GROUP A Preview- Czech Republic

Back in 2004 they were the outstanding team of the tournament, with dazzling displays of free-flowinf football only to be beaten by the evetual winners Greece. Now they are back for another go with 68 year-old Karol Bruckner still at the helm as a few of their golden generation of players reach th latter stages of their careers. nedved has already retired from international football and the likes of Grygera, Jankulovsky, Ujfalusi, Galasek, Sionko and Koller all in the wrong side of thirties. Having said that they still boast one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Peter Cech and quality players such as Plasil, Baros and Rozenhal. With Rosicky of Arsenal alo out injured as well it looks unlikely that they will repeat the magic of EURO 2004. Bruckner likes to employ a 4-4-2 formation with the midfield usually staying rigid in a diamond formation and the full backs playing the entirity of the wing. Koller and Baros should be the partnership yet again upfron although both of them had mediocre seasons with their clubs.

PROS AND CONS

PROS:
1)Starting eleven will be as good as anyone
2)Peter Cech with Ujfalusi and Rozenhal (or Kovac) should be formidable
3)Koller and Baros have been playi ng together upfront for years
4)Young hopeful striker Martin Fenin could squeeze in after a very good season in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt

CONS:
1)Ageing side without talisman Nedved and charismatic playmaker Rosicky
2)Plenty of key players had a poor season notably Jankulovsky, Koller
3) Not enough depth in quality with a few squd players not playing in top leagues


Czech Republic roster
Goalkeepers:
Petr Čech (Chelsea FC)
Jaromír Blažek (1. FC Nürnberg)
Daniel Zítka (RSC Anderlecht)

Defenders:
Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan)
David Rozehnal (S.S. Lazio)
Tomáš Ujfaluši (Atletico Madrid)
Zdeněk Pospěch (FC København)
Zdeněk Grygera (Juventus)
Michal Kadlec (AC Sparta Praha)
Tomáš Sivok (AC Sparta Praha)
Radoslav Kováč (FC Spartak Moskva)

Midfielders:
Tomáš Galásek (1. FC Nürnberg)
David Jarolím (Hamburger SV)
Jaroslav Plašil (CA Osasuna)
Jan Polák (RSC Anderlecht)
Marek Matějovský (Reading FC)
Libor Sionko (FC København)
Daniel Pudil (SK Slavia Praha)
Stanislav Vlček (RSC Anderlecht)

Forwards:
Jan Koller (1. FC Nürnberg)
Milan Baroš (Porsmouth FC)
Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Václav Svěrkoš (FC Baník Ostrava)