Patient Gerčák dealt winning hand
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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Surprise selection Libor Gerčák saved three penalties in the Czech Republic's quarter-final shoot-out defeat of Italy and as he prepares to face Spain told uefa.com of his spot-kick prowess: "It's mainly luck."
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Libor Gerčák went to the 2007 UEFA European Futsal Championship as first-choice Czech Republic goalkeeper, only to be injured out of the Porto finals in the opening 8-4 defeat by Romania. On Monday he returned as the surprise selection in the 2010 quarter-final with Italy, and ended up saving three times in his side's victorious penalty shoot-out.
Selection
Tomáš Meller had started both the Czech Republic's group games in Hungary but coach Tomás Neumann gave Gerčák the nod in a tie his side were expected by many to lose. The 34-year-old worked hard to ensure it was 3-3 after 40 minutes then stopped Italy's first three penalties as his side went on to win the shoot-out 3-1 and earn a semi-final on Thursday against Spain, the best Czech run since 2003.
Luck
"I was lucky, which as a goalkeeper you need," Gerčák told uefa.com. "I was at the 2007 finals in Portugal, and was injured in the first game. Now I am happy I was able to play." And even happier about the penalty saves. "It's not my speciality, it's a lot about luck," he added. "But I also play football and in that I am quite good at saving penalties, but it's mainly luck."
'No envy'
Being a second-string keeper can be a frustrating experience, but Gerčák had no problems with being Meller's understudy. "There was no envy," the Nejzbach Vysoké Mýto keeper said. "Tomáš was in better form during recent games. But we are one team, so there was no problem. I am happy to be in the squad and have been for three years, that is what is really important to me. I got the chance and had to prove I deserved the chance."
Spirit
It has been a rollercoaster campaign for the Czechs, who needed two last-minute goals to beat Croatia to qualify, lost their opening finals game 6-1 to Azerbaijan then recovered from 4-0 down to beat Hungary 6-5 and progress from the group stage. The Czech players put that down to the squad's tightknit nature. "We all get on really well," said Gerčák. "We are a team, no one plays for himself. I enjoyed it when I was able to play, but also enjoyed it when Tomáš was in goal." And now for defending champions Spain. "Of course it is a great opportunity to play them and we are looking forward to it."
