Euro 2012 Preview: Czech Republic

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