Team: CZECH REPUBLIC

[Trim]

Czech Republic coach Karel Brückner has confirmed that Pavel Nedved is not a member of his provisional 23-man squad for Euro 2008...

The boss revealed today that he had held a meeting with the 35-year-old Juventus ace regarding the latter's international retirement, but that the head-to-head did not prove fruitful.

"I spoke to him yesterday but nothing's changed," he said.

"He won't be in the team. By not saying otherwise he confirmed his decision."

This is a particularly tough blow for the Czechs given that captain Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal will definitely miss the tournament due to injury, leaving a significant gap in the midfield.

Brückner has sought to reward good domestic form by including the likes of Slavia midfielder Daniel Pudil and newcomer Vaclav Sverkos, who leads the Gambrinus Liga scoring charts with his side, Banik Ostrava.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Nuremberg), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht)

Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Juventus), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Michal Kadlec, Tomas Sivok (both Sparta Prague), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow), Zdenek Pospech (FC Copenhagen), David Rozehnal (Lazio), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg), David Jarolim (Hamburg), Marek Matejovsky (Reading), Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna), Jan Polak (Anderlecht), Daniel Pudil (Slavia Prague), Libor Sionko (FC Copenhagen), Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht)

Strikers: Milan Baros (Portsmouth), Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jan Koller (Nuremberg), Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava).

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Nedved Out Of Czech Euro 2008 Squad

[hanuma]

Even without Nedved this side has huge experience.
Will get scrape past Turkey through to the knockout rounds where I think they'll be cannon fodder.

[Arsenal007]

I hope Rosicky doesnt play, I dont need him getting injured further, or re injuring himself.

[The Rule]

What will be the Czech midfield for the tournament?

[hanuma]

I think something like this:

Cech
Grygera Ujfalusi Rozenhal Jankulovski
Jarolim Galasek Polak Matejovsky
Baros Koller

Galasek holding, Polak box to box, not much width in the midfield but some good passers that can pick up the scraps from Koller, and obviously the fullbacks can get forward well.

[Trim]

Czech Republic
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

euro2008.uefa.com - Final squads announced for EURO

[Trim]

The Czechs have won their general test ahead of their first Euro match.

They have well beaten a very good and strong side that is Scotland.

Czech Republic 3 - 1 Scotland

59' [1 - 0] L. Sionko
84' [2 - 0] M. Kadlec
85' [2 - 1] D. Clarkson
90' [3 - 1] L. Sionko

[Oliver_Kahn]

Only watched the first-half, the Czechs were pretty poor. Koller missed chance after chance but they seem very dangerous in set-pieces, very strong players.

[Trim]

Jankulovski Fit For Opener

Czech Republic defender Marek Jankulovski has announced he will be fit to play in Euro 2008’s opening game on Saturday.

The tournament kicks off in Basel with the Czech Republic taking on co-hosts Switzerland, with Jankulovski expected to return to the Czech side after injury.

“I think the knee’s condition is good,” said the left-sided player, before adding, “I believe my knee will be 100 per cent fit on Saturday.”

The Milan man injured his knee in a Serie A match against Empoli back in October and his recovery has taken far longer than first envisaged.

However the 31 year old left back has come through two warm up matches against Lithuania and Scotland unscathed and after several weeks preparing for Euro 2008 has revealed he now has no problems.

He did confess that the injury was still at the back of his mind, something that he had realised after seeing Fabio Cannavaro injured and ruled out of the tournament this week. He said: “When Cannavaro was injured, one has to think about it.”

Jankulovski, who has won the Champions League with AC Milan, also spoke of his desire to win a trophy with his national side.

“It’s an ultimate goal to win something with the national team,” he said before adding, “I believe that we are able to succeed and we’ll do all we can and we'll fight for it to go far.”

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Jankulovski Fit For Opener

[Trim]

Koller Announces International Retirement

Jan Koller has confirmed that he will retire from international football after when the Czech Republic's Euro 2008 campaign draws to a close this summer.

The 35-year-old striker announced his decision with three days to go before the start of the tournament and has stated that nothing can now change his mind.

After writing his name in the Czech history books by becoming the country's all-time record goalscorer with 52 to his name, Koller is ready to step down.

"My mind is made up," he stated. "This is my last involvement with the national team."

Koller still has a year remaining on his contract with Nuremberg, who have just been relegated to the German second tier and rumours persist that he will leave.

A return to his first ever club, Sparta Prague, has been mooted, but the 2.02m-tall forward has refused to comment on the speculation.

In the Czech Republic's warm-up games, Koller has been used as a lone front man by coach Karel Brückner at the tip of a successful 4-5-1 formation.

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Koller Announces International Retirement

[Daniel24]

Euro-Czech Republic squad penpix

Petr Cech (Chelsea). Goalkeeper. Born: 20.5.82. Caps: 59 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.

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: 64 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: 8 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: 6 Goals: 1.

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: 45 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: 68 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: 38 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: 66 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: 23 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: 16 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: 10 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: 6 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.

Rudi Skacel (Hertha Berlin). Midfielder. Born: 17.7.79. Caps: 4 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: 37 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: 30 Goals: 6.

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: 87 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: 2 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)

Euro-Czech Republic squad penpix - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports

[Vargas_4]

They ain't gonna go far if they keep up the performance they showed today

[Buddha14]

Agreed they were awful

[Lemmy]

A small amount of money has been stolen from the Czech Republic squad at their hotel in the Austrian town of Seefeld, a team spokesman and Austrian police said on Tuesday.

The Czechs are based at a spa hotel in the Tyrol region of Austria during Euro 2008 and a spokesman for Innsbruck police said the theft probably occurred between June 6 and 7.

“Investigations by the Tyrolean criminal police are continuing and there are no concrete details at the moment,” Innsbruck police spokesman Gerhard Ditz said. “The exact amount that was stolen is part of the enquiry.”

Ditz declined to say whether any Czech players or coaching staff had been interviewed as part of the police probe.

Czech team spokesman Lukas Tucek confirmed a small amount of money was taken but would not give any more details.

“The situation has been cleared up and security improved,” he said at a news conference at the Stade de Geneve ahead of the Czechs’ Group A match against Portugal on Wednesday.

The matter was closed and the team did not want to discuss it further, he added.

Euro-Cash stolen from Czechs at team hotel in Austria - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports