G6 Team Profile: CZECH REPUBLIC
Mix together a group of talented veterans featuring midfielders Pavel Nedved (Juventus) and Karel Poborsky (Ceské Budejovice) with a crop of young stars like Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Milan Baros (Aston Villa) and Petr Cech (Chelsea) and you get one of the most capable teams in Europe, if not the world. That is exactly what the Czech Republic has.
The older players like former Manchester United star Poborsky and Nedved, a former European Player of the Year who came out of international retirement to help his country reach the World Cup, have provided invaluable leadership to the team. Meanwhile midfielder Rosicky and striker Baros, the Golden Boot winner at Euro 2004, have matured and created goals -or prevented them, as the case may be with goalkeeper Petr Cech (Chelsea).
Other players who should play key roles for the Czechs will be veterans Tomas Galasek (Ajax) and Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), especially with Vladimir Smicer (Girondins Bordeaux) missing the Cup due to injury. Another key to World Cup success could be the fitness of Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund). The giant striker, who has scored 44 times for his country, has been injured most of this season.
The Czechs failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup but at Euro 2004 they advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Germany and Holland in the process. Over the past two years they seem to have only gotten better and the Czechs scored more goals than anyone else in European qualifying for this World Cup. With a current FIFA world ranking of #2, they will have to be considered among the favorites to lift the trophy. The Czech Republic is as talented and deep as any team in the field- but will they be able to live up to the big expectations?
Comments
This is a scary team. When they put it all together, they can beat anyone.
Posted by: ForzaItalia | June 5, 2006 06:25 PM
This team would go to the next round, no question.
Posted by: Dave | June 5, 2006 08:35 PM
irrespective of how talented their stars are Ghana will still score czech 3 goals to 1.
Posted by: charles | June 6, 2006 11:21 AM
this team is dangerous.. they play a great soccer.. teams have to be careful not to underestimate them, or else they've already lost the game
Posted by: Anonymous | June 6, 2006 11:33 AM
have a good game against usa
Posted by: vinny | June 6, 2006 02:51 PM
Czech Republic-5
USA-0
Posted by: Anonymous | June 6, 2006 05:04 PM
They are probably in the best opening match of the world cup. Whoever wins this game, will probably get to the second round.
Posted by: Brandon | June 6, 2006 06:30 PM
I hope to see holland VS Czech. Now that would be a great match!!
Posted by: Oranje | June 6, 2006 09:16 PM
the Czech Republic is the best because of there goalie.... if peter cech is not there they whoud lose every game he is the best
Posted by: lil J | June 7, 2006 02:44 PM
Very good team if everybody is healthy. If Baros and others are not. Then it might be a problem
Posted by: Bob | June 7, 2006 08:14 PM
beware the czechs,for we can really beat anyone if everything works out right.only i don't understand the FIFA world ranking-czech rep.is 2nd,brasil 1st,but still we can meet already in the quarterfinals...well..but i do believe we'd be the team,that will go on.i would even have couple of caipirinas in between my beers:) if we'd lose,nevermind-for czech beer rules anyway!!!na zdravi!
Posted by: vampyro | June 9, 2006 07:47 AM
Yes but the dutch are ranked 3rd
Posted by: oranje | June 9, 2006 08:55 PM
This is the best team in the group D. If Baros is in good form, he will be the best goalscorer of the tournament. I think they will pass to the semifinal. After the European championship where they unfortunately lost with greeks this tournament would be a great satisfaction!!Go Czechs!!
Posted by: Andy | June 10, 2006 05:44 AM
The USA will lose to the Czechs. The Czechs will advance and beat Italy, dont know why everyone thinks Italy is so great. Mr. KNVB towards the top who said the Czechs are nothing without Cech, not true. they are a great team and will not underachieve.
Posted by: kuna | June 10, 2006 12:04 PM
They are a good team but will not play together and for that the US will win 1-0
Posted by: peace | June 11, 2006 08:08 PM
to Kuna, that was not my message it was LIL J. I think the Czech wil do good even if they don't have Petr Cech
Posted by: oranje | June 11, 2006 08:09 PM
*sorry to peace
Posted by: oranje | June 11, 2006 08:10 PM
czechs will win 3-1
Posted by: bobby | August 14, 2006 09:58 PM
Thats more than sesinble! Thats a great post!
Posted by: Prudence | June 21, 2011 02:58 AM