Czech Republic

Czech out the Republic

Photo of the Czech republic team taken 10 November 2001 in Brussels before the start of their 2002 World Cup play-off qualifying soccer match against Belgium. (Standing from L: Jiri Jarosik, Jiri Novotny, Zdenek Grygera, Marek Jankulovski, Pavel Srnicek, Karel Poborsky; bottom from L: Tomas Repka, Pavel Nedved, Milan Baros, Vladimir Smicer, Martin Hasek.) AFP PHOTO DENIS CHARLET

The Czech Republic remain one of the most gifted sides in Europe and boast a galaxy of stars as they head to Portugal amidst whispers that they could spring a surprise at Euro 2004 and walk away with the title.

They will have to emerge from first round Group D in the finals in Portugal where rivals Holland and Germany await them along with minnows Latvia.

Wily veteran coach Karel Brucker has fashioned a quick passing hard working outfit and has gifted players in all positions as the Czechs return to the final phases of a major competition after failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Despite a qualifying run of seven wins and one draw that relegated Holland to second place, it must be remembered that they also qualified for Euro 2000 in flawless manner before failing to pass the first round, coming unstuck against France and ironically the Dutch co-hosts.

European champions in 1976 playing as Czechoslovakia, they were also surprise finalists at Euro 96 in England when only a golden goal deprived them further glory as Germany lifted the trophy at Wembley.

Bruckner stepped into the national post early in 2002 after Jozef Chovanec failed to take the team to the World Cup in Asia and has used the wealth of talent available to return the Czechs to the upper rankings of the European game.

Nedved and co.

Pavel Nedved of Juventus is one of the most gifted playmakers in the game today while Karel Poborsky and Tomas Rosicky help form one of the strongest midfields in the tournament.

Back in defence, Petr Cech has claimed the goalkeeper's jersey after sparkling for the under-21 team that won the 2002 European title.

More recently the back four in front of the Rennes custodian conceded just five goals in eight qualifying matches.

Up front, the Czechs are not lacking in firepower where powerful Borussia Dortmund striker Jan Koller leads the line ahead of the high octane midfield. It still remains to be seen if Liverpool starlet Milan Baros can regain his form after suffering a broken leg in 2003.

Ranked as high as number two in the world in 2000, one past criticism of the Czech team is their inability to beat quality opposition, but they have recently silenced their detractors with some notable performances.

Italy and France have both been put to the sword by Bruckner's boys in friendlies while Holland could only muster a point from the two key matches in qualifying.

Factfile on Czech Republic

Population

1O.2 million

Area

78,870 km²

Capital

Prague

Currency

Czech Krona

Federation

Ceskomoravsky fotbalovy svaz (Czech Republic football federation), founded in 1901

Affiliated to FIFA

1907

Affiliated to UEFA

1993

Registered players

565,650 approx.

Colours

Red shirts, white shorts, blue socks

Top clubs

Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague, Teplice, Olomouc

World Cup appearances

8 under "Czechoslovakia" (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1982, 1990)

World Cup honours

Finalist (1934, 1962), quarter-finalist (1938, 1990)

European Championship appearances

5 (1960, 1976, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004)

European Championship honours

Winner (1976), finalist (1996), 3rd (1960, 1980)

How they qualified

Finished top of Group 3 with 22 pts - (7 wins, 1 draw, 0 defeats, 23 goals for, 5 against) ahead of Holland (19pts), Austria (9pts), Moldova (6pts) and Belarus (3pts)

Key players

Jan Koller, Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky, Tomas Rosicky

Coach

Karel Bruckner