Czechs call on qualifying spirit

Soundly beaten by Russia in their opening Group A game, the Czech Republic are unbowed and determined Greece will not end their EURO dream just as they did eight years ago. 

 

When the Russian supporters started to make Mexican waves in the Municipal Stadium Wroclaw, things went smoothly until they reached the sectors packed with Czech fans, who did not stand up and slowed the flow for a while without being able to stop it.

It was an appropriate metaphor for what was happening on the pitch. The Czech Republic side faced wave upon wave of attack, cleverly constructed in single touches by the nimble feet of Alan Dzagoev, Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Andrey Arshavin. Just like their supporters, there was no way for Michal Bílek's men to stem the tide.

"We made mistakes which the Russians took advantage of," said captain Tomáš Rosický. "They were waiting for us and then had these deadly counterattacks that we couldn't cope with. We knew that we weren't playing badly, but that we were making big errors, which we continued to make in the second half, even though we managed to get some sort of foothold in the game. Until the third goal, I thought we were going to equalise because we had more possession."

 

 

Tomáš Rosický believes the Czech Republic can bounce back

Pre-match, Bílek had hesitated about the make-up of his defence. Michal Kadlec played in recent qualifiers as a central defender, but against Russia he reverted to left-back with Roman Hubník in the middle. While Hubník had his hands full with Kerzhakov and Arshavin, Kadlec was caught out by Dzagoev's fleet of foot. "We wanted to stop their passing in midfield as both wingers had effective runs into this space. That's why we used Kadlec at left-back to reinforce the defence. It did not work," Bílek conceded.

 

Perhaps all hope is not lost, however. The Czechs also started qualifying with a demoralising defeat, at home to Lithuania. But they lifted their heads and, under pressure, performed well. Now they will have to do the same to keep their chances of qualification from Group A alive.
"We have already experienced something like this during qualifying, so we know what awaits us and the team has already shown during the qualifiers that it's capable of responding accordingly," Rosický told me. "I'm expecting the same thing now. In the past, we have managed to shake off heavy defeats and lift our heads again."

Rosický and Petr Čech were there when Traianos Dellas's silver goal shattered Czech dreams of winning UEFA EURO 2004 in the semi-finals. After eight years, they will undergo a Greek test again. Though at a different stage, one factor remains the same: no slip can be permitted.