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.
With 4 wins and 1 draw in a total of 8 matches, the Czech Republic clinched 13 points, 9 less than group winners Spain but 2 more than the Scots. In the play-offs, they met Montenegro and triumphed 3-0 on aggregate.
With this feat, the Czechs maintained their remarkable record of reaching the European Championship finals at every occasion since 1996 (when they first participated as an independent nation).
Who is the Czech Republic’s coach?
Michal Bilek will be responsible of guiding the Czechs during Euro 2012. As a player, Bilek represented Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic. In October 2009, the 47-year-old coach replaced Ivan Hasek. The latter had resigned following his failure to lead the Czechs to South Africa 2010.
With the country’s participation in the 2012 European Championship come June, Michal Bilek has rekindled the fans’ belief in the success of the team on the international stage. The Czech Republic suffered a group stage exit in the previous tournament. It will be up to Michal Bilek to take his team beyond Round 1 this year.
Who is the Czech Republic's key player?
Petr Cech
2012 UEFA Champions League winning goalkeeper Petr Cech will participate in yet another European Championship. Four years ago, the Chelsea shot stopper had a miserable tournament as the Czech Republic suffered a group stage exit.
Defeats to Portugal and Turkey saw Petr Cech concede 6 goals in the process. This time round, the Czech Republic's main power might come from their defence as fitness troubles surround talisman Tomas Rosicky.
In the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich in May, Cech played a crucial role in the penalty shoot outs. Now, emotions run high within every Chelsea player.
Euro 2012 could not have come at a better time for the veteran player. After going through a perod of low confidence in the past due to a deadly head injury, FA Cup and Champions League winner Petr Cech could seal his eventful year with a formidable display in post.
The Czech Republic’s Euro 2012 squad
Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Jan Lastuvka, Jaroslav Drobny
Defenders: Roman Hubnik, Michal Kadlec, Tomas Sivok, Daniel Pudil, David Limbersky, Frantisek Rajtoral, Theo Gebre Selassie, Marek Suchy.
Midfielders: Tomas Rosicky, Petr Jiracek, Daniel Kolar, Vaclav Pilar, Jan Rezek, Jaroslav Plasil, Milan Petrzela, Tomas Hubschman, Vladimir Darida
Forwards: Milan Baros, Tomas Pekhart, David Lafata, Tomas Necid
Who are the Czech Republic’s Euro 2012 group opponents?
The Czech Republic have decent chances of making it out of Group A. However, no-one can underestimate the potential of Russia, Euro 2004 champions Greece and Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland. The latter will have the support of their home crowd.
The Czech Republic’s group matches schedule
June 8, 2012: Russia vs Czech Republic – Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw
June 12, 2012: Greece vs Czech Republic – Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw
June 16, 2012: Czech Republic vs Poland – Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw
Find more on the Czech Republic’s live streaming and TV schedule info page.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Gone are the days when the Czech Republic sat just behind world number 1 Brazil… The Czechs were ranked second in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Many things have changed since then. The Czechs dropped out of Europe’s top 15 zone in the latest FIFA Ranking. They enter Euro 2012 in 16th position continentally.
