Czechs point the way

The Czech Republic are in Euro 2004 Group D with Germany, Holland and Latvia. Their coach is Karel Bruckner and two of their squad play in the Premiership, Milan Baros and Vladmir Smicer of Liverpool. Goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to be at Chelsea next season.

The Facts

Czechoslovakia won the European Championship in 1976, defeating West Germany in the first ever major final to be settled in a penalty shoot-out.

The Czechs have led Brazil in a World Cup Final. Josef Masopust scored the opening goal in the 1962 final but Brazil came back to win 3-1.

Czechoslovakia split into The Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

Two of the Czech side that reached the Euro 96 final moved to the Premiership that summer. Patrik Berger joined Liverpool and Karel Poborsky signed for Manchester United.

Pavel Nedved of Juventus is the current European Player of the Year, beating Thierry Henry into second place.

The Opinion

Liverpool striker Milan Baros isn’t worried that the Czechs have been paired with Holland and Germany in their Euro 2004 qualifying group.

"Nobody gave us a chance in 1996 when we faced Italy, Germany and Russia," he said.

"It would be great to repeat the success of Euro 96 when we got to the final. I believe we can go far this time as well because we are hungry for success."

The Dutch will be favourites from Group D but it is worth remembering the Czechs beat them in their qualifying campaign and Holland only reached Portugal via the play-offs.

"It’s a pity we have Holland again but our first match is against Latvia and if we win that, we will have more confidence for our next two games.

"Germany haven’t been in dazzling form. In my opinion, we are among the favourites for Euro 2004 in Portugal.

"We are in a hard group but all 16 teams in Portugal are strong really."

Baros broke his ankle against Blackburn last season and missed several months. But he thinks that could prove a blessing in disguise.

"I may be fresher than our opponents. And the same for Tomas Rosicky of Borussia Dortmund. He has been injured as well this season but is one of our best players."

The Colour

Albums of zany American musician Frank Zappa were banned by the Communist Government. When they fell in 1989, playwright Vaclav Havel became President and revealed he was a big Zappa fan.

Martina Navratilova, Ivan Lendl and Martina Hingis were all raised in Czechoslovakia but took on other nationalities.

Emile Zatopek is known as the greatest long-distance athlete of all-time. He won the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon gold medals at the 1952 Olympics.

Cult band Half man Half biscuit had a hit record about Subbuteo called ‘All I want for Christmas is a Dukla Prague away kit’, Dukla Prague being one of the Czechs most famous club sides.

Pavel Nedved of Juventus is known as Furia Ceca (The Czech Wizard) in Italy. Juve fans believe they would have won the 2003 Champions League if Nedved hadn’t been suspended for the final against AC Milan.

The Matches