Czech Republic Euro 2016 Preview

Overview

One of Central Europe’s most consistent nations, Czech Republic are well adapted and experienced with a degree of talent that has upset some of Europe’s top teams in years gone by. The Czech’s grasped qualification as group winners with confident victories against The Netherlands, as well as both Iceland and Turkey, and whilst this isn’t the strongest ever Czech team, they’re certainly a more improved outfit since coach Pavel Vrba took over in 2014.

Czech Republic’s versatility could be the difference in the big games, they’re an interesting team to watch that possess the ability to utilise the flanks and play with a level of fluidity that could unsettle the oppositions defensive procedures. They’ll need to tighten up at the back though, they were the only team to qualify without keeping a clean sheet.

EURO History



Since the demise of Czechoslovakia in 1992, the Czech Republic have consistently been able to qualify for every single European Championships. Their most successful campaign came about in 1996 where they finished as runners-up, losing out to an Oliver Bierhoff goal. That was arguably one of Czech Republic’s brightest array of talents with the likes of Pavel Nedvěd, Karel Poborský and Patrik Berger all featuring.

They’ve since shown impressive performances by reaching the semi-finals in 2004 and the Quarter finals last time around in 2012.

Key Players

The Czech Republic’s strengths lie with a number of their experienced players, many with an abundance of playing time in Europe’s top leagues.

Petr Cech – Goalkeeper



The Arsenal goalkeeper remains one of the best goalkeepers on the European stage and he has shown his quality ever since he joined the Premier League with Chelsea. His plethora of experience within his career will be crucial for the rest of the team as the Czech’s haven’t been handed an easy group to battle out of. He also looks set to surpass Karel Poborský’s record as the highest capped Czech player of all-time.

Tomáš Rosický – Midfielder



Another Arsenal star with considerable experience despite having a rather troublesome international career in some ways. Rosický has the ability to be a game-changer for Vrba’s side if he can fight back from his recent injury proneness. If he is fit, he will command the team from his midfield position and pull the strings that can propel the team forward. Will certainly be a big miss if he doesn’t recover in time.

Bořek Dočkal – Midfielder



One of Sparta Prague’s best performers this season which saw them impressively reach the Quarter Finals of the Europa League. Dočkal is an extremely reliable asset to the Czech’s, he can become acquainted in a number of midfield roles which he has adapted both domestically and internationally. He finished the Qualifying campaign as top goalscorer for the Czech’s and he bagged 5 assists during Sparta Prague’s Europa League campaign – well worth a look at for any potential Fantasy Football watchers.

Ones to watch

The Czech Republic come into the Euro’s with one of the oldest squads in the competition, a number of players will have a point to prove but this could well be the breakthrough tournament for one or two players on the team sheet.

Vladimír Darida – Midfielder



One of the best performers in the Bundesliga last season, could be considered slightly under-rated due to his excellent quality without the ball, he’s a player with an exceptional work ethic that will be pivotal for the Czech’s towards the end of the games as the older legs get tired. He’s already had Real Madrid sniffing around him and if he can build on his recent form, he could explode onto the scene this summer.

Pavel Kadeřábek – Defender



After a rather gloomy season trying to steer Hoffenheim clear from relegation in the Bundesliga, Kadeřábek can be seen as one of the bright sparks coming from that team, and his style fits in well with the Czech Republic. He’s been able to cement his position at right-back after starting his career as a winger and there’s a strong possibility that he could be on his way to the Premier League in the summer – a number of top-half teams will be keeping a very close eye on his display in France.

Manager

Pavel Vrba



The 52-year olds first major tournament as manager, successfully carried Czech Republic through qualification since he took over in 2014 after the Czech’s had gone through a rather despondent World Cup Qualifying campaign for Brazil. He’s seen as a cult hero in parts of the country after his emphatic journey as Viktoria Plzeň manager which saw him take the club from mid-table obscurity to title-winning champions, as well as a number of Champions’ League group stage tussles. Widely renowned for his vibrant attacking football mentality.

Verdict

Possibly one of the hardest teams to predict at this year’s tournament, it really could go either way for the Czech’s. A tough group against Croatia, Turkey and Spain may prove too much to handle, or they could easily turn a few heads with their impressive attacking display which may take Group D by storm. It’s a team with diverse quality and an attacking manager, the Czech’s have been in this situation before and they’ll be aiming to generate some consistency which the team has been criticised for lacking in recent years.