Czech Republic
THE MANAGER...The Czechs will be led to Switzerland and Austria by 68-year-old Karel Bruckner, one of the real characters of international management. Bruckner, has been in charge of the national side since 2001 and will be retiring at the end of Euro 2008. Bruckner built up the Czech Under 21 team that went on to victory in the 2002 Under 21 European Championships in Switzerland and was then given the job of leading the country to Euro 2004, where they lost out to eventual winners Greece in the semi-finals.
QUALIFYING STAGES...
The Czech Republic qualified for Euro 2008 by coming out on top of a group that consisted of Germany, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Wales, Cyprus and San Marino.
Here is how the Group D qualifying table finished up...
| Czech Republic | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 5 | 29 |
| Germany | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 7 | 27 |
| Republic of Ireland | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 14 | 17 |
| Slovakia | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 33 | 23 | 16 |
| Wales | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 19 | 15 |
| Cyprus | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 24 | 14 |
| San Marino | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 57 | 0 |
THEIR GROUP...
The Czechs have been drawn in Group A alongside Portugal, hosts Switzerland and Turkey.
PLAYERS TO WATCH...
Marek Jankulovski... Left back Jankulovski has been a fixture in the AC Milan squad since joining from Udinese in 2005. The marauding style of this defender gives the Czechs good width and he has been known to unleash a vicious strike at goal in the past.Jan Koller... Striker Koller, pictured, seems to have been around for years but still manages to get in amongst the goals. The 35-year-old has a great scoring record with 50 goals from his 80 international caps. Koller is undoubtedly coming to the end of his career, but will still prove a danger to every team he comes up against.
THE KIT...The Czech Republic play in kit made by Puma.
Their home kit consists of red top with blue collar, white shorts and blue socks with white piping. The away kit is a white top with red collar, white shorts with red piping and white socks with red piping.
Buy the Czech Republic home and away strip here...
THEIR CHANCES...
The Czechs on their day can be an exciting, fast-flowing side who play some great football and entertain. Having had a great qualifying campaign and a decent draw this really could be their chance to shine and give boss Karel Bruckner a great send off as he heads into retirement.
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