The Czech Republic are always dark horses at the European Championship, though they have flattered to deceive at World Cups. Runners-up in 1996 and semi-finalists in 2004, the Czechs are a team few relish taking on. They have though endured a lean spell of late; the side were poor in World Cup qualifying for 2010 and hardly set the pulse racing during the Euro 2012 qualifiers for Poland/Ukraine – they did however win comfortably against Montenegro in the playoffs to reach the tournament.
Having been drawn in a favourable group, the Czech Republic will be confident of progress to the last eight. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is their best player, but the country have not sparkled under coach Michal Bilek, with goalscoring a key issue. Michal Kadlec, a left-back, was the side’s top scorer during qualifying and the manager will hope that Milan Baros can rediscover the form of Euro 2004. Behind him, Tomas Necid is a promising striker, but unless he suddenly bursts through this summer, it is hard to see where the goals will come from.
In The Dugout – Michal Bilek
Bilek inherited an ageing team from which key men like giant striker Jan Koller retired following the failure to make it to the last World Cup. A slow start in qualifying had critics on his back, but the Czechs slowly found form.
The 47-year-old has introduced a number of players from the surprise Czech champions of 2011, Victoria Plzen, into his squad, and they almost pulled off a major shock during qualifying when they led Spain 2-0 away from home. Crucial has been his decision to play a 4-2-3-1 rather than a 4-4-2, with Jaroslav Plasil particularly threatening down the right hand side. Bilek will have done especially well though if he can emulate previous Czech teams and reach the last four.
Key Player – Tomas Rosicky
Rosicky will be the man the Czech Republic look to for inspiration and they will be heartened by his end of season form. The midfielder was arguably the key man in Arsenal’s late season march to third place. After years of problems with injury, Rosicky rediscovered his touch and was able to dictate play for the Gunners during the second half of the season, and was pivotal in the comeback against Tottenham Hotspur when Arsenal were 2-0 behind in February.
Blessed with a blistering shot, Rosicky is also a hard worker who never shirks his defensive duties. He has 20 goals for the Czech Republic and will be hoping to remind Europe what he is capable of this summer. But his injury problems have struck again at an untimely moment, and the Czech Republic’s preparations will now be threatened if his playing time at the Euros is hit.
View from the Czech Republic
Few expect the Czech Republic to mount a serious challenge to win Euro 2012, but there is at least belief the side can reach the last eight. Bilek’s men have put together an unbeaten run of late and have a favourable draw, but the main worry is where goals will come from. If one of the squad’s forwards chips in with a few in the group stage, the Czech Republic believe they will be in the last eight. If not, it could be an early exit.
Verdict
Perhaps the biggest positive for the Czech Republic is their close proximity to Wroclaw, where they will play all three of their games. They will travel there by train from Prague, and the lack of travelling could be a huge advantage in a tight group. With that, they may be that bit fresher than their rivals, but beating Russia will be a big ask, and Poland are the one team who have to travel even less than Bilek’s men. If goals do not arrive, an early exit beckons.
