Plaudits deserved, says Brückner

'The right way'
"They say that only results count in football, but I am convinced that no bronze medal could override the memory of our attractive play," said Brückner at today's final press conference in Sintra before the squad's return to Prague this evening.

Plaudits
Looking back on UEFA EURO 2004™, Brückner felt his team - like others in the tournament - had played the "right way" and had earned the plaudits they received prior to their elimination against Greece. "This is the right way and we showed we were ready to go in this direction," he said. "The Czech squad won wide admiration, the experts talked about a compact team and we have a firm foundation for the future."

Future bright
With seven members of the Czechs' 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship-winning side in his squad, the future certainly is bright. But the older players also played their part, not least captain Pavel Nedved whose withdrawal with a knee injury before half-time last night hurt the Czechs' prospects.

Nedved missed
"I won't say we would have won with him, but he was obviously getting forward whenever we stepped up the pressure," said Brückner. "His determination is well known and he usually plays much better in the second half of games."

Old guard
Another of the old guard, Karel Poborský, who took the armband in Nevded's absence, said: "He was the best player in Europe last year, which tells you everything." Zdenek Grygera added: "His huge moral strength would have helped us, especially in extra time."

Retirement question
Poborský himself kissed goodbye to the dream of winning his 100th international cap in the final. However, the 32-year-old may now not retire as he had suggested before the tournament. "Why not 100?" he asked today and, with a friendly against Greece planned for August, his celebration could also be an opportunity to exact revenge.