Czech Republic

Coach:

Karel Brueckner

Born: 13/11/39

Goalkeepers

Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Born: 20/05/82 Caps: 59 Goals: 0

Wears a protective cap since suffering a fractured skull during a clash in an English Premier League match. He then added a chin protector after a facial operation following a training accident.

Jaromir Blazek (Nuremberg)

Born: 29/12/72 Caps: 14 Goals: 0

An experienced back-up to first choice Cech and renowned for handling one-on-one situations well.

Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht)

Born: 20/06/75 Caps: 1 Goals: 0

Solid performances in the Belgian league moved him to the number three position ahead of Antonin Kinsky of Saturn Ramenskoje.

Defenders

Zdenek Grygera (Juventus)

Born: 14/05/80 Caps: 53 Goals: 2

A versatile defender who can feature as a wingback on either side as well as sweeper. Lost his place in the team after a string of injuries.

Marek Jankulovski (Milan)

Born: 09/05/77 Caps: 64 Goals: 10

Left-footed attacking midfielder established as first choice left wingback since his surprise selection for the tournament squad. Suffered from an injured knee this season and is considering retiring from the international game following the European Championship.

Zdenek Pospech (FC Copenhagen)

Born: 14/12/78 Caps: 8 Goals: 0

Attack-minded right wingback and has a good header of the ball. Vies for selection with Jiranek. Joined Copenhagen after excelling at Sparta Prague.

Michal Kadlec (Sparta Prague)

Born: 13/12/84 Caps: 6 Goals:1

A reliable back-up to Jankulovski and is the son of former international Miroslav, who was in the Czech side beaten in the European Championship final in England.

David Rozehnal (Lazio)

Born: 05/07/80 Caps: 45 Goals: 0

The tall stopper took over from Rene Bolf in the middle of the last World Cup qualifiers campaign. Has also featured with Newcastle United, Paris St Germain and Club Bruges.

Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina)

Born: 24/03/78 Caps: 68 Goals: 2

A gifted defender who was switched to right back following an error in the last World Cup. Also featured for Hamburg SV and Sigma Olomouc before moving to the Italian Serie A. Appointed captain before the European Championship.

Midfielders

Jan Polak (Anderlecht)

Born: 14/03/81 Caps: 38 Goals: 6

A defensive midfielder who made a surprise debut under former coach Jozef Chovanec but had to wait to get another chance for the Czechs. His red card in a World Cup group match was seen as the final nail in the coffin for the Czechs at the finals.

Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg)

Born: 15/01/73 Caps: 66 Goals: 1

The former Czech captain took over the defensive midfield position from Radek Bejbl following the last European Championship and has become an indispensible pillar since then. He ends his international career after this tournament.

Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow)

Born: 27/11/79 Caps: 23 Goals: 1

A 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.

David Jarolim (Hamburg SV)

Born: 17/05/79 Caps: 16 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 German Bundesliga this season.

Marek Matejovsky (Reading)

Born: 20/12/81 Caps: 10 Goals: 1

Matejovsky Faces the tough task of replacing the injured Tomas Rosicky.

Tomas Sivok (Sparta Prague)

Born: 15/09/83 Caps: 6 Goals: 0

A 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)

Born: 17/07/79 Caps: 4 Goals: 1

Given a 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 been part of the national team for quite a while.

Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna)

Born: 05/01/82 Caps: 37 Goals: 2

An attacking midfielder on both wings for the Czechs but gave his best performance in a more central role.

Libor Sionko (FC Copenhagen)

Born: 01/02/77 Caps: 30 Goals:6

Excellent performances in the qualifiers sealed his place on the right wing, where his pace and tricks cause problems for defenders.

Forwards

Milan Baros (Portsmouth)

Born: 28/10/81 Caps: 64 Goals: 31

Top scorer at the last European Championship, having started his international career with a goal on his debut against Belgium. French police confiscated his black Ferrari and took his licence after he was caught speeding. Joined Portsmouth on loan and became an FA Cup winner after a substitute appearance.

Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Born: 16/04/87 Caps: 5 Goals: 0

Excellent performances at the adolescent World Cup opened the door to the national team. Impressed fans after scoring four goals in two German Bundesliga appearances following a move from Teplice during the winter break.

Jan Koller (Nuremberg)

Born: 30/03/73 Caps: 87 Goals: 54

Czech record scorer who netted six times in the qualifiers but will end his international career after the tournament. The 2.02 metre striker has become almost unstoppable in the air but is also a handful on the ground.

Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava)

Born: 01/11/83 Caps: 2 Goals: 0

The top Czech league scorer hopes to be part of the team, having never missed out on national selection since he was a teenager.

Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht)

Born: 26/02/76 Caps: 10 Goals: 0

A determined striker who can also take on a midfield role. Restricted to appearances as a late substitute for the Czechs.