Galásek puts friendship aside

Familar faces
The 31-year-old AFC Ajax midfield player has lived in the lowland country since 1996, has plenty of friends there and may even make the Netherlands his home when he retires. He admits he will feel strange lining up against club-mates Rafael van der Vaart, John Heitinga and Wesley Sneijder, with whom he won the Eredivisie title in 2003/04.

'Special feelings'
"I will have really special feelings before the game as I will be up against guys with whom I have played for the whole season at Ajax," said Galásek. "However, there is no time to think about it on the pitch. I only hope for as good a result as we have had in previous games." Last September, a 3-1 Czech victory in qualifying consigned the Dutch to the play-offs.

Constant questions
Galásek has yet to speak to his Dutch Ajax team-mates in Portugal. "I have spoken to the Dutch media, though. They have constantly asked me about our lineup," he said. However, Galásek is staying tight-lipped, saying: "I only tell them this for sure. It's not important if we begin with one or two strikers. We are able to win with any lineup."

Revenge wanted
Galásek is confident that the Czechs' superior qualifying record will stand them in good stead. He said: "The Dutch have more respect for us now. They even consider us to be the favourites. However, we must prove to be better on the pitch. I am sure they are hungry for revenge.

Attacking danger
"They have admirable strength in attack as they always had. Ruud van Nistelrooij is extremely dangerous in front of goal and there are a couple of very gifted young players in midfield. Also the defence is better than before." However, Galásek also believed there were weak points in the Dutch lineup. "I think they lack a team spirit. There are many great players in their squad, however."

Family man
Galásek will be cheered on at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro by his wife Sylvia, while his daughter Denisa, nine, and son Tom, four, will be at home in Tilburg. "I call them twice a day," said the proud parent. "If we progress to the quarter-finals they will also come to Portugal. It's another reason to win on Saturday."

Dutch roots
Galásek is proud to live in the Netherlands, where he has a deal with Ajax until 2006. "I like the country very much, it's my second homeland. My children attend local schools and they speak Dutch fluently. I even have more friends than in the Czech Republic, particularly among players. The question of our future home is 50-50 now." There will, however, be no doubts where his loyalties lie this evening.