Petr Cech relieved by crucial win

Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech hailed his team's efforts on Saturday after they defeated Poland to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

 The Czech Republic started the day looking like they would need just a point to reach the last eight, but Greece took the lead against Russia on the stroke of half-time, meaning victory over Poland became imperative.

 Petr Jiracek scored the all-important goal on 72 minutes, and Cech, who had made an uncharacteristic blunder in the previous Group A match against Greece, was pleased his side did not have to rely on results elsewhere.

 "We started badly and let the occasion get to us a little bit," the Chelsea shot-stopper told reporters after the game.

 "The home side capitalised on our mistakes. "But with time we got better. We created chances and then scored a deserved goal. "We knew the result (of Greece v Russia).

 They told us and we could see it on a screen, but we focused on ourselves, decided not to wait for miracles and to score ourselves instead.

" The Czech Republic finished the first round on top of Group A, meaning with second-placed Greece joining them in the quarter-finals.

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