The Czechs ended the half without skipper Pavel Nedved who was replaced in midfield after 40 minutes by Vladimir Smicer following a knock on the right knee.

The Czechs, more confident in the opening period, almost took the lead in the third minute when a powerful volley by midfielder Tomas Rosicky rattled the bar. Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis blocked another effort three minutes later, this time by defender Marek Jankulovski.

But Greece succeeded in keeping dangerous Czech strikers Milan Baros and Jan Koller at bay, playing man-to-man with Yourkas Seitaridis covering Baros and central defenders Traianos Dellas and Michalis Kapsis alternating cover on the tall Czech.

The Greeks came close to a goal when striker Zisis Vryzas failed to connect from four metres with a Takis Fyssas cross in the 29th minute.

TEAMS
Greece (4-3-3): 1-Antonis Nikopolidis; 2-Yourkas Seitaridis, 19-Michalis Kapsis, 5-Traianos Dellas, 14-Takis Fyssas; 6-Angelos Basinas, 21-Costas Katsouranis, 7-Theodoros Zagorakis; 15-Zisis Vryzas, 9-Angelos Haristeas, 20-Giorgos Karagounis.

Czech Republic (4-4-2): 1-Petr Cech; 2-Zdenek Grygera, 21-Tomas Ujfalusi, 5-Rene Bolf, 6-Marek Jankulovski; 8-Karel Poborsky, 4-Tomas Galasek, 10-Tomas Rosicky, 11-Pavel Nedved; 15-Milan Baros, 9-Jan Koller.

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).

Linesmen: Marco Ivaldi (Italy), Narciso Pisacreta (Italy)