Euro 2008 Team Preview: Czech Republic

Petr cech Euro 2008 Czech republicFOOTBALL – Euro 2008 Team Preview – CZECH REPUBLIC
16/1 with Stan James to win Euro 2008.
5/2 with skybet to win Qualifying Group A (includes Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey).

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Past Championships

Despite being part of Czechoslovakia for their greatest European Championships performance, winning the tournament in 1976, the Czech Republic have carved their own names into the competition’s history with a runners-up spot in 1996 in England and a semi-final appearance in Portugal in 2004. Some of the big names like Karel Poborsky are now retired and their loss is sorely felt in midfield.

1960 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1964 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1968 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1972 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1976 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1980 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1984 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1988 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1992 – Formed part of Czechoslovakia

1996 – Runners-up

2000 – Round 1

2004 – Semi-finals

Qualification

Despite finishing top of Euro 2008 qualifying group D, the Czech Republic looked a pale shadow of their 1996 counterparts. Qualification was secured mainly due to the comparative weakness of the rest of their group, Germany excluded, but the Czechs still made heavy weather at times of disposing of San Marino and Cyprus and struggled to a 1-1 draw against an Ireland side in disarray in Dublin. They’ll need to pick their game up if they have any pretensions of success in Austria and Switzerland. The age old problem for the Czechs is that of consistency. At times, the boys from Prague look like world-beaters but no team lines-up against them without hope. The 2006 World Cup started with an impressive victory against the USA, but was followed by successive 2-0 defeats against Ghana and Italy.

Coach

Karel Bruckner was promoted from managing the under-21s in 2001. Losing stars such as Poborsky has hampered the side recently and even Bruckner’s long held regard for many of the players he brought through the Under-21 ranks hasn’t helped replace the guile of these attacking talents. With German Lothar Matthaus being interviewed for his job, at 68, Euro 2008 will be Bruckner’s last hurrah.

Key Players

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is arguably the greatest goalkeeper in world soccer. There are no identifiable areas of weakness in his game, and his bravery after suffering a fractured skull and rushing back to action as soon as possible show the steely determination of the giant shot stopper. The giant goalie hasn’t been quite as invincible in the 2007-08 Premier League season, as he has been in the past but if recapturing his from, then any striker is going to have problems this summer.

The giant Jan Koller’s goalscoring form for the Czech Republic has never been in doubt. An obvious handful in the air for any defence, the 6 ft 7 inch forward is also intelligent on the ball and, despite being a bit past his prime, still offers a potent goal threat. No-one would sensibly bet against a third international comeback for veteran Pavel Neved. He said, in March, “I don’t know whether I should return now. It is hard to say. I have not been there for a long time and I don’t know if I could be of any use and if I could help the team.” With his experience and presence, he probably could help the team quite a bit.

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    Related Articles:
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Turkey
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Switzerland
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Croatia
  • Euro 2008 Team Preview: Germany
  • Switzerland v Czech Republic Betting news


    • Written by Jason Tynan · Filed Under Euro 2008, Football 

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