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Czech boss Bilek insists his underdogs can upset Ronaldo and Co in Warsaw
Posted Thursday, June 21, 2012 by Dailymail

Czech boss Bilek insists his underdogs can upset Ronaldo and Co in Warsaw
Confident: Czech Republic boss Michal Bilek (left) and midfielder Tomas Rosicky (centre)

The Czechs reached the last eight as Group A winners, rebounding from an opening 4-1 defeat to Russia to beat Greece and co-hosts Poland.
'Portugal are favourites, they have strong players,' Bilek said.

'But if we repeat the performances against Greece and Poland then we have a good chance of going through.'

Bilek believes his team will have to play a defensive game and make the most of their chances.

'I think the key to our recent victories has been on defence,' he said. 'In our first game we left too many spaces and Russia punished us (4-1).

'We learned a lot from that game and I'm sure we will not make the same mistakes.'

Rosicky, meanwhile, expects his side to be put to the test by a very good Portuguese team.

'Portugal is going to be a more difficult rival than the ones we have faced so far in the competition,' he said. 'But this is our chance and we will fight until the end.'

Portugal go into the contest sky high after Sunday's 2-1 triumph over Holland which saw them progress from Group B as runners-up behind Germany. However, coach Paolo Bento was keen to play down expectations on his side.

'We are not getting carried away by the euphoria,' he said. 'We are satisfied and proud of what we have done so far.

'We had a chance to celebrate that result but that time has passed and we are just focusing on what is ahead. Tomorrow's game gives us a chance to play for a semi-final spot.

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Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia