Vladimir Smicer ensured that the Czech Republic did not go home empty handed when he struck twice in the second half to earn them a consolation victory here last night.

As dead rubbers go, this was one where rigor mortis had set in, both sides having already packed their bags following defeats in their opening two games.

But the Danish fans, at least, refused to leave without a proper farewell party, swaying like drunks on the terraces and keeping up such a terrible din that you would have thought their team was about to be crowned European champions.

They even had the good manners to thank departing manager Bo Johansson, hanging a banner over the side of the stands which read: "Tak for Alt, Bosse." There was, in any case, a bit more to this game than met the Euro 2000 eye, since these teams are drawn in the same World Cup qualifying group.

Unfortunately the players did not catch the mood, merely going through the motions in the first half. The game livened up in the second period, particularly when Karel Poborsky and Jesper Gronkjaer got involved in a little sparring match which was broken up by Peter Schmeichel.

Poborsky then provided a delightful exhibition of what he can do when roused, sliding almost to his knees to control a diagonal ball from Jan Koller before standing up, steadying himself and picking out Smicer on the far post for the easiest of goals.

That was in the 64th minute and, three minutes later, Smicer ran on to Koller's flicked header to score again, leaving Schmeichel with one of those quizzical expressions so familiar to Manchester United fans. It left Denmark as the only team at Euro 2000 not to gain a point and wondering how they can claim a first ever victory over the Czechs in World Cup qualifying.