May 22 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic squad for Euro 2008 is
likely to be chosen from the following players:
Petr Cech (Chelsea). Goalkeeper. Born: 20.5.82. Caps: 57
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: 52
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:
62 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.
Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow). Defender. Born: 25.5.79.
Caps: 31 Goals: 0.
Tough defender sidelined for eight months this season with
an Achilles tendon injury, can fill in at right wingback or
stopper. Has also played for Reggina and Slovan Liberec. Not
included in coach Karel Brueckner's 23-man pre-tournament
training squad.
Michal Kadlec (Sparta Prague). Defender. Born: 13.12.84.
Caps: 4 Goals: 0.
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.
Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow). Defender. Born: 27.11.79.
Caps: 21 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.
Zdenek Pospech (FC Copenhagen). Defender. Born: 14.12.78.
Caps: 7 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.
David Rozehnal (Lazio). Defender. Born: 5.7.80. Caps: 43
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.
Jan Simunek (VfL Wolfsburg). Defender. Born: 20.2.87. Caps:
0 Goals: 0.
Captain of the under-20 team that lost 2-1 to Argentina in
the 2007 World Cup final, he moved to the Bundesliga after just
one league match for Sparta Prague last year. Not included in
coach Karel Brueckner's 23-man pre-tournament training squad.
Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina). Defender. Born: 24.3.78. Caps:
66 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.
Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg). Midfielder. Born: 15.1.73. Caps:
64 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.
David Jarolim (Hamburg SV). Midfielder. Born: 17.5.79. Caps:
14 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: 8 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.
Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna). Midfielder. Born: 5.1.82. Caps:
35 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.
Jan Polak (Anderlecht). Midfielder. Born: 14.3.81. Caps: 36
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.
Daniel Pudil (Slavia Prague). Midfielder. Born: 27.9.85.
Caps: 3 Goals: 1.
Left wing attacking midfielder who has suffered a bad run of
form in the Czech league. Can also play at left back.
Libor Sionko (FC Copenhagen). Midfielder. Born: 1.2.77.
Caps: 29 Goals: 4.
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.
Tomas Sivok (Sparta Prague). Midfielder. Born: 15.9.83.
Caps: 5 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.
Milan Baros (Portsmouth). Forward. Born: 28.10.81. Caps: 63
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: 85
Goals: 52.
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.
Marek Kulic (Sparta Prague). Forward. Born: 11.10.75. Caps:
12 Goals: 3.
Experienced striker but his chances are waning with his
recent shift to the Sparta bench. Not included in coach Karel
Brueckner's 23-man pre-tournament training squad.
Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava). Forward. Born: 1.11.83.
Caps: 0 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:
9 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)
