Rosický eager to make amends

Czech Republic midfield player Tomáš Rosický is looking ahead to EURO 2004™ qualification after the disappointment of missing out on the FIFA World Cup.

Huge impact
The 21-year-old has made a huge impact in his first 12 months at BV Borussia Dortmund since a big-money move in January 2001 from AC Sparta Praha, but his joy was tempered by his country’s failure to make it to Korea/Japan.

No title joy
"This year has not been as successful as it looks for me," said Rosický. "We did not progress to the 2002 World Cup, I did not win a [1.] Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund and we dropped out of the [UEFA] Champions League."

Surprise defeat
Rosický and his team-mates missed out on the World Cup after going down to a surprise 2-0 aggregate defeat against the Belgians in a two-legged play-off. "I am happy with my new life in Germany, I found new friends in Dortmund, and we are playing some good football now," he added. "I was very disappointed after we did not make it to the World Cup though and I hope that I will never experience the feeling I had after that game against Belgium any more." 
 
Hopes for success
The EURO 2004™ draw takes place in Porto on 25 January and Rosický is determined to help the Czechs avoid any more qualification misery.  "My next aim is for the [UEFA] European Championships in 2004 in Portugal and I believe that the Czech team will not miss out there. Our new coach Karel Bruckner is an experienced man and I hope that we will have much success with him."