The Czech Republic ground out a 1-0 victory over Poland this evening in Wroclaw to ensure a first place finish in Group A, and send Euro 2012's co-hosts packing.
Rainy conditions ensured a scrappy first half, and the Poles were ready to go straight for the jugular.
Franciszek Smuda's men had the best of the early possession, particularly in the final third, but the best chance of the opening stages fell to the Czech Republic's Vaclav Pilar.
The winger, who already has two Euro goals to his name, appeared in the box unmarked, only to completely miskick.
Poland continued to dominate the early stages, with Jakub Blaszczykowski looking like a live wire, though he and his teammates lacked the finishing touch.
The Czechs began to steady the ship towards the end of the first half. Jaroslav Plasil's deflected 25-yarder was their first shot on target, but there would be many more to come.
It was goalless at the break, but the Czechs began working to rectify that as soon as the second half commenced. Milan Baros's finishing may have left something to be desired, but he was a constant threat to the Polish defence.
The Czech's almost broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when the ball ricochetted off Tomas Sivok, forcing a reaction save from Polish keeper Przemyslaw Tyton.
Michal Bilek's side edged their noses in front on 71 minutes. Baros linked up with Petr Jiracek, who steered the ball past Tyton for a well-deserved 1-0.
The Czech's continued to dominate the game, as the tournament's co-hosts looked like they ran out of both steam and ideas, but there was drama late on.
With what was virtually the final kick of the match Blaszczykowski almost sent one flying into the top corner, only for Michal Kadlec to head off the line and keep the Czechs in the tournament.
The result completely turned Group A on its head. The Czech Republic go through as group winners, with Greece in tow following their surprise 1-0 win over Russia in tonight's other game. Poland crash out propping up the rest.
Mark Langshaw
