Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner has named his 23-man World Cup squad.
Jan Koller, who was a major fitness doubt for the finals, has been included by Bruckner. Koller, together with Vratislav Lokvenc, Vladimir Smicer, Karel Poborsky and Zdenek Grygera, had been doubts for the 23-man party, but alll five have made the cut.
“This squad was created for Euro 2004 in Portugal, with the 2006 World Cup in mind,” said coach Karel Bruckner.
“Koller has showed a big improvement in his health, I have no doubt about his participation.
“Regarding Smicer, the doctors are giving fairly high gaurantees that he will by okay. If that is not the case, Libor Sionko of Austria Vienna or Rudolf Skacel of Hearts will be ready.”
Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Antonin Kinsky (Saturn Ramenskoye)
Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Ajax Amsterdam), Marek Jankulovski (Milan), Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow), Pavel Mares (Zenit St Petersburg), David Rozehnal (Paris St Germain), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina)
Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax Amsterdam), David Jarolim (Hamburg SV), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Jaroslav Plasil (Monaco), Karel Poborsky (Ceske Budejovice), Jan Polak (Nuremberg), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Vladimir Smicer (Bordeaux)
Forwards: Milan Baros (Aston Villa), Marek Heinz (Galatasaray), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund), Vratislav Lokvenc (Red Bull Salzburg), Jiri Stajner (Hanover 96).
