Bierhoff, who scored both goals in Germany's 2-1 win over the same opponents in the Euro 96 final at Wembley, recaptured his scoring habit with perfect timing, offering the Germans a timely morale-booster after a series of uninspired showings.

The AC Milan forward, who came on as a 57th minute substitute, ended 616 frustrating minutes without a goal for his country when he put the home side 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute.

The 30-year-old struck again from close range in the dying moments but was careful to name an improved collective performance as the key to a much-needed win.

'We played much better than we had done lately,' said Bierhoff, who was rated the weakest of the five strikers in Germany's Euro 2000 squad by German fans in a website poll released on Thursday. 'The ball circulated well and everybody gave his best.'

Inspired by the creative skills of Mehmet Scholl and Thomas Haessler in midfield, the Germans put up a convincing display and were dangerous after only eight minutes with a spectacular overhead kick from Carsten Jancker which flew over the bar.

The three-times world champions came close again in the 22nd minute with a fierce shot from the edge of the box by Brazilian-born striker Paulo Rink which Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pavel Srnicek punched away

Jancker, standing around the penalty spot, then collected a fine pass from defender Jens Nowotny with his back to the goal in the 38th minute. The towering Bayern Munich striker swiftly turned, surprising his Czech bodyguard Karel Rada, and shot through his legs and beyond Srnicek.

The Czechs, who booked a place at Euro 2000 by winning all 10 qualifying matches, threatened twice before the break, with a free-kick from Pavel Nedved in the second minute and a low drive by giant striker Jan Koller in the 23rd minute. Neither managed to surprise a vigilant Oliver Kahn.

The visitors levelled in the 54th minute from a counter-attack which ended with substitute Pavel Kuka beating Kahn from some 17 metres.

Bierhoff put Germany back in front eight minutes later after striker Marco Bode was brought down in the box by Czech midfielder Jiri Nemec.

Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger restored hope for the Czech team with 10 minutes remaining in an entertaining game with a deflected free kick.

Bierhoff's winner came as a relief for Germany head coach Erich Ribbeck, who has been under pressure to quit after a string of dismal outings.

'We're moving towards the right direction,' said Ribbeck, who was missing two important players in Lothar Matthaeus and midfield dynamo Jens Jeremies, both injured.

'We've still got some work to do in some areas but I'm very pleased,' he added. 'The players gave their all and in the end it was a deserved victory.'

The Germans will now host modest Liechtenstein on Wednesday in Freiburg before taking on Romania in their first Euro 2000 match on June 12 in Liege.

The Czechs, who bowed out after a brave fight, will face the Netherlands in their opening game on June 11 in Amsterdam.

'We must work even harder than we did today,' said Kuka. 'But I'm confident. We have a strong team.'

Germany: 1-Oliver Kahn; 6-Jens Nowotny (3-Marko Rehmer 78), 21-Carsten Ramelow, 4-Thomas Linke, 2-Markus Babbel (18-Sebastian Deisler 46), 14-Dietmar Hamann, 17-Christian Ziege, 8-Thomas Haessler (15-Dariusz Wosz 57), 7-Mehmet Scholl (5-Marco Bode 46), 19-Carsten Jancker (20-Oliver Bierhoff 57), 11-Paulo Rink.

Czech Republic: 1-Pavel Srnicek; 2-Thomas Repka, 5-Milan Fukal, 19-Karel Rada, 21-Petr Gabriel, 8-Karel Poborsky (3-Radoslav Latal 60), 4-Pavel Nedved, 7-Jiri Nemec (20-Patrik Berger 79), 13-Radek Bejbl, 17-Vladimir Smicer (9-Pavel Kuka 50), 10-Jan Koller (12-Vratislav Lokvenc 74)