Czechs come good in Munich

David Rozehnal said "qualifying is nice but the way we did it is even better" after the Czech Republic won 3-0 in Germany to book a place at UEFA EURO 2008™.

Stylish finish
The defender was part of an under-strength side that punched well above its weight in Munich, with goals from Libor Sionko, Marek Matějovský and Jaroslav Plašil securing the Group D victory that takes them to Austria and Switzerland next summer. "Qualifying is nice but the way we did it is even better," said 27-year-old Newcastle United FC centre-back Rozehnal.

Perfect response
The Czech Republic and their coach Karel Brückner had received criticism at home for some off-colour qualifying performances, but despite a rash of injuries and suspensions, they gave a sterling response to their detractors with Wednesday's winning display. "We had to improvise but the whole side worked well and I feel great satisfaction," said Brückner.

Unheralded stars
Among the unheralded stars of the show were FK Mladá Boleslav midfielder Matějovský, who deputised brilliantly for injured Arsenal FC playmaker Tomáš Rosický, and AC Sparta Praha left-back Zdeněk Pospěch, who stood in for AC Milan's suspended Marek Jankulovski. SK Slavia Praha midfielder Daniel Pudil was another revelation on only his second international appearance.

'Great teamwork'
Watching from the stands, captain Rosický could only applaud. "It was great teamwork," he said. "We returned to the style we succeeded with in the past." Rozehnal, meanwhile, felt the squad's training camp in the Tirol region of Austria had helped them be at their best against already-qualified opponents. "It helped us, definitely," he said. "We came to Munich well rested, in a great mood and ready for Germany."