The Czech Republic qualified for its fifth straight European Championship by beating Montenegro 1-0 in the second leg of their playoff yesterday.

The Czechs, who maintained a record of reaching every Euro since Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, won 3-0 on aggregate after beating Montenegro 2-0 in the first leg in Prague on Friday.

Against the run of play, Petr Jiracek scored the Czechs' winner with a low shot from some 10 meters in the 81st minute after surging past two Montenegrin defenders.

"We were desperately unlucky," said Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic. "After playing badly in the first half, we had numerous chances in the second. But, I'm proud of my players."

After playing a lackluster first half, the Montenegrins – who were trying to reach their first championship since gaining independence in 2006 – went all out on the attack in the second and created several good opportunities.

Their best chance came in the 51st minute when Dejan Damjanovic's angled shot hit the bar after a touch by Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech. Minutes later, Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic wasted another good opportunity by heading over the bar from close range.

"We knew it's going to be difficult," Cech said. "In the second half, they had some chances. When we scored, everything was over."

Cech again saved the Czechs in the 71st when Vucinic fired twice from some five meters, but the Chelsea goalkeeper made two consecutive reflex saves.

The Czechs largely controlled the midfield in the first half and were more dangerous in the attack as the Montenegrins struggled with composure and the possession of the ball.

Montenegrin forwards Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic tried to unlock the Czech defense in the first 45 minutes with individual actions, but without much success.

The only real chance for the Montenegrins in the first half came in the 40th when Damjanovic sent a low shot just past the left-hand post from about 15 meters.