INTERNATIONAL

• Half-time report Czech Republic vs. Latvia

  Aveiro, Portugal (Sports Network) - Group D of the European Championship got on it's way at Municipal Stadium in Aveiro, Portugal with a matchup between the Czech Republic and Latvia. A brilliant counter attack in the closing seconds of the half has given the underdogs Latvia the 1-0 lead.

  The Czech Republic started their campaign in a 4-1-3-2 formation, while Latvia started their first EURO campaign with a 4-diamond-2 line-up.

  As referee Veissiere blow the first whistle, the Czech side placed the Latvian defense under immediate pressure.

  The Czech side's first quality opportunity on net came during the 10 minute when Czech winger Nedved slotted a pass between the legs of a Latvian defender to the defender Jankulovski who's first time shot went over the end-line, just outside the right post.

  The Latvian side seemed content to play long balls out of their area. They were not setting up the play by combining passes out of their back field, the Latvian defense was just trying to keep the Czech side from scoring. They were not worried about scoring themselves.

  Latvia finally broke into the Czech area when winger Prohorenkovs fed forward Verpakovskis but he was not able to make contact with the ball.

  Latvia gained a free kick just outside the box in the 18th minute and hit a nice swerving ball into the box the was blocked over the touch-line for a Latvian throw-in.

  The Czech received a number of quality chances half-way through the first half but somehow failed to connect with the back of the net 25 minutes into the game.

  The the rest of the first half the Czech side controlled the ball through the midfield but were stopped when they tried to penetrate the box. The Latvian squad were able to keep their shape, while they fell into a defensive role beating off many dangerous balls the Czech side crossed in.

  The Latvian side tried to use their speed up the wings to counter attack and put pressure on the Czech defense, but failed to connect with their teammates during the final touches before they would shoot.

  Quality defending has kept Latvia in the game and a great pass up the left side from defender Stepanovs to the winger Prohorenkovs in a counter attack allowed the left winger the find striker Verpakovskis alone in front of the net. Verpakovskis redirected the ball into the back of the net to put Latvia up by one just before half.

  The Czech side beat the Latvian squad all over the field but failed to final the back of the net on a number of quality chances through the first half. The Czech side was only able to gain one shot on target through the entire half. The Latvian side however, only needed one shot on target to take the lead.

  06/15 13:02:40 ET