Award no reward for Baroš

Milan Baroš said the prospect of finishing as the leading goalscorer at UEFA EURO 2004™ was scant consolation for missing out on the final. "Being top scorer cannot compensate me for this," said the Czech Republic striker after the 1-0 silver-goal defeat by Greece in the second semi-final.

Sunday showpiece
Baroš appears to be in an unassailable position at the top of the scorers' charts, his five goals leaving him three clear of the Portugal trio Maniche, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rui Costa, and Angelos Charisteas of Greece - who have scored just six times in booking their place in Sunday's showpiece at the Estádio da Luz.

'Not good enough'
"We're sad and we're disappointed because we played some great football but we have to go home now," said Baroš, who is a goal clear of England's Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooij of the Netherlands. "I didn't want to be watching the final on television but that's football. For me, it is not good enough.

Not bitter
The Czechs lost 1-0 in Porto, Traianos Dellas's header the first goal Karel Brückner's side have conceded from a corner in 30 games stretching back three years. "I'm disappointed but this is not a bitter ending for me or the team," said the coach. "I've been in the dressing room and told the team I'm proud of every one of them and our captain Pavel Nedved has told them this team is the best international side he's ever played in."

'Good football'
Zdenek Grygera felt the first-half loss to injury of Nedved, the Czech Republic captain and midfield inspiration, was a serious blow. "He's a very big influence for us in every way," said the right-back. "He's our captain and our leader and we missed him. We think we showed everyone in Europe that we can play some good football and maybe we played the best in the tournament."