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Czech Republic Euro 2012 Profile: Review of Czech Republic's team, coach and more
How the Czech Republic qualified for Euro 2012
The Czechs will felicitate themselves for reaching Poland-Ukraine as they successfully overcame firm competition from Scotland in a qualifying group which also contained the likes of titleholders Spain. A 1-0 defeat to Lithuania got the Czech Republic on a bad start to their Euro 2012 qualification campaign.
However, wins at home to Scotland and away to Liechtenstein gave them 6 points after the 3rd round of matches. The Czechs lost both of their fixtures against the Spanish but did just enough to finish above third-placed Scotland in Group I.
Montenegro vs Czech Republic Preview
Montenegro are aware about their underperformance the other time. They want to make up for those mistakes and prove to their fans and to the public that they haven’t come a long way for nothing. Striker Dejan Damjanovic claims that Montenegro “won’t collapse”. “We have to be a lot more attacking in the second leg. Having lost the first game 2-0, we can't simply wait for a mistake from the Czech defense,” he reportedly told the press last weekend.
“We need a quick goal, and if we get that it'll be an open game, and everything is possible. If we start well, things will go our way, and maybe we can get an unbelievable result.”
Czech Republic vs Montenegro Preview
The Czechs will try to make the most of their home advantage. In truth, they aren’t favorite to progress into the finals of Euro 2012. Coach Michal Bilek has been left with huge problems concerning his man-squad. Midfielder Tomas Hubschman is already missing from Bilek’s roster due to suspension. The worst news for the Czech Republic, however, is that first choice keeper Petr Cech is currently unfit. The Chelsea player broke his nose against Blackburn Rovers last Saturday and Hamburg SV’s Jaroslav Drobny is a prime candidate to replace him.
“A broken nose is a painful injury, particularly for a goalkeeper who can be the target of challenges from tall strikers,” Bilek told UEFA.com on Monday.
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers play-off draw: Portugal, Turkey in tough ties
Pot 1 had the likes of Croatia (coefficient 32.723), Portugal (31.202), the Republic of Ireland (28.203) and the Czech Republic (27.982) as seeded teams. Pot 2 had Turkey (27.601), Bosnia and Herzegovina (27.199), Montenegro (21.876) and Estonia (20.355) the unseeded teams. On Thursday afternoon, the draw which took place in Krakow produced exciting matchups.Turkey vs Croatia will represent a repeat of the dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final where the Turks produced a stunning comeback to beat their opponents through a penalty shoot-out. The Croatians will be out to redeem themselves this time.
Fletcher hopeful despite Scotland’s awkward position ahead of Spain clash
Spain have nothing to play for since they are sure Euro 2012 participants. But Del Bosque’s aim is to guide his team to a perfect run in the qualifiers. The strength in depth of La Roja is so solid that even a second-choice squad could emerge with a confidence-boosting victory against Scotland tonight. Darren Fletcher commented on the titanic clash for his side.
“My experiences with Spanish sides, especially Barcelona, have not been great,” said the Manchester United midfielder according to UEFA.com.
“They [Spain] are the best side in the world – the world and European champions – so we are under no illusions of what we are up against.
Czech Republic vs Spain Preview
The rule for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualification is quite clear: only the hosts, the qualifying group leaders, the best runner-up and the play-off victors can participate in the final competition. Knowing this, it is obvious that the Czech cannot afford to give away their great chance to profit from Europe’s most prestigious tournament at international level.Looking at Group I, it is hard to predict who will occupy the second position of the table in the long run. While Spain are safe with 18 points and a goal difference of +16, 10 points holders Czech have reasons to keep a close eye on third place Scotland, who sit just 2 points behind.
Andres Iniesta: It's Only A Matter Of Time Before Torres Starts Scoring
Fernando Torres has barely made any impact at Chelsea since his big money move from Liverpool, not scoring a single goal despite already going into his third month at Stamford Bridge. However, Iniesta has praised El Nino by stating that it is only a matter of time before the Spaniard explodes into goal-scoring form at Chelsea.Iniesta said: "Fernando is doing really well. It's clear that strikers live to score, but in Granada he gave us plenty of things which people don't see such as hard work, helping defend and allowing others the space to play.
Spain vs Czech Republic Report
Vicente del Bosque's Spain dominated the first half of the game, pushing Czech Republic against its own goal, but Peter Cech denied Fury's every attempt to open the score.Andres Iniesta warned first at the third minute, but Chelsea's goalkeeper responded accordingly, deflecting the ball. Wingers Alvaro Arbeloa and Joan Capdevilla played a major role in the development of the game, feeding David Villa with numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
The most dangerous one came at the 26th minute, when Arbeloa found David Villa, who connected a powerful volley from inside the area, but it was not enough to beat Cech's goal. The game was about to take a radical twist as Jaroslav Plasil shot against Iker Casillas' goal for the first time in the game.
Arbeloa and Villa kept Czech defenders under a constant threat, dominating the aerial game and keeping Cech busy.
Girondins' gunner Plasil caught Roja's goalkeeper by surprise with a nearly-unstoppable mid-distance shot at the lower right angle at the 29th minute of the game. The goal froze the hosts.
Euro 2012 Qualifying: Czech Republic Aiming To Upset Spain
The Czechs occupy the second spot in Group I but a win on Friday will put them level on points with Spain. The Spanish, meanwhile, defend a perfect record in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign so far and it may take something special for Czech Republic to claim victory away from home.“It’s a huge game for us and for the whole team,” Rosicky told Reuters.
“Spain are the favourites and there’s no doubt about that. However, we didn’t come [to Spain] to lose, so we will fight throughout.”
In the latest international fixture, Czech Republic lost 4-2 to Croatia only to raise more concerns about their defence. But for Coach Michal Bilek, there’s no reason why his team should be afraid of 3.33 goals-per-match record holders Spain.
Spain vs Czech Republic Preview
Things have gone awry for Vicente del Bosque's Spain after South Africa. Both Argentina and Portugal had an easy time against the World Champions, defeating them 4-1 and 4-0 respectively. Weeks later, Spain failed to defeat Mexico, and even though they returned to victory against Colombia, the team showed a decayed version of itself, inaccurate and harmless.
Czech Repulic, on the other hand, is aware a victory can let them at the doorsteps of the European qualification. Lazio's Libor Kozak and goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik will be playing their first match with the Eastern National Football Team.
Reigning World and European champion Spain prepares to take on a direct rival for the next stage, will they succeed?
Euro 2012 Qualifying: Why Spain Are Right To Respect The Czech Republic
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has urged his players to respect the Czechs because “they’ve got dangerous men who are capable of getting good results”. In fact, the World Cup winning manager isn’t wrong to single out the Czech Republic as carrying a potential threat.
Czech Republic: Previously Down, Now Furious And Serious So Watch Out, Spain!
The Czech Republic is no more the side that received admiration from the public during Euro 2004. In June 2004 and 2005, the Czechs were on top of the world in the FIFA rankings. Ahead of the 2006 World Cup, they were also statistically considered to be only second behind then-chart leaders Brazil. But things have changed for the Czechs who are now 30 places below current world number one, Spain. Few are the teams that fear their name nowadays, surely because of the many failures they’ve been subject to in recent years.
Spain vs Czech Republic Team News: Puyol Still Out, Xavi Set For Milestone
Graduation For Two U-21 Players, Barcelona And Real Madrid Domination
Vicente del Bosque will have to do without the likes of Carles Puyol and Pedro Rodriguez. The Barcelona pair joins Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas on the sidelines. Puyol is yet to recover from his knee injury whereas Pedro and Fabregas are carrying hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
The exclusion of both Puyol and Pedro still doesn’t deny Barcelona from having the highest number of players in Vicente del Bosque’s roster for Spain’s Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic. The Catalans actually have 6 of their players called up for this international game whereas Real Madrid have 5.
Spain Nearing Euro 2012 Qualification With Czech Republic & Lithuania Matches
Spain seem to have lost the wonder touch that saw them reach the skies in 2008 and in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, the road to European glory in 2012 is long and we are only in its qualifying stages. The Spaniards may have struggled to defeat Colombia in February or failed to avoid humiliation against Portugal the other time, but the story in the Euro 2012 qualifiers is totally different. As Xavi very recently stated to downplay the importance of their bad results against the Portuguese or even the Argentines, "when Spain have to win, when there are points at stake, there is no failure".
Indeed, La Furia Roja is building yet another perfect record: the Spaniards have played 3 Euro 2012 qualifying matches so far and they’ve won them all with a remarkable average of more than 3 goals per game.
Czech Republic vs Scotland Report
The Scot’s made no secret of their intent to try and frustrate the Czech’s and defend in the pregame interviews, but their methods went beyond even what was expected. Coach Craig Levein benched in form goal scorer Kenny Miller and fielded a 4-6-0 formation with no recognized central striker.
Czech Republic vs Scotland Preview
Slow Start From the Czech'sThe Czech Republic will face pressure to win this fixture after starting their qualifying in disappointing fashion. The Czech’s opened up group play with a home fixture against Lithuania, but went down to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a Darvydas Sernas header. Milan Baros failed to convert a penalty for the Czech Republic during the game.
Striker Milan Baros will miss the game for the Czech’s, teenage striker Vaclav Kadlec has been called up as replacement and will hope to receive his international debut against the Scot’s.
With Spain also competing in Group I, the Czech Republic will be going all out for a win, as falling behind Scotland could be devastating to their hopes of Euro 2012 qualification. Speaking after the Lithuania disappointment, Czech midfielder Jaroslav Plasil told the UEFA website how important this fixture will be.
Euro 2012 Qualifying – Czech Republic vs Lithuania Match Preview
After disappointingly suffering a first round exit during Euro 2008 and failing to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Czech Republic are now under pressure to qualify for Euro 2012. Commencing the qualifying campaign on home soil should give them an advantage.
A new era is starting under Coach Michal Bilek and fervent fans hope that the country’s future in football is bright. Czech Republic international David Jarolim gave his thoughts about the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign as he spoke to fifa.com, saying:
“It is a new start for all of us. We have been drawn against tough opponents. Spain are especially the tough ones.
"It will be exceptionally difficult for us, but anything is possible in football. We are extremely motivated and determined to reach Euro 2012.”
USA vs Czech Republic - International Friendly Match Preview
The last time the USA met the Czech Republic, it ended in a real nightmare for the Americans. That was during the 2006 World Cup when the US national soccer team lost its first match of the campaign 3-0. Midfielder Landon Donovan recalled that miserable encounter ahead of their friendly against the Czech Republic.
“It wasn’t the fondest memory of my career – that game. I remember after five minutes we were down a goal and then we were chasing the game so it was difficult."
Scotland vs. Czech Republic Match Preview
As Scotland prepare for their friendly encounter with the Czech Republic at Hampden Park on Wednesday news comes that new manager Craig Levein has banned alcohol from the squad during international duty.
Scotland team quote of the day:
"I don't think anyone has any major problems not being able to have a drink. We are only here for a short period of time.”
Scotland and Birmingham midfielder James McFadden.
“Och no, it’s nae bother,…” you can almost hear the Scotland players say,… “but if we were going to be here a wee while longer we would have a problem with that.”
There it is in a nutshell. Scotland’s hopes and dreams of international glory encapsulated innocently enough in an unconsciously amusing statement of support for the new manager.
Amusing though it may appear the sad reality is that Scotland’s history of international competition has been riddled with incidents of excessive drink, poor behavior and even an allegation of drug use.
Czech Republic v Poland European World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Things have astonishingly unfolded in Group 3 where Slovakia have the lead at the top of a congested table.
Whereas three points separate second-placed Slovenia from fifth-placed Poland in this six-team grid, five points detach the leaders Slovakia from the rest.
Anxiety and hope will surely reign in the camp of the Czechs ahead of Saturday’s crunch encounter at the Sparta Stadium against Poland.
Slovakia v Czech Republic Live Match Preview
Slovakia sit top of the group with fifteen points, seven clear of their Czech neighbours. With home advantage, the Slovaks are favored to get 3 points from this match, giving them almost a group win guarantee. However with the history of these two nations, this game will almost play out as a Derby. Czech Republic´s qualification chances are almost impossible with Northern Ireland comfortably in second. Slovakia will cherish this opportunity which if victorious, will in all likelihood give...