Czech team praised by fans

WARSAW, POLAND – JUNE 21: Dejected Petr Cech of Czech Republic after defeat in the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between Czech Republic and Portugal.

Prague, June 23 (IANS) The Czech football team returned home to a lukewarm welcome after losing to Portugal in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. Their performance in the tournament was praised by the local press.

Czech fans warmly appreciated the effort of the unknown players – Petr Jiracek, Vaclav Pilar and Theo Gebre Sellassie. In a poll by website Hattrick, the three were chosen as best players of the team by more than 20 percent of the thousand respondents. On the other hand, stars like Petr Cech, Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros more only four percent votes.

Majority of fans were surprised by the first place of the Czech team in the group stage, Xinhua reported. Before the decisive match against Poland, more people expected a loss than win. Czechs were betting against their team in Friday’s match against Portugal. Only one of six clients of country’s betting companies believed in side’s ability to beat Cristiano Ronaldo men.

But probably the greatest surprise for Czech supporters, who travelled to Wroclaw and Warsaw, was a very friendly welcome by the Polish people.