With only 3 days to go, join me as I give you previews of each team taking part in Euro 2012 and include my tournament predictions for each team. We start with the Czech Republic in Group A!
CZECH REPUBLIC
WORLD RANKING: 26
Team Captain: Tomas Rosicky
BEST EURO RESULT: Winners (1976)
THE LOWDOWN:
The Czech's limp into this tournament after beating Montenegro in the qualifying round playoff, but losing to Hungary in their final warm-up match on Friday. The 1976 European champions have struggled in international tournaments of late, particularly since the retirements of Pavel Nedved, Jan Koller and Karel Poborsky. Despite having arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Petr Cech, and veteran stars of yester year in Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky, the Czech's lack international level talent to compete with the heavyweights in European soccer.
The most pressing concern for the Czech's will be in the attacking third of the pitch, as their leading play maker Tomas Rosicky will start the tournament with a nagging calf injury. To add their offensive woes, the strikers in the Czech stable (Milan Baros, Tomas Necid, and Tomas Pekhart) are unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenders.
The most pressing concern for the Czech's will be in the attacking third of the pitch, as their leading play maker Tomas Rosicky will start the tournament with a nagging calf injury. To add their offensive woes, the strikers in the Czech stable (Milan Baros, Tomas Necid, and Tomas Pekhart) are unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenders.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Tomas Rosicky
After the 2006 World Cup it seemed as Tomas Rosicky was ready to set the football world on fire. Prior the tournament in Germany, Rosicky had transferred to English giants Arsenal FC and during it, as he almost single handedly demolished the United States in a group stage match. Little Mozart, as he was called in his homeland, had arrived on the global stage.
Unfortunately, the expectation of Rosicky being "The Next Pavel Nedved" has not panned out for Arsenal or the Czech national team due to a long list of injuries over the last 6 years. The multiple trips to the team doctor's office have affected the midfielder's quickness and shooting power significantly. This tournament may be the last chance for the 31 year old Rosicky to make an impact on the international stage. If the Czech's have any chance of getting out of this weak group, they will need Rosicky at the top of his game providing useful passes to Milan Baros and the other Czech strikers.
After the 2006 World Cup it seemed as Tomas Rosicky was ready to set the football world on fire. Prior the tournament in Germany, Rosicky had transferred to English giants Arsenal FC and during it, as he almost single handedly demolished the United States in a group stage match. Little Mozart, as he was called in his homeland, had arrived on the global stage.
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| Who can replace Pavel Nedved in the Czech midfield? |
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| Can Baros reclaim his Euro 2004 form? |
PREDICTION: 3rd in Group A (Eliminated at Group Stage).
Up Next: Greece
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