Stam seeks double celebration

By Iain Spragg

Jaap Stam is hoping to make it a double celebration when S.S. Lazio entertain AC Sparta Praha in Rome on Wednesday night in UEFA Champions League Group G. The defender's wife, Ellis, gave birth to twin boys on Friday and Stam now aims to mark the happy event with three points against the Czechs at the Stadio Olimpico.

Double trouble
The Dutch international missed Lazio's 2-2 Serie A draw with Empoli FC at the weekend following the arrival of the twins, but is ready to return to Roberto Mancini's starting lineup on Wednesday. The former Manchester United FC star said he would love to celebrate the new additions to his family in style.

Football focus
"I've been on cloud nine since the birth of the twins and I'm delighted to say mother and the babies are all doing well," Stam told uefa.com. "It is an incredible feeling but I know I've got a job to do for Lazio now and hopefully we can get a good result against Sparta, which would be the perfect ending to a brilliant few days for me.

Family priorities
"Although the boys were born on Friday, I'd missed training during the week and the manager and I agreed it would be better if I was on the bench on Sunday for the Empoli match," he added. "It's hard to come into the team when you haven't been involved with the squad for a few days but I'm definitely ready - mentally and physically - for Wednesday."

Turkish delight
The Roman giants will be looking to build on their impressive 2-0 Group G victory over Besiktas JK in Istanbul a fortnight ago while coach Jirí Kotrba's knows Sparta need points on the board after going down 1-0 at home against Chelsea FC on Matchday 1. While Stam acknowledges that Lazio will start the match as favourites, he insists that he has learnt from experience never to underestimate the challenge posed by Czech sides.

Close shave
"Of course we hope to take all three points, especially because we are the home side, but I do not expect it to be easy at all," the 31-year-old said. "Sparta were unlucky to lose to Chelsea in Prague and that tells you a lot about their own quality. Czech football is very strong and we must not for a second believe Wednesday will be a formality."

Familiar face
Sparta, who warmed up for the game in Rome with a confidence-boosting 4-0 away win at FK Chmel Blšany at the weekend, will also have the advantage of insider information on Lazio in the shape of Karel Poborský, who played for the Biancocelesti from January 2001 until July last year.

Roman spy
Stam readily reveals he is an admirer of the Czech international and believes Poborský will have briefed his Sparta team-mates about Lazio. "Karel is a very experienced player who can make things happen and I have a lot of respect for his talent," Stam said. "He also knows a lot about us after his spell in Rome and that kind of information can often prove to be valuable. He will have told them all about the atmosphere inside the Stadio Olimpico and what to expect from us tactically.

Strong foundations
"But we will still be confident," he added. "Our win in Turkey has put us in a strong position in the group and we now have to build on that on Wednesday. Qualifying is all about momentum and two wins out of two would keep that momentum going."