 PM

The coach praised his players' performances in their 1-0 victory over Poland to qualify from Group A, adding that the loss to Russia in their first game spurred them on to success

Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek has lauded his team's efforts in securing qualification for the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

The Narodak beat Poland 1-0 in Wroclaw courtesy of a Petr Jiracek goal to send the co-hosts packing and ensure their own progression as Group A winners with second-placed Greece.

Bilek observed after the match that the 4-1 loss to Russia in his side's opening game was a turning point, with the squad learning from their mistakes in that game.

"We learned from our mistakes [against Russia] and were responsible in the following games, showing our qualities," the coach told reporters.

"We are very satisfied that we have beaten one of the hosts - especially after the two good games that they played [previously]. We improved a lot in the second half, we showed motivation and spirit.

"To be honest, we improved at the end of the first half, dominating possession, then, after Greece scored, I told my team to remain focused. We were patient and it paid off."

The 47-year-old went on to praise Tomas Hubschman, whose introduction to the starting XI after the thrashing by Russia coincided with Czech Republic winning all of their remaining group games.

"Hubschman improved us, but the whole team improved as well," he argued. "We had five midfielders and when all of them started to play more responsibly, we were a better side.

"Of course we were missing [Tomas] Rosicky, but we managed to win without him. Damian Kolar played a great game too.

"Now I'm only thinking about what will happen in the quarter-finals, I said before that this was our aim and that I wanted to play Germany, but now I may have to take it back!"

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Siena 1-2 AC Milan
Goal was on hand to judge all the players as Allegri's men finished third in Serie A and secured a Champions League berth next season
Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
Goal rates the players on show as the newly-crowned Liga champions cruised past the challenge of Miroslav Djukic's men to keep up hopes of reaching 100 points
Arsenal hold their nerve in top-four battle
Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical performance to secure a top-four Premier League finish but now they must kick on if they wish to challenge for honours next year
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point