No surprises in Czech squad

Czech Republic coach Karel Brückner has named a familiar 21-man squad for the country's first EURO 2004™ Group 3 qualifiers against Moldova and Belarus.

Trio return
Jan Simák, Štepán, Vachoušek and Marek Jankulovski are all back in the squad after missing last month's 5-0 friendly win against Yugoslavia. However, Bruckner has problems on the left side of midfield, with Milan Baroš and captain Pavel Nedved suspended for the game against Moldova, Vladimír Šmicer suffering a broken toe, Libor Sionko also injured and Václav Koloušek out of match practice at Italian club Salernitana Sport.

'He is strong enough'
However, Simák is expected to fill in despite being out of favour at new club Bayer 04 Leverkusen. "He is strong enough to overcome having to sit on the bench, which is not due any poor form, but his criticism in the press," said Brückner.

Vachoušek chance
Meanwhile, Stepán Vachoušek, one of six members of the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship-winning side in the squad, is expected to replace Baroš, having starred in SK Slavia Praha's 5-1 UEFA Cup victory against Belgium's R. Excelsior Mouscron.
 
Defeated opponents
Moldova, who the Czech Republic visit on 12 October, lost their opening qualifier 2-0 to Austria, while Belarus, who come to Teplice four days later, were defeated 3-0 by the Netherlands.

Czech Republic squad:
Cech, Cerny, Kinský, Bolf, Grygera, Hübschman, Jankulovski, Jiránek, Johana, Ujfaluši, Galásek, Jarošík, Poborský, Nedved, Rosický, Simák, Baroš, Koller, Lokvenc, Štajner, Vachoušek.