Vácha sets sights on last-four prize

After serving up a win in their opening Group B match, Lukáš Vácha said the Czech Republic now have "two match points" to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Vácha's tireless industry and impish creativity played a major role in helping the Czechs beat Ukraine 2-1 in their opening game on Sunday. With England and Spain drawing their group-stage curtain-raiser, Jakub Dovalil's men can clinch a place in the semi-finals with victory in either of their two remaining group games.

"We've got ourselves into a good position, exactly where we wanted to be before our game with Spain," said the FC Slovan Liberec midfielder, whose team face the Spanish in Viborg on Wednesday. "We have two match points to make the semi-finals, and it's in our hands. It's up to us to make the next big step towards our dream. They'll definitely be two tough matches, but what isn't hard at the European championships?"

The Czechs had first-hand experience of the difficulty of the tournament during a sluggish opening 45 minutes against Ukraine. Dovalil's half-time team talk and tactical reshuffle, which saw Jan Morávek come off the bench, had a virtually instant impact as Bořek Dočkal's two goals gave his team the initiative. The Czech captain said his Carlsberg Sport Man of the Match-winning display was the fruit of having his mind solely on the task in hand.

"It was as if I was in some sort of trance during the game," said the 22-year-old. "I haven't played many matches with such a level of concentration as I had on Sunday. It was total concentration, and I was in the best possible mood. If a bomb had exploded in the stadium, I wouldn't have heard it."

Equal levels of focus will be required against Spain, who are unbeaten in five matches with the Czech Republic at Under-21 level. "Spain are still slight favourites for me, but we have better teamwork. We'll need that if we want to keep a rein on them as – individually – they are on a higher plain than us," said Dočkal. "I would say that we are more determined to achieve success here than them. The Spanish players play at great clubs, their future is mapped out and safe. We will fight more than them."