Kliment the hero as Czech Republic trounce Serbia

Jan Kliment grabbed a hat-trick as the Czech Republic thrashed Serbia 4-0 in Prague to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The hosts, who lost their opening group game to Denmark, made a blistering start and took an early lead when the impressive full-back Matej Hybs cut the ball back to Kliment who fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Kilment should have doubled his side’s lead soon after but his shot was saved before he set up Jiri Skalac in the same move but he was unable to keep his effort on target.

The one-way traffic continued as Vaclav Kadlec then rattled the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box before the midfielder limped off with a suspected ankle injury.

And they got their second goal with Hybs again the provider finding Skalak whose shot was parried only for Kliment to lash in the rebound from close range.

The Serbs’ only chance of note fell to Borussia Dortmund’s Milos Jojic whose effort with the outside of his boot was parried.

And the second half was a similar story with the Serb defence all at sea and Kliment completed his hat-trick when he was put through on goal and rounded the keeper to score.

Four minutes later it was more misery for the visitors when Skalak's cross found Martin Frydek who volleyed the ball into the bottom corner.

The result means a point on Tuesday against Germany will ensure Jakub Dovalil’s side progress while the Serbs can still qualify with victory over Denmark.

7’ - GOAL! Hybs with a brilliant overlapping run, he cuts the ball back to Kliment who lashes the ball home to make it 1-0.

10’ – CZECH MISSES: It really should be 2-0 to the hosts. Kliment was through on goal but his low effort was saved, the striker then played a wonderful ball with the outside of his foot to Skalac but his effort from three yards went over.

15’ – WOODWORK! Off the crossbar from Kadlec with a shot from the edge of the box! He was on the stretch but managed to make good contact and it rattled the crossbar.

21’ – GOAL! Hybs' cross finds Skalak whose effort is only parried and Kliment has the easy task of lashing the ball into the roof of the net from five yards.

39’ – SERBIA EFFORT: Jojić is through on goal and his effort with the outside of his foot is well saved by the keeper, that was Serbia's first real chance.

42’ – FINE SAVE! What a chance! Kliment slips the ball through to Frydek whose low effort is brilliantly saved.

56’ - GOAL! Hat-trick for Kliment who times his run well, rounds the keeper and slots the ball in.

59’ - GOAL! Skalak chips the ball from the byline to Frydek who volleys the ball in off his shin from seven yards out, it is 4-0.

86’ – CZECH CHANCE: Petrak's shot from 25 yards is well saved as the Czechs continue to press, they are not showing any mercy to their opponents.

Kliment scored a hat-trick in only his fourth Under-21 cap.

The Czechs avenge their defeat in 2007 to the Serbs, who reached the final of the competition that year.

It was certainly one of the most entertaining games from minute one with the Czech’s blistering counter attacks. Their quick passing and the full-backs making overlapping runs was a joy to watch. Serbia were dire but  Jakub Dovalil’s side certainly made a statement with this resounding victory. 

Jan Kliment (Czech Republic U21s): He is normally a midfielder but the decision to play him as a striker was a masterstroke. Kliment’s positioning was a headache for the ragged Serbian defence and he produced three clinical finishes to give his side their first win of the tournament.

Serbia U21s: Dmitrović 6, Pantić 4, Petrović 4, Spajić 4, Stojković 4, Čaušić 4, Djuričić 5, Brašanac 5, Jojić 6, Pešić 5, Srnić 5. Subs: Kovacevic 4, Milunovic 4.

Czech Republic U21s: Koubek 6, Kaderabek 7, Brabec 5, Kalas 6, Hybs 7, Petrak 6, Zmrhal 5, Skalak 8, Kadlec 6, Frydek 8, Kliment 9. Subs: Travnik 6, Masopust 6.