Czech Republic Team Profile: Euro 2016

Sport360 staff 09:14 07/06/2016
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  • Czech Republic.

    Despite a modest player pool, a declining quality and corruption allegations in their domestic league, the Czech Republic have always maintained a strong affinity with the European Championships.

    Part of the inaugural event in 1960, they were winners in 1976 – their only international trophy, reached the final in 1996 and semi-finals in 2004, where they were arguably the best team in the competition. That success 12 years ago, however, has shaped the future for the national team as much as it defines the past.

    Clinging on to the old guard has left a generation gap in Czech football – only four members of this squad are aged 24 or under – and only recently has it been addressed with the Under-21 side, despite failing to get out of their group, impressing in last year’s European Championships. A few members of that group will be present in France but it’s the veterans from 2004 who may still shape fortunes over the next four weeks.

    Arsenal duo Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky plus Bordeaux’s Jaroslav Plasil were all in the early 20s when they swept into the last four and are the survivors from that vintage group. With Cech captain, Rosicky will almost certainly start if fit, while Plasil’s dead-ball ability and tournament knowhow means he’ll have a part to play. All three, however, will likely retire from international duty once Euro 2016 concludes meaning this will act as much as a window into the future as it will be a celebration of legends.

    Pavel Vrba’s side impressed in qualifying, topping a group including fellow France attendees Iceland and Turkey plus the Netherlands, who they beat twice. Short on star names they may be, but it’s a chance for a new generation to emerge in a tournament they have a proud tradition they want to uphold.

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    STRENGTHS

    As unglamorous as it sounds, the Czechs are sure to be very organised under a coach who has earned the trust of his players and has them playing as a team. Petr Cech is no longer among the world’s elite, but still remains one of the stronger and more dependable No1s in the tournament, while Tomas Rosicky and Vladimir Darida are part of a technically-sound midfield unit.

     WEAKNESSES

    The strange paradox with the Czechs is that while they have a set system and look solid, they struggle to keep clean sheets; having conceded in each of their 10 qualifiers. Much of that is down to Vrba’s commitment to offensive football which often leaves them short. Strikers David Lafata and Tomas Necid have enjoyed productive domestic seasons but neither can be considered world class.

    STAR MAN – VLADIMIR DARIDA

    A key component of Hertha Berlin’s excellent season in which they threatened to qualify for the Champions League. If Tomas Rosicky doesn’t recover in time, Darida will act as chief creator but is not your standard No10. The 25-year-old is an all-action, box-to-box midfielder who covers an incredible amount of distance and is just as likely to be stealing possession as he is making a killer pass or shot at goal. Learned his trade under Vrba at Plzen before making the move to the Bundesliga and is very much the coach’s eyes and ears on the field.

    VERDICT

    Arguably the weakest of the four teams in what is a devilishly difficult group, they will do well to reach the next stage. But expect them to be involved in every game and if they can find a goalscorer, could cause an upset.

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