Czech Republic

The Czech Republic have never won the World Cup, however under the name Czechoslovakia they have reached two World Cup finals, which they lost having led in both.

They were placed in a tough qualifying group and finished second to Holland but qualified with two 1-0 victories over Norway in the play-offs.

Czech Republic World Cup profile continues below

The Czech Republic manager, Karel Bruckner, used to be the U21 manager so he knows many of the players who have come up through the youth system. Despite having not qualified for a World Cup since 1990, the Czech Republic are ranked second in the World and should aim high after reaching the semi-finals in Euro 2004.

The Czech Republic were arguably the team which played the most attractive football there, and despite losing in the semis, they managed to beat Holland and Germany.

They have some excellent attacking players in Koller, Nedved, Rosicky, Baros and Poborsky, and they got off to a good start with a 3-0 victory over the USA.

The second game was a different story with the Czech Republic going down 2-0 to Ghana and it could have been worse except for some great saves from goalkeeper Petr Cech.

After a 2-0 defeat by Italy, Czech Republic were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup.

Czech Squad:

Player Club Position Caps Goals
J Blazek Sparta Prague G 10 0
P Cech Chelsea G 40 0
A Kinsky Saturn G 5 0
Z Grygera Ajax D 39 1
M Jiranek Spartak Moscow D 22 0
P Mares Zenit St P'burg D 8 0
D Rozehnal Paris St-G. D 20 0
T Ujfalusi Fiorentina D 47 2
T Galasek Ajax M 49 1
M Jankulovski Milan M 46 8
D Jarolim SV Hamburg M 2 0
R Kovac Sparta Prague M 5 0
P Nedved Juventus M 86 17
K Poborsky C. Budejovice M 113 8
J Polak Nuremberg M 16 5
T Rosicky Arsenal M 54 15
L Sionko Rangers M 18 1
M Baros Aston Villa F 47 27
M Heinz Galatasaray F 26 5
J Koller B. Dortmund F 66 40
V Lokvenc SV Salzburg F 70 13
J Plasil Monaco F 12 1
J Stajner Sparta Prague F 19 3

Czech Republic World Cup profile by Ben Rosenbaum