MATCH 24 REVIEW : VOLLER CONTEMPLATES RESIGNATION

Below-strength team
With the Netherlands beating Latvia 3-0 in the evening's other Group D game in Braga, only a victory would have been good enough for Germany to qualify for the quarter-finals. That seemed on the cards when Michael Ballack opened the scoring with a stunning volley in the 21st minute, but the Czech Republic, fielding a below-strength team, came back to seal victory with goals from Marek Heinz and Milan Baroš.

'Public debate'
A disappointed Völler said: "I have a contract until 2006, but I am realistic and I know that after such an elimination a public debate will inevitably follow. I have prepared for a possible resignation. I will meet the DFB president and the general secretary to analyse what happened, but all options are possible."

'Catching up'
Germany squandered a series of chances to re-take the lead in the second half before they were pegged back by Baroš's breakaway strike 13 minutes from time, and Völler said: "We had the great chance to win and to go through, but it didn't work because we were too profligate in front of goal. The team have given their best - they were excellent in qualifying and in the finals. We just had too much catching up to do in the last two years."

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