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Czech striker Svěrkoš has warning for hosts

Czech Republic striker Václav Svěrkoš was their hero against co-hosts Switzerland four years ago and as they prepare to face Poland this time he gives UEFA.com an insight into that challenge.

Czech striker Svěrkoš has warning for hosts
Czech striker Svěrkoš has warning for hosts ©UEFA.com

Ukraine and Poland will have home support when they kick off at UEFA EURO 2012, and facing a host nation at a major international tournament can prove a daunting prospect. Pressure, however, can also weigh heavily on the hosts to perform in front of their own fans; something the Czech Republic discovered when they faced UEFA EURO 2008 co-hosts Switzerland in Basle to open the finals four years ago.

Václav Svěrkoš came off the bench to break Swiss hearts that day by scoring the only goal, and the much-travelled striker dispensed some tactical wisdom as his successors prepare to face UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts Poland in their last Group A game in on 16 June in Wroclaw, where the Czech Republic will have already met Russia and Greece. "It is very important to prevent the host team from exerting pressure, and when the pressure is high, it's important to break the game up," Svěrkoš told UEFA.com.

To see the full interview, click on the video above.

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