MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 11:44:18| >> :600:2682654:2682654:

Euro 2012 Preview: Czech Republic

Euro 2012 Preview: Czech Republic
© PA Photos
The Czech Republic have a good record at previous European Championships. Here, Sports Mole examines their chances of continuing their positive run.

Since gaining independence, the Czech Republic have qualified for the last five European Championships.

What's more, out of those five tournaments they have reached the final once and the semi-final on one further occasion. As a result, they are a nation with plenty of international competition know-how.

While the bookmakers are offering long odds on the Czech Republic repeating those achievements, few nations will relish coming up against a side that have been there and done it.

Group: A

Manager: Michal Bilek - At 47-years-old, Bilek will be one of the youngest managers at the tournament. Having failed to get his nation to the World Cup in 2010, Bilek will be looking for a positive response this time around.

Players to watch:

Michal Kadlec: There are not many full-backs with seven international goals to their name but Kadlec is one of them. The Bayern Leverkusen man is regarded as a free-kick specialist.

Tomas Necid: The 22-year-old has only just recovered from a serious knee injury. However, his direct approach could cause problems to opposition defenders.

Petr Cech: Fresh from being crowned a champion of club football in Europe, Cech will have to be at his very best if his nation are to make an impact at the tournament.

Previous Best: Winners (as Czechoslovakia), 1976

Sports Mole's prediction for Euro 2012: Quarter-finals

ID:28080: cacheID:28080:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2322:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tomas Rosicky
Read Next:
Rosicky included in Czech squad
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!