The Czech Republic are facing a minor selection headache before taking on minnows Latvia in their opening Group D game of Euro 2004.
Assistant coach Josef Casaplar has confirmed that both Valdimir Smicer and Milan Baros are in contention to start alongside the robust Jan Koller.
Although Baros seems to be on form at the moment, scoring three goals in his previous two friendlies, Casaplar believes that the optimum approach is to take each game as it comes.
“Our decision will depend on the opponent, it will not be the same when we play against Latvia as it will be when we face Holland,” said Casaplar.
“Koller is Koller and will play for sure, we will make changes in the starting line up, mainly because of the number of forwards.”
“That means when we play two forwards there will be a question about whether it will be Smicer or Baros.”
Smicer has been in the news for other reasons this week, with the Czechs striker liunked with a move back to Lens, whom he left to join Liverpool in 1999. However Pavel Paska, the player’s agent has resolutely denied the reports, dismissing them as fallacious.
“Lens are not a football club that are able to sign a player like Valdimir these days: I mean, they do not have enough money to pay him,” said Paska.
“Smicer has a contract at Liverpool and I think he will honor it.”