Germany grit their teeth

"We must quickly forget about that game," goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn said.

"Complaining and arguing will not help. We are fully concentrating on the game against the Czechs."

Germany have to beat the already qualified Czechs on Wednesday to make sure of advancing to the last four although a draw would be enough if the Netherlands shared the points with Latvia in the other Group D game.

"Nothing is lost," said playmaker Michael Ballack, named man of the match in both Germany's games in the tournament.

"We knew beforehand that the game against the Czechs would be a final. Now we have to win it."

The Czechs said on Sunday they would rest several players against Germany.

World Cup finalists in 2002, Germany had performed poorly in the run-up to these finals but a convincing show in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands had suggested they could once again go a long way.

UNFANCIED OPPONENTS

Against Latvia, however, they failed to breach their unfancied opponents' tight defence, looking short of ideas in midfield and clumsy in front of goal.

"I had expected more but I can't really reproach my team," said Germany coach Rudi Voeller. "They kept trying."

Dramatic improvement will be required against the Czechs, who are the last European team Germany managed to beat at a major tournament in a 2-1 win in the Euro 96 final at Wembley.

Germany failed to survive the group stage at Euro 2000.

They will be encouraged by news that Pavel Nedved and other first team Czech players will probably be rested for the game.

However, the Germans were in a similar situation before their final group game at Euro 2000 against Portugal, who had already qualified with two wins.

The Germans lost that one 3-0.