 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Petr Cech (Chelsea). Goalkeeper. Born: 20.5.82. Caps: 58 Goals: 0.
Wears a protective cap since suffering a fractured skull during a clash in an English Premier League match in October 2006. Recently added a chin protector after a facial operation following a training accident. First choice for club and country, helping Chelsea reach the Champions League final.
Jaromir Blazek (Nuremberg). Goalkeeper. Born: 29.12.72. Caps: 14 Goals: 0.
Experienced back-up to first choice Cech, proven by several Champions League seasons with Sparta Prague. Renowned for handling one-on-one situations well, he has played for local rivals Slavia and Bohemians.
Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht). Goalkeeper. Born: 20.6.75. Caps: 1 Goals: 0.
Solid performances in the Belgian league moved him to the number three position ahead of Antonin Kinsky of Saturn Ramenskoje.
Zdenek Grygera (Juventus). Defender. Born: 14.5.80. Caps: 53 Goals: 2.
A versatile defender who can play wingback on either side as well as sweeper. Lost his place in the team after a string of injuries. Has also played for Ajax Amsterdam and Sparta Prague.
Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan). Defender. Born: 9.5.77. Caps: 63 Goals: 10.
Left-footed attacking midfielder established as first choice left wingback since his surprise selection for the Euro 2000 finals squad. Suffered a knee injury this season and considering retiring from the international game after Euro 2008. Has also played for Udinese, Napoli and Banik Ostrava.
Zdenek Pospech (FC Copenhagen). Defender. Born: 14.12.78. Caps: 7 Goals: 0.
Attack-minded right wingback who is only 1.7 metres but a surprisingly good header of the ball. Vies for selection with Jiranek. Joined Copenhagen after excelling at Sparta Prague.
Michal Kadlec (Sparta Prague). Defender. Born: 13.12.84. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.
Reliable back-up to Jankulovski and is the son of former international Miroslav, who was in the Czech side beaten in the Euro 96 final in England.
David Rozehnal (Lazio). Defender. Born: 5.7.80. Caps: 44 Goals: 0.
The tall stopper took over from Rene Bolf in the middle of the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign. Has also played for Newcastle United, Paris St Germain and Club Bruges.
Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina). Defender. Born: 24.3.78. Caps: 67 Goals: 2.
A technically gifted defender who was switched to right back after an error in the 2006 World Cup group stage defeat by Ghana. Also played for Hamburg SV and Sigma Olomouc before moving to Serie A. Appointed captain before Euro 2008.
Jan Polak (Anderlecht). Midfielder. Born: 14.3.81. Caps: 37 Goals: 6.
Defensive midfielder who made a surprise debut aged 18 under former coach Jozef Chovanec but had to wait five years until February 2006 to get another chance for the Czechs. His red card in a 2006 World Cup group match against Italy was seen by fans as the final nail in the coffin for the Czechs at those finals.
Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg). Midfielder. Born: 15.1.73. Caps: 65 Goals: 1.
Former Czech captain took over the defensive midfield position from Radek Bejbl after Euro 2000 and has become an indispensible pillar since then. He ends his international career after the tournament.
Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow). Midfielder. Born: 27.11.79. Caps: 22 Goals: 1.
Tall and tough defensive organiser, established as first-choice stopper after starting international career as a back-up for Galasek or Polak in a defensive midfield role. Also played for Sparta Prague and Sigma Olomouc.
David Jarolim (Hamburg SV). Midfielder. Born: 17.5.79. Caps: 15 Goals: 1.
The mercurial midfielder fights with Copenhagen's Libor Sionko for the right wing role. Served a four-match ban for grabbing an opponent's genitals in the Bundesliga this season.
Marek Matejovsky (Reading). Midfielder. Born: 20.12.81. Caps: 9 Goals: 1.
Faces the tough task of being the playmaker in the absence of the injured Tomas Rosicky. Was superb deputising for Rosicky in the crucial 3-0 qualifying win in Germany.
Tomas Sivok (Sparta Prague). Midfielder. Born: 15.9.83. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.
Defensive midfielder who boosted his chances of selection after rejoining Sparta Prague on loan from Udinese during the winter break. Has a fierce shot and is also good in the air.
Rudolf Skacel (Hertha Berlin). Midfielder. Born: 17.7.79. Caps: 3 Goals: 1
Given a very late call-up after fellow midfielder Daniel Pudil had to withdraw from the squad after breaking a bone in his hand. Had spells at Olympique Marseille and Panathinaikos, but has not played for his country since 2005.
Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna). Midfielder. Born: 5.1.82. Caps: 36 Goals: 2.
Attacking midfielder who plays on both wings for the Czechs but gave his best performance in a more central role in the crucial qualifying victory over Germany in Munich.
Libor Sionko (FC Copenhagen). Midfielder. Born: 1.2.77. Caps: 29 Goals: 4.
Excellent performances against Slovakia and Germany in the Euro 2008 qualifiers sealed his place on the right wing, where his pace and trickery cause problems for defenders.
Milan Baros (Portsmouth). Forward. Born: 28.10.81. Caps: 64 Goals: 31.
Top scorer at Euro 2004, having started his international career with a goal on his debut against Belgium aged 19. French police confiscated his black Ferrari and took his licence after he was caught speeding at 271 kph in November when at French champions Olympique Lyon. Joined Portsmouth on loan and became an FA Cup winner after a substitute appearance at Wembley.
Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt). Forward. Born: 16.4.87. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.
Excellent performances at the under-20 World Cup opened the door to the national team last year. Immediately impressed fans after scoring four goals in two Bundesliga appearances following a move from Teplice in this year's winter break.
Jan Koller (Nuremberg). Forward. Born: 30.3.73. Caps: 86 Goals: 54.
Czech record scorer who netted six times in the qualifying campaign and will end his international career after the tournament. The lanky, 2.02 metre striker has become nearly unstoppable in the air but is also a tricky handful on the ground. The Czech Player of the Year in 1999 has also featured for Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, Anderlecht, Lokeren and Sparta Prague. Scored on his debut against Belgium at 25.
Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava). Forward. Born: 1.11.83. Caps: 1 Goals: 0.
The top Czech league scorer hopes to be part of the team, having never missed out on national selection since playing for the under-15s. Has also played for Borussia Moenchengladbach, Hertha Berlin and Austria Vienna.
Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht). Forward. Born: 26.2.76. Caps: 10 Goals: 0.
Determined striker who can also play in a midfield role. Usually restricted to appearances as a late substitute for the Czechs. Helped Slavia Prague to their first Champions League appearance before moving to Anderlecht in the winter break.
