The Czech Republic has made quite a comeback after having been booted out
of Euro 2000 in the group stage itself, and missing out on World Cup 2002 as well.
They are now burdened with heavy expectations, having emerged unbeaten from the qualifying rounds.
It is also one of the four seeded teams in the tournament. In spite of injuries and bad form
that haunts the team, it is a well-balanced one. Jan Koller and Milan Baros will lead the attack,
and along with familiar names Karel Poborsky, Liverpool's Vladimir Smicer and captain Pavel Nedved,
they stand strong.
The Czech team's strength is propped up by its resilient back line,
which conceded only five goals in the qualifiers. The four-man defence led by the reliable David
Rozehnal forms an impenetrable barrier to opponents. And if they are bypassed, it is only to
be met by the formidable Petr Cech.
Since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Karel Brückner has overseen
the gradual evolution of the team, filling the fawning gaps left when Karel Poborský
and Pavel Nedved retired. Nevertheless, the team has managed to retain its experienced core.
At the UEFA Euro 2008, Germany took the center stage in group D with a record win of 13-0,
but it was Czech Republic that won the section.
With the likes of Radoslav Kovác, Marek Jankulovski,
Tomás Ujfalusi, Zdenek Grygera and Zdenek Pospech, the team puts up an impressive
defence. Adding to the team's strength is 23-year-old Michal Kadlec, whose father Miroslav
captained the Czech team in the final of EURO '96.
Czech Republic Euro Squad
This is the official Euro 2008 Squad of the Czech Republic:
(the deadline for nominating the Euro squad was May 28)
Goalkeepers
Petr Cech
Jaromir Blazek
Daniel Zitka
Defenders
Zdenek Grygera
Marek Jankulovski
David Rozehnal
Tomas Ujfalusi
Radoslav Kovac
Michal Kadlec
Zdenek Pospech
Tomas Sivok
Midfielders
Tomas Galasek
Jaroslav Plasil
Daniel Pudil
David Jarolim
Marek Matejovsky
Jan Polak
Libor Sionko
Stanislav Vlcek
Strikers
Milan Baros
Jan Koller
Martin Fenin
Vaclav Sverkos
Not in the squad Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky (injured) and veteran Pavel Nedved.
User opinion and Euro 2008 betting prediction on Czech Republic:
I'll vouch for the Czech's to win this year.
For me, it's between them and Croatia and I think the Czech's have great experience throughout the team and they did really well in qualifying.
They have the best goalkeeper in the world, are strong in defence and have numerous attack minded players in midfield. A good balance of experience and youth will make them very difficult to beat.
Put my name on the Czech's to win!!
|
