Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers
Jaromir BLAZEK
29.12.72
Nurnberg (Ger)
14 caps (0 goals)
Experienced keeper who has remained Cech’s deputy despite a difficult season at Nurnberg, where he was briefly dropped after a series of errors. Previously at Sparta Prague.
Petr CECH
20.05.82
Chelsea (Eng)
57 caps (0 goals)
Automatic first-choice keeper and the team’s biggest star. Made a remarkably swift return from a serious head injury in October 2006. His protective headguard has become his trademark.
Daniel ZITKA
20.06.75
Anderlecht (Blg)
1 cap (0 goals)
Named the Belgian League’s top keeper last season and made his international debut last November aged 32. Now seems to be the Czechs’ No 3 choice.
Defenders
Zdenek GRYGERA
14.05.80
Juventus (Ita)
52 caps (2 goals)
Speedy, skilful defender, typically used as a right-back but who can also fill in as a central defender
or on the left. Has struggled with injuries since joining Juventus from Ajax last summer.
Marek JANKULOVSKI
09.05.77
Milan (Ita)
62 caps (10 goals)
Pacy left wing-back and a key player. Underwent knee surgery in October and though he returned to action with Milan in February was ruled out against Denmark in March because of continuing pain.
Michal KADLEC
13.12.84
Sparta Prague
4 caps (0 goals)
Intelligent left-sided defender or midfielder who can also play at right-back but is still unproven on the international stage. Father Miroslav captained the Czech Republic at Euro 96.
Radoslav KOVAC
27.11.79
Spartak Moscow (Rus)
21 caps (1 goal)
Hard-working central defender with a powerful shot who occasionally plays as a defensive midfielder. Underwent a shoulder operation in March but should be fit in time for the finals.
Zdenek POSPECH
14.12.78
FC Copenhagen (Den)
7 caps (0 goals)
Right wing-back who, at 1.70m (5ft 7in), is surprisingly good in the air. Joined Copenhagen on the back of fine performances for Sparta Prague, but, by his own admission, has not been at his best.
David ROZEHNAL
05.07.80
Lazio (Ita)
43 caps (0 goals)
Tall, no-nonsense central defender who became a regular in the run-up to the last World Cup. Joined Lazio on loan from Newcastle in January, but has struggled to make an impact there either.
Rudi SKACEL
17.7.79
Hertha Berlin (Ger)
3 caps (1 goal)
Given a late call-up after Daniel Pudil had to withdraw from the squad after breaking a bone in his hand. Has not played for his country since 2005.
Tomas UJFALUSI
24.03.78
Fiorentina (Ita)
66 caps (2 goals)
Central defender who can also play at right-back and is the main defensive organiser. Comfortable on the ball and has good vision. Scandal surrounded his 29th birthday party during the qualifiers.
Midfielders
Tomas GALASEK
15.01.73
Nurnberg (Ger)
64 caps (1 goal)
Still the first-choice defensive midfielder despite being 35. Lacks pace but is good at winning and distributing the ball. Captained the team at the last World Cup; Rosicky now has the role.
David JAROLIM
17.05.79
Hamburg (Ger)
14 caps (1 goal)
Versatile squad member, more successful on the right of midfield than as a playmaker. Based in Germany for his entire club career. Father Karel coaches Slavia Prague, brother Lukas plays for Siena.
Marek MATEJOVSKY
20.12.81
Reading (Eng)
8 caps (1 goal)
Technically gifted attacking midfielder whose career took off late. A star of the qualifying win away to Germany when deputising for Rosicky. Joined Reading from Mlada Boleslav in January.
Jaroslav PLASIL
05.01.82
Osasuna (Spa)
35 caps (2 goals)
Versatile midfielder, usually employed on the left flank. His virtuoso performance against Germany last October was the exception rather than the rule. Married to a Brazilian ballerina.
Jan POLAK
14.03.81
Anderlecht (Blg)
36 caps (6 goals)
Adaptable midfielder with a powerful shot. Prefers a central role but can deputise for the deep-lying Galasek. Last summer joined Anderlecht from Nurnberg, where he had not liked being played out wide.
Libor SIONKO
01.02.77
FC Copenhagen (Den)
29 caps (4 goals)
Right-sided attacking midfielder with explosive pace and ample skill, but not in the same class as predecessors Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer.
Tomas SIVOK
15.09.83
Sparta Prague
5 caps (0 goals)
Committed midfielder or defender, strong in the air and has good positional sense and a powerful shot. Back in national team contention after rejoining Sparta on loan from Udinese.
Forwards
Milan BAROS
28.10.81
Portsmouth (Eng)
63 caps (31 goals)
Pacy striker yet to refind the form he showed at Euro 2004, where he finished top scorer. Hasn’t scored for the national team in over a year but remains a regular starter. On loan at Portsmouth from Lyon.
Martin FENIN
16.04.87
Eintracht Frankfurt (Ger)
5 caps (0 goals)
His cool finishing at last year’s Under-20 World Cup earned him a senior team call-up and a £3.5m move to Frankfurt, for whom he scored a hat-trick on his league debut. Fond of practical jokes.
Marc JANKO
25.06.83
Salzburg
3 caps (0 goals)
Has developed into a fine attacking all-rounder under Giovanni Trapattoni at Salzburg following a long-term injury. An internet nut.
Vaclav SVERKOS
1.11.83
Banik Ostrava
1 caps (0 goals)
The top Czech league scorer hopes to be part of the team. Has also played for Borussia Moenchengladbach, Hertha Berlin and Austria Vienna.
Roland LINZ
09.08.81
Sporting Braga (Por)
30 caps (5 goals)
The hard-working ex-Austria Wien man has proved his ability with Portugal’s Boavista and Sporting Braga when many expected him to fail abroad because of a lack of physical strength.
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