Head coach Ivan Hašek will be carrying a promising Czech Republic squad to Euro 2024 carrying members of their star run to the quarterfinals last time. The 1976 winners, then Czechoslovakia, want to make more than just numbers in Germany but will face a tricky group containing Turkey, Georgia and Portugal. The Czech Republic will begin their journey in the competition against the 2016 champions in a tough match at Leipzig on 19th June 2024.
History
The Czech Republic, jointly with Slovakia back then, participated in the inaugural Euro Championship in 1960 where they came third. After a gap of 16 years, the side managed to return to the competition but with style. Participated by four sides and the tournament known as the European Cup at that time, the class of 1976 won the title by beating West Germany on penalties in the final. After a third-place finish four years later, Czech Republic’s next big achievement came as an independent nation in 1996. The side reached the final at Wembley but was defeated by Germany this time. Captain Pavel Nedvěd used his experience of that edition to lead his team to another memorable run in the 2004 tournament hosted by Portugal. The Czech Republic reached the semi-finals where they lost against eventual winners Greece.
Czech Republic squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Jindřich Staněk (Slavia Prague), Matěj Kovář (Bayer Leverkusen) Vítězslav Jaroš (Sturm Graz)
Defenders: David Zima (Slavia Prague), Tomáš Holeš (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejčí (Slavia Prague),Vladimír Coufal (West Ham), Martin Vitík (Sparta Prague), David Jurásek (Hoffenheim, on loan from Benfica), Tomáš Vlček (Slavia Prague), David Douděra (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranáč (Viktoria Plzeň)
Midfielders: Antonín Barák (Fiorentina), Michal Sadílek (FC Twente), Pavel Šulc (Viktoria Plzeň), Matěj Jurásek (Slavia Prague), Lukáš Provod (Slavia Prague), Ondřej Lingr (Feyenoord), Tomáš Souček (West Ham), Lukáš Červ (Viktoria Plzen)
Forwards: Adam Hložek (Bayer Leverkusen), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), Mojmír Chytil (Slavia Prague), Tomáš Chorý (Viktoria Plzeň), Václav Černý (Wolfsburg), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague)
Captain: Tomáš Souček
Manager: Ivan Hašek
The strength of the side is the number of players with Bundesliga experience. Three of them namely Adam Hložek, Patrik Schick and Matěj Kovář won the league title with Bayer Leverkusen this past season. Whereas, Antonín Barák, Vladimír Coufal and captain Tomáš Souček have continental competition experience which will be handy. Viktoria Plzen midfielder Lukas Cerv is a new name on the squad list. Kovář, Martin Vitík, Robin Hranáč, Tomáš Vlček, Pavel Šulc and Matěj Jurásek have been called up with one cap each. The majority of the players in the team come from Slavia Prague with 11 in total.
Czech Republic Fixtures for Euro 2024
Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Portugal vs Czech Republic - Red Bull Arena, Leipzig (00:30)
Friday, 21 June 2024
Georgia vs Czech Republic - Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (18:30)
Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Czech Republic vs Turkey - Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (00:30)
Are you ready to support your team, Check out here Where to watch Euro 2024 in India
