The Czech Republic and Montenegro didn't put on a fantastic show in their Euro 2012 qualifying playoff match, but the home side will be happy with their result. They prevailed by a final score of 2-0 in Prague, setting themselves up nicely to advance to the finals in Montenegro on Tuesday. The visitors had to feel like they were in okay position going into stoppage time, leaving Prague with a one-goal loss on the road, but Tomas Sivok's stoppage time goal will seriously hinder their chances of qualifying for Euro 2012.
While the game did not have a lot of chances, the Czech Republic probably should have had more than one goal. The best opportunity of the match was actually one that they failed to convert on, as Petr Jiracek missed an absolute sitter in the 33rd minute. That was the only real chance of the first half, as Montenegro held firm to keep it scoreless.
Things opened up a little bit in the second half and the Czechs were much more threatening. Still, it took quite a bit of time and a wonder strike for them to take a lead. Vaclav Pilar was the man who provided it, hitting a 25-yard stunner to the far post with his right foot in the 63rd minute.
The game appeared to be ending 1-0, but Tomas Sivok headed in a second goal in stoppage time. Tomas Rosicky was the clear man of the match despite Pilar's great game-winner, as he assisted on Sivok's goal and helped to set up that goal and Jiracek's chance, along with numerous other half-chances in a fantastic performance.
Find all of our previous coverage of this match and all of the Euro 2012 Qualifying playoffs action in our Euro 2012 Qualifying playoffs, first legs StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, check out SB Nation Soccer.
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