Euro 2012 Preview - Czech Republic

Tomas Rosicky of Czech Republic (C) runs during a Czech Republic training session prior to the UEFA EURO 2012 Group A opening game against Russia at the Municipal Stadium Wroclaw on June 7,

As other European nations charge forward in football’s new order, the Czech Republic have been emblazoned in a downward spiral that has seen them hurtle to as low as twenty seventh in the FIFA world rankings. Their golden age appears to have gone largely unrewarded, as the halcyon days of the mid 2000s came and went trophy-less. Still, Euro 2012 is an opportunity for the Czechs to get rid of the old, and usher in the new, alongside a series of now seasoned campaigners, and set out a stall for the new Czech Republic.

Group A looks likely to be a stodgy set of encounters, with defence outweighing attack, and with a severe lack of attacking flair, the Czech Republic do little to change this opinion. Basing their system around pure unbridled hard work is a necessity when you consider that, taking out Milan Baros (40 goals) and Tomas Rosicky (20), the rest of the squad have scored only 34 goals between them, and that their top goalscorer in qualifying was left-back Micheal Kadlec.

Manager – Michal Bilek – Bilek is a young international coach, at only 46, and has wandered a troubled road on his way to his nation’s top job, to which he was promoted from within the Czech ranks in 2009. Short stints at Viktoria Plzen and Sparta Prague (where Bilek enjoyed four periods as a player), and a successful tenure as Czech U19 coach were the prelude to his appointment, which can be seen as a promising one, straddling the bridge between the old guard and the future.

Key Man – Tomas Rosicky – The Arsenal man was the face of their renaissance last season as they overcame a horrendous start to finish third in the Barclays Premier League. The Czech midfielder turned his form around in 2012, and became one of the top performaers in the season run in. Bilek’s system will revolve around Rosicky’s creativity and vision, and he will hope his main man will be able to replicate some of that blistering Arsenal form. Milan Baros, a sometime figure of fun for Premiership supporters following his stints for Liverpool, Aston Villa and Portsmouth, will once again lead the Czech line, and will be keen to continue his incredible scoring record (41 goals in 88 games).

Fixtures – Russia, 8th June (Wroclaw), Greece, 12th June (Warsaw), Poland, 16th June (Wroclaw)

FIFA World Ranking – 27th (14th at Euro 2012)

Odds - 80-1

Verdict – Once a major force in European football, the 1996 runners-up will have seriously reduced their expectations on previous tournaments for 2012. Having been drawn in the weakest group, they have a significant chance of upsetting both Poland and Russia, and should defeat a Greek side struggling for goals. However, if all goes to plan, the Czechs will struggle to reach the knockout rounds of a competition they should see as an opportunity to grow as a side. Group stage knockouts.