Germany v Czech Republic - PREVIEW
Euro 2000 nightmare spurs Germans
Four years ago Germany exited Euro 2000 at the first group hurdle and the World Cup finalists face a similar fate in the Portugal finals should they fail to defeat the Czech Republic on Wednesday in a must-win match.
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| Germany's goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn shakes hands with Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko, 19 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, after their Euro 2004 football match of the European Nations championships in Portugal. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D. AFP PHOTO Francois Xavier MARIT |
A disappointing 0-0 draw with Latvia on Saturday has heaped the pressure on Rudi Voller's team who have collected just two points, scoring one goal and need to defeat the Czechs to reach the last eight.
Having already qualified the Czechs will rest key players such as the yellow-carded Tomas Galasek, Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros, fielding a second-string side.
How motivated this reserve outfit will be is questionable but Germany are not taking anything for granted.
"We just have to look at Euro 2000 and the match against Portugal if we need a warning," explained Voller.
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| Czech Republic's midfielder Pavel Nedved (C) and temmates jubilate after winning 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, their Euro 2004 group D football match against Netherlands, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Czech Republic won 3-2. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
On that occasion, the Czechs, like Portugal this year, had already qualified and opted to rest influential players, but still routed Germany 3-0 to send them packing.
Czech coach Karel Bruckner, who is two decades older than his opposite number, insists the eleven players he sends out will be a match for Germany's full-strength side.
"We have enough good players in our squad to play in this match," said Bruckner.
Germany need to win the tie to be certain of a place in the last eight although a draw will suffice should the match between the Netherlands and Latvia fail to produce a winner.
"It is in our hands and that is a huge advantage," explained goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn. "But it would be suicide to think playing a weakened team is something in our favour".
Teams
Germany: Oliver Kahn (capt), Arne Friedrich, Jens Nowotny, Christian Worns, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dietmar Hamann, Kevin Kuranyi, Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider, Philipp Lahm, Torsten Frings
Coach: Rudi Voller
Czech Republic: Jaromir Blazek, Pavel Mares, Tomas Galasek (capt), Rene Bolf, Vratislav Lokvenc, Martin Jiranek, Stepan Vachousek, Marek Heinz, Roman Tyce, Jarolsav Plasil, David Rozehnal
Coach: Karel Bruckner
Referee: Terje Hauge (NOR)