Czech Republic
Always been
a part of the history of the Euro, winning a title as Czechoslovakia, and
debuting as its own country in 1996 as a runner up. Since then they never
missed a group stage and were semi-finalists in 2004, defeated by eventual
champions Greece.
With a new manager and a regenerated squad,
the Czech will want to prove they really are one of the historic countries of
the competition.
How
they qualified
A
remarkable qualification, the one that Vrba’s team did. They won twice against
Holland, and only had a hiccup against Latvia, playing a very offensive and
attractive football. As been usual throughout the years from the Czechs.
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Petr Cech (Arsenal), Tomas Vaclik (Basel), Tomas Koubek (Sparta Prague).
Defenders:
Theodor Gebre Selassie (Werder Bremen), Pavel Kaderabek (Hoffenheim), David
Limbersky (Viktoria Pilsen), Marek Suchy (Basel), Michal Kadlec (Sparta
Prague), Tomas Sivok (Bursaspor), Roman Hubnik (Viktoria Pilsen), Daniel Pudil
(Sheffield Wednesday).
Midfielders:
Borek Dockal (Sparta Prague), Jiri Skalak (Brighton), Vladimir Darida (Hertha
Berlin), Daniel Kolar (Viktoria Pilsen), Ladislav Krejci (Sparta Prague), Josef
Sural (Sparta Prague), David Pavelka (Kasimpasa), Jaroslav Plasil (Bordeaux),
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal).
Forwards:
Milan Skoda (Slavia Prague), Tomas Necid (Bursaspor), David Lafata (Sparta
Prague).
Petr Cech
Club : Arsenal (ENG)
Age : 33 years
Is the last face of the team that was
considered the best team in 2004, beaten by a corner and the Silver Goal, much
like a Greek tragedy. Arsenal’s keeper is more experienced and even more secure
in goal. Exactly the type of keeper that his national teammates need, a leader
that commands through another hard way to glory.
Ladislav Krejčí
Club : Sparta Prague (CZE)
Age : 23 years
Left
winger, with great ball control, ability to cross and quick to escape his
oponente, Krejci has made all his career at Sparta Prague, where he debuted in
the first team with 17 years old. Progressively has been imposing himself in
the starting XI, and in the national team, and will have a chance to start in a
big competition.
Pavel Vrba
A true
Czech hero. After years being anonymous he arrived at Viktoria Plzen and
showcased his abilities. He guided his team to first time wins in League and
Cup, repeating the league title. In Europe, Plzen was able to qualify to 3
consecutive group stages (both in Champions and Europa Leagues), a record for
any Czech club.
He arrived to the national team and again
showed that he’s a great manager, that will try to show that having a good
system can be as important as the players that interpret it.
What to expect from them?
Czech Rep was one of the great sensations in the qualifying stage for the Euro, inserted in the wild group that saw Holland end up in 4th place, with Vrba 4-2-3-1, based on the pressing ability of the midfielders that release the ball for Rosicky to give it the treatment only he knows.
It’s a different generation from the one that
brought us Cech and Little Mozart,
less fantastic but hard working and committed during the whole match. They are
missing a quality striker that should be their shortcoming to repeat the 96
campaign.
 |
| FIL's Starting XI prediction |
No comments:
Post a Comment