A former Czech Republic Under-21 captain, Marek Suchý also excelled in national colours at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. A reliable centre-back, he now gets his chance to shine on the big stage of UEFA EURO 2012 having earned his place in the squad with some fine displays for FC Spartak Moskva.

• Born in Prague, he joined SK Slavia Praha at an early age and was a regular first-team player before his 18th birthday, making his European debut in a 2005/06 UEFA Champions League qualifier against RSC Anderlecht and starting eight UEFA Cup games that season.

• Ended his second campaign with Slavia by playing a leading role for his country at the U-20 World Cup in Canada, starting all seven matches as the Czech Republic finished runners-up to Argentina.

• Won back-to-back Czech 1. Liga titles with Slavia in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and was an ever-present in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage.

• Left for Spartak on loan in early 2010 with over 100 1. Liga appearances under his belt and adapted well to life in the Russian capital, making a further six outings in the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League group stage and helping Spartak claim the runners-up spot in a marathon, transitional 2011/12 Premier-Liga campaign.

• Started all five games for the Czech Republic at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark having won his first senior cap eight months earlier in a EURO qualifier at home to Scotland; helped the Czech senior side to clean sheets in each of his first three internationals.