Czech Republic, Team Profile Options

[greekchampion04]

How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying?
• With Group D settling quickly into a two-horse race between Germany and the Czech Republic, Karel Brückner's side never looked unlikely to qualify, but finished the job in some style.
• The two frontrunners met for the first time in Prague on 24 March 2007, when two goals from Kevin Kuranyi rendered Milan Baroš's 77th-minute effort redundant and sent Joachim Löw's side three points clear at the top of the section.
• The Czechs held their nerve in subsequent games, however, and spoiled Germany's qualification celebrations by overcoming their neighbours 3-0 in Munich on 17 October 2007 to seal their place in the finals with two games to spare.
• Victory was all the sweeter for having been achieved without a number of top players. Libor Sionko, Marek Matějovský and Jaroslav Plašil scored the goals that silenced the Bavarian crowd and centre-back David Rozehnal said: "Qualifying is nice but the way we did it is even better."
• They went on to win the group with a 2-0 triumph in Cyprus in their final qualifier.

How did they perform in the 2006 FIFA World Cup?
• Finished five points behind runaway group winners the Netherlands in qualifying group action for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but one point ahead of third-placed Romania. Advanced to one of the three play-off fixtures where they overcame Norway 2-0 on aggregate, winning both legs by the minimum margin.
• Won their opening five home matches in qualifying before losing 2-0 in Prague to the Netherlands in their penultimate fixture in the competition, a result that decided the fate of group honours.
• One of those victories included an 8-1 defeat of Andorra, to date the Czechs widest margin of victory in a competitive international.
• Got off to a fine start at the finals with a 3-0 victory against the United States in their opening group game.
• Defeats by Ghana and Italy, both 2-0, in their remaining games meant the Czechs, who suffered several injuries in Germany, were eliminated in the opening stage.

How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2004™?
• Eliminated at the semi-final stage of the competition by eventual winners, Greece. The only goal of the game after 105 minutes from Greek defender Traianos Dellas, a silver goal which gave the Czechs virtually no time to muster a response.
• Earlier in the competition, the Czechs accounted for Denmark (3-0) in the quarter-finals after earlier winning all of their three engagements in the group stage against Latvia (2-1), the Netherlands (3-2) and Germany (2-1).
• They topped their group in qualifying round action with seven wins and a draw from eight matches to finish three points clear of the Netherlands with Austria a further ten points in arrears in third position.
• All four home matches ended in victory by an aggregate margin of 14 goals scored with only one conceded. Away from home, the Czechs dropped their only points of the campaign in Rotterdam when they shared a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.

What is their best performance in the UEFA European Championship?
• The golden goal made its debut in senior international competition at UEFA EURO '96™ and accounted for the Czech Republic in the final of the tournament when Oliver Bierhoff scored the winning goal five minutes into extra time after the sides remained deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes. The Czechs had earlier defeated France and Portugal in the knockout phase of the competition after finishing second to Germany in the group stage at the expense of Italy and Russia.
• As part of the former state of Czechoslovakia, Czech players were involved in winning the 1976 UEFA European Championship against the Federal Republic of Germany. The final ended in a 2-2 stalemate in Belgrade before the Czechoslovak side won 5-3 on penalties with Antonín Panenka cheekily chipping in the final spot-kick for Václav Ježek's side.

Key facts
• Although Pauleta ended up as the highest scorer in the European zone of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying round competition with eleven goals, Czech Republic striker Jan Koller was second on nine with Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden) and Aleksei Eremenko Jr. (Finland) a further goal behind.

All-time record
• Up until the end of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying, the Czech Republic had played 54 matches in the UEFA European Championship, winning 39, drawing eight and losing seven. In that time, they scored 117 goals and conceded 37.
• From independence up until the end of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying the Czechs' record in the qualifying round of the UEFA European Championship reads - won 25, drawn six and lost two.
• They secured their biggest victory in UEFA European Championship qualification by beating San Marino 7-0 in Liberec on 7 October 2006.
• The Czechs retain a 100 per cent qualification record for the UEFA European Championship finals with four appearances from four attempts.

http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/te...e=16/index.html

[REY M]

Czech Republic


Or. Shirt Name - Current Club - Position

Goalkeepers:
1. P. Čech (Chelsea FC) - GK
2. J. Drobny (Hertha BSC) - GK
3. J. Laštuvka (Bochum)

Defense:
4. Z. Pospech (FC Copenhagen) - RB
5. Z. Grygera (Juventus Turin) - RCD
6. D. Rozehnal (Newcastle Utd./Lazio Rome) - CD
7. T. Ujfaluši (Fiorentina) - CD
8. J. Šimunek (Wolfsburg) - CD
9. M. Kadlec (Sparta Prague) - LB
10. R. Skačel (Southampton/Hertha BSC) - LWB
11. M. Jankulovski (AC Milan) - LWB

Midfield:
12. T. Galašek (Nuernberg) - DCM
13. D. Jarolim (Hamburg SV) - DCM
14. J. Polak (Anderlecht) - CM
15. J. Plašil (Osasuna) - CM
16. T. Rosicky (Arsenal) - ACM (cap.)
17. M. Matejovsky (Reading) - ACM
18. L. Sionko (FC Copenhagen) - RAM
19. D. Pudil (Slavia Prague) - LAM

Strike:
20. J. Koller (Nuernberg) - ST
21. M. Baroš (Ol. Lyon/Portsmouth) - ST
22. M. Fenin (Eintracht F.) - ST
23. ???

Coach:
Karel Bruckner


Best XI:

------------------Baroš--------Koller--------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
------------Rosicky-------------------Sionko------------
-------------------Polak-------Galašek-------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
Jankulovski------Ujfaluši-----Rozehnal-------Grygera
------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------Čech-----------------------------

Most capped/goals:
Jan Koller (age 35, 85 caps, 52 goals)


Top Star:
Tomaš Rosicky (68 caps, 19 goals)


Chosen Star/s to watch for:
Martin Fenin (age 21, 6 caps)
On his debute in Bundesliga, he scored a hat-trick for Eintracht Frankfurt.


Club with most representatives in:
FC Copenhagen (2), FC Nuernberg (2)

"Abroad/domestic league players" ratio:
20/2

--------------------------------------------------
Notes:

1. Red colored names are ones that currently not 100% sure they will attend Euro.

2. Hope all is well with Rosicky and he recovers from his injury to join his national team and help with his great football knowledge and experience.

3. As some portals reported there are some rumors and stories amongst the fans especially, that Nedved returns...

[Dikefale21]

Rosicky out of Euro 2008!!

[molon_lave2010]

That is a hugh blow. Losing a team captain can hurt your chances, but as long as Pavel Nedved is taking over his spot for the captain arm band, the Czechs will do fine.

[Greekaus]

^^^^^ That would been real nice had he not retired from International football a few years ago.

Czech Republic missed out on their day in Euro 2004 where thery arguably were the best team in the tournament. There key players are all a few years older and almost past their best (Galasek,Koller,Jankulovski) and their top scorer from last time round , Milan Baros has had his career completely derailed.
They also dont have the excellent Nedved and the very good Poborsky and the injured Rosicky anymore. Their best player remains Cech who is in the top 3 keepers in Europe and the key to this teams future success lies in their disciplined and tough to score on defense led by Ufjalusi.

I would not be surprised if they failed to get past the group stages.

PS : Rudi Skaccel who spent a year with PAO in 2005 will make their squad this year ?

[Dikefale21]

^I think Nedved has been asked by the Czech Republic Federation to come back for the Euros'.....he has still to give his final decision.

This post has been edited by Dikefale21: May 10 2008, 06:29 AM

[REY M]

^^^^^ That would been real nice had he not retired from International football a few years ago.

Czech Republic missed out on their day in Euro 2004 where thery arguably were the best team in the tournament. There key players are all a few years older and almost past their best (Galasek,Koller,Jankulovski) and their top scorer from last time round , Milan Baros has had his career completely derailed.
They also dont have the excellent Nedved and the very good Poborsky and the injured Rosicky anymore. Their best player remains Cech who is in the top 3 keepers in Europe and the key to this teams future success lies in their disciplined and tough to score on defense led by Ufjalusi.

I would not be surprised if they failed to get past the group stages.

PS : Rudi Skaccel who spent a year with PAO in 2005 will make their squad this year ?

Agreed on these words. Indeed they looked great in the previous Euro and recently they started some gradual deteriorations. Soon they are about to reach a transition process almost completely which is sometimes difficult in football to bounce back immediately after it (I mean the change/replacement of older generations/blood with younger/newer).

A part of the 2004 core is still there in Galašek, Koller (who both must be 35 now and their days will be soon numbered), Baroš, Grygera and few others, but the other half is "dying" gradually (or some of them "died" already) like Poborsky, Nedved and now unfit Rosicky...and if you look at their younger generations who are yet to step up (still their youngsters are generally very physical these days and also they are very good at younger categories if we speak of youth compets) and also the question is how soon and ready they can be to replace such technically trained and gifted, intelligent (majority of them pacey too) top players...so generally this is where the main problem can be!

Yes, that Rudi Skacel which looks great recent months with Hertha.

^I think Nedved has been asked by the Czech Republic Federation to come back for the Euros'.....he has still to give his final decision.

Yes, I heard that too. Would be still nice and helpful for them especially after Rosicky is out.

[Dikefale21]

No Nedved!!

Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Petr Čech (Chelsea FC), Jaromír Blažek (1. FC Nürnberg), Daniel Zítka (RSC Anderlecht).

Defenders: Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), David Rozehnal (S.S. Lazio), Tomáš Ujfaluši (ACF Fiorentina), Zdeněk Pospěch (FC København), Zdeněk Grygera (Juventus), Michal Kadlec (AC Sparta Praha), Tomáš Sivok (AC Sparta Praha), Radoslav Kováč (FC Spartak Moskva).

Midfielders: Tomáš Galásek (1. FC Nürnberg), David Jarolím (Hamburger SV), Jaroslav Plašil (CA Osasuna), Jan Polák (RSC Anderlecht), Marek Matějovský (Reading FC), Libor Sionko (FC København), Daniel Pudil (SK Slavia Praha), Stanislav Vlček (RSC Anderlecht).

Forwards: Jan Koller (1. FC Nürnberg), Milan Baroš (Porsmouth FC), Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt), Václav Svěrkoš (FC Baník Ostrava).

Link

[molon_lave2010]

No Nedved simply means, no quarterfinals for the Czechs! LOL

This post has been edited by molon_lave: May 14 2008, 11:31 PM

[REY M]

OK, let's count my misses:

1. Zitka the keeper over "???". Half-miss 0.5
2. Kovač and Sivok over Skacel and Simunek. Total misses 2
3. Vlcek over injured Rosicky. Half miss 0.5
4. Sverkos over "???". Half miss 0.5
----------------------------------------------------------
In total: 3.5 misses
Mark: very good


PS. People do you suggest me to update/edit my list immediately after someone announces his 23-man list like it is the case with Czech Rep. for example...or I wait untill an official dead-line passes, since players still can injure potentially even in friendlies and these stuffs?

[HRDGRK]

Daniel Pudil has withdrawn due to injury, with Rudi Skacel taking his place.

http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/n...ks+skacel+signs

[AEK_DCV]

Official Czech Republic Squad

1 Petr Čech
2 Zdeněk Grygera
3 Jan Polák
4 Tomáš Galásek
5 Radoslav Kováč
6 Marek Jankulovski
7 Libor Sionko
8 Martin Fenin
9 Jan Koller
10 Václav Svěrkoš
11 Stanislav Vlček
12 Zdeněk Pospěch
13 Michal Kadlec
14 David Jarolím
15 Milan Baroš
16 Jaromír Blažek
17 Marek Matějovský
18 Tomáš Sivok
19 Rudolf Skácel
20 Jaroslav Plašil
21 Tomáš Ujfaluši
22 David Rozehnal
23 Daniel Zítka
Coach: Karel Brückner

[spaz7]

Euro-Czech Republic squad penpix
May 28, 4:52 pm EDT

Buzz Up PrintMay 28 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic squad for Euro 2008 is likely to be chosen from the following players:

Petr Cech (Chelsea). Goalkeeper. Born: 20.5.82. Caps: 58 Goals: 0.

Wears a protective cap since suffering a fractured skull during a clash in an English Premier League match in October 2006. Recently added a chin protector after a facial operation following a training accident. First choice for club and country, helping Chelsea reach the Champions League final.

Jaromir Blazek (Nuremberg). Goalkeeper. Born: 29.12.72. Caps: 14 Goals: 0.

Experienced back-up to first choice Cech, proven by several Champions League seasons with Sparta Prague. Renowned for handling one-on-one situations well, he has played for local rivals Slavia and Bohemians.

Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht). Goalkeeper. Born: 20.6.75. Caps: 1 Goals: 0.

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Solid performances in the Belgian league moved him to the number three position ahead of Antonin Kinsky of Saturn Ramenskoje.

Zdenek Grygera (Juventus). Defender. Born: 14.5.80. Caps: 53 Goals: 2.

A versatile defender who can play wingback on either side as well as sweeper. Lost his place in the team after a string of injuries. Has also played for Ajax Amsterdam and Sparta Prague.

Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan). Defender. Born: 9.5.77. Caps: 63 Goals: 10.

Left-footed attacking midfielder established as first choice left wingback since his surprise selection for the Euro 2000 finals squad. Suffered a knee injury this season and considering retiring from the international game after Euro 2008. Has also played for Udinese, Napoli and Banik Ostrava.

Zdenek Pospech (FC Copenhagen). Defender. Born: 14.12.78. Caps: 7 Goals: 0.

Attack-minded right wingback who is only 1.7 metres but a surprisingly good header of the ball. Vies for selection with Jiranek. Joined Copenhagen after excelling at Sparta Prague.

Michal Kadlec (Sparta Prague). Defender. Born: 13.12.84. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.

Reliable back-up to Jankulovski and is the son of former international Miroslav, who was in the Czech side beaten in the Euro 96 final in England.

David Rozehnal (Lazio). Defender. Born: 5.7.80. Caps: 44 Goals: 0.

The tall stopper took over from Rene Bolf in the middle of the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign. Has also played for Newcastle United, Paris St Germain and Club Bruges.

Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina). Defender. Born: 24.3.78. Caps: 67 Goals: 2.

A technically gifted defender who was switched to right back after an error in the 2006 World Cup group stage defeat by Ghana. Also played for Hamburg SV and Sigma Olomouc before moving to Serie A. Appointed captain before Euro 2008.

Jan Polak (Anderlecht). Midfielder. Born: 14.3.81. Caps: 37 Goals: 6.

Defensive midfielder who made a surprise debut aged 18 under former coach Jozef Chovanec but had to wait five years until February 2006 to get another chance for the Czechs. His red card in a 2006 World Cup group match against Italy was seen by fans as the final nail in the coffin for the Czechs at those finals.

Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg). Midfielder. Born: 15.1.73. Caps: 65 Goals: 1.

Former Czech captain took over the defensive midfield position from Radek Bejbl after Euro 2000 and has become an indispensible pillar since then. He ends his international career after the tournament.

Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow). Midfielder. Born: 27.11.79. Caps: 22 Goals: 1.

Tall and tough defensive organiser, established as first-choice stopper after starting international career as a back-up for Galasek or Polak in a defensive midfield role. Also played for Sparta Prague and Sigma Olomouc.

David Jarolim (Hamburg SV). Midfielder. Born: 17.5.79. Caps: 15 Goals: 1.

The mercurial midfielder fights with Copenhagen’s Libor Sionko for the right wing role. Served a four-match ban for grabbing an opponent’s genitals in the Bundesliga this season.

Marek Matejovsky (Reading). Midfielder. Born: 20.12.81. Caps: 9 Goals: 1.

Faces the tough task of being the playmaker in the absence of the injured Tomas Rosicky. Was superb deputising for Rosicky in the crucial 3-0 qualifying win in Germany.

Tomas Sivok (Sparta Prague). Midfielder. Born: 15.9.83. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.

Defensive midfielder who boosted his chances of selection after rejoining Sparta Prague on loan from Udinese during the winter break. Has a fierce shot and is also good in the air.

Rudolf Skacel (Hertha Berlin). Midfielder. Born: 17.7.79. Caps: 3 Goals: 1

Given a very late call-up after fellow midfielder Daniel Pudil had to withdraw from the squad after breaking a bone in his hand. Had spells at Olympique Marseille and Panathinaikos, but has not played for his country since 2005.

Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna). Midfielder. Born: 5.1.82. Caps: 36 Goals: 2.

Attacking midfielder who plays on both wings for the Czechs but gave his best performance in a more central role in the crucial qualifying victory over Germany in Munich.

Libor Sionko (FC Copenhagen). Midfielder. Born: 1.2.77. Caps: 29 Goals: 4.

Excellent performances against Slovakia and Germany in the Euro 2008 qualifiers sealed his place on the right wing, where his pace and trickery cause problems for defenders.

Milan Baros (Portsmouth). Forward. Born: 28.10.81. Caps: 64 Goals: 31.

Top scorer at Euro 2004, having started his international career with a goal on his debut against Belgium aged 19. French police confiscated his black Ferrari and took his licence after he was caught speeding at 271 kph in November when at French champions Olympique Lyon. Joined Portsmouth on loan and became an FA Cup winner after a substitute appearance at Wembley.

Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt). Forward. Born: 16.4.87. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.

Excellent performances at the under-20 World Cup opened the door to the national team last year. Immediately impressed fans after scoring four goals in two Bundesliga appearances following a move from Teplice in this year’s winter break.

Jan Koller (Nuremberg). Forward. Born: 30.3.73. Caps: 86 Goals: 54.

Czech record scorer who netted six times in the qualifying campaign and will end his international career after the tournament. The lanky, 2.02 metre striker has become nearly unstoppable in the air but is also a tricky handful on the ground. The Czech Player of the Year in 1999 has also featured for Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, Anderlecht, Lokeren and Sparta Prague. Scored on his debut against Belgium at 25.

Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava). Forward. Born: 1.11.83. Caps: 1 Goals: 0.

The top Czech league scorer hopes to be part of the team, having never missed out on national selection since playing for the under-15s. Has also played for Borussia Moenchengladbach, Hertha Berlin and Austria Vienna.

Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht). Forward. Born: 26.2.76. Caps: 10 Goals: 0.

Determined striker who can also play in a midfield role. Usually restricted to appearances as a late substitute for the Czechs. Helped Slavia Prague to their first Champions League appearance before moving to Anderlecht in the winter break. (Reporting by Dusan Bucanek, editing by Miles Evans)

[Dikefale21]

Czech Republic 3-1 Scotland

[ghost]

I still remember our game against them nearly four years ago. I don't think I have ever been close to the edge of my seat. We had to absorb so much offense it was almost histerical and I had this ominous feeling that the other cleat was going to drop at any moment. Thankfully it did, for us , with Dellas Dellas scoring the silver goal in the 105th minute as the nail in the coffin.