Czechs out to banish memories of world cup failure

The Czech Republic have played some of the most entertaining football in the past six years but what would bring them even more pleasure would be if they were to crown that with the Euro 2008 title.

Having been heartbreakingly beaten by eventual champions Greece in extra-time of the 2004 semi-finals they failed to justify the dark horse tag at the 2006 World Cup as they went out in the first round.

Now with the outstanding talents of Karel Poborsky and Pavel Nedved gone into international retirement and with Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicky out injured they come into these championships with perhaps lower expectations than in previous tournaments.

That might help them but they will be looking to their veteran strike partnership of Milan Baros and lanky targetman Jan Koller to lead from the front, a duet that was unable to operate together at the 2006 World Cup because of injury.

While Baros' career appears to have gone on a downward spiral since the heady days of Euro 2004 when he seemed to score goals for fun, he has retained the confidence of the Czechs veteran coach Karel Bruckner.

"I still see a great player and a great striker in him. I do not cease to count on him," said Bruckner, who is attempting to add the 2008 crown to the one the-then Czechoslovakia landed in 1976.

Bruckner, who like Swiss counterpart Kobi Kuhn retires from his post at the end of the tournament, will still have a large pool of talent at his disposal and should be able to see them through to the last eight.

The defence has a strong look to it with the trio of Juventus' Zdenek Grygera, Marek Jankulovski of AC Milan and Fiorentina's Tomas Ujfalusi guarding the outstanding Petr Cech in goal, whilst the trio are none too shabby in going forward either.

Midfield may not have the same glamorous look about it without the likes of Nedved and Rosicky but in Nuremberg's Tomas Galasek and Hamburg's David Jarolim they do have wise heads and players capable of creating chances.

Certainly they never really showed signs of failing to qualify for the finals finishing top of a pretty tough group which included neighbours Slovakia, Germany and the Republic of Ireland.

Bruckner, whose professorial looks are complemented by the fact he likes playing chess, won't be surprised at how well the Czechs do according to one of his mantras.

"Victory never surprises me. I am only surprised when I win at Lotto because the chances are 52 million to one," he said.

No one would begrudge the Czechs landing the Euro title and giving Bruckner the perfect farewell gift, however, it is more likely that like the Lotto he and his talented squad will have to do without it.

Sapa-AFP