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World Cup puts Czechs on song

Czech Republic coach Karel Brückner is reflecting on the "pinnacle of his career" after leading his side to the FIFA World Cup finals last night.

Today is a bank holiday in the Czech Republic, as Czechs remember the Velvet Revolution of 1989 and the end of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia. After Karel Brückner's side reached the finals of the FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win in the second leg of their play-off against Norway last night, there is another reason to celebrate.

Brückner overjoyed
With the nation having waited 16 years to secure their first participation on the world stage, coach Karel Brückner - not usually one for hyperbole - was in ecstatic mood. "It's the pinnacle of my career," he said. "It was play-off hell and we showed our character tonight. I'm proud of how we played."

Huge battle
Tomáš Rosický scored the only goal in Prague as the Czechs managed to build on the 1-0 win they secured in the first leg in Norway, but Brückner was adamant that Åge Hareide's side had not come to Prague half beaten. "They were fighting for every inch of the pitch and troubled us like they did on Saturday and maybe even more," Brückner said.

Rosický withdrawn
Meanwhile, the goalscorer himself was forced to celebrate the victory from the sidelines, along with his injured BV Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jan Koller - who scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign - after he was substituted due to the pain of a sprained ankle sustained in the first leg.

Standing ovation
"I kept it under control for an hour, but then I could not go on," said Rosický, who joined Koller on the field to take a standing ovation with the rest of the team at the end of the match. "It's a great feeling which I have had only once in this stadium when we beat the Netherlands two years ago to ensure our place at EURO 2004™."

Magnificent Čech
However, Rosický was not the only hero of the night. Chelsea FC goalkeeper Petr Čech also played a starring role, making a number of fine saves. "We had our chances to turn the game around in the second half but the outstanding goalkeeper Čech did not allow it," said Hareide, who added that he wished the Czechs well in the finals next summer.

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