Czechs to call up reserves

The Czech Republic have promised not to ease up against Germany tomorrow, despite the expectation that they will field a largely reserve side.

'Hungry'
The Czechs have qualified already for the last eight but Germany need three points to be certain of progressing at the expense of the Netherlands, who face Latvia in the night's other Group D match. Czech assistant coach Miroslav Beránek tried to allay Dutch fears by stressing his players would be "hungry" to secure a third successive win at UEFA EURO 2004™.

Third victory
"We want to finish the group with a third victory in a row," Beránek said. "Our substitutes are hungry to finally get a game so they can prove themselves." If they are to advance with maximum points, however, the Czechs will have to do so with an almost completely different team.

Midfield changes
In midfield, Roman Týce is set to replace Tomás Galásek as the anchorman as coach Karel Brückner is reluctant to risk him following his booking in Saturday's game against the Netherlands. Vladimír Smicer and Stepán Vachousek should replace Pavel Nedved and Tomás Rosický while on the right flank, Jaroslav Plašil will replace Karel Poborský.

Heinz rewarded
In attack, too, there will be changes. Marek Heinz, a scoring substitute against Latvia, will likely partner the tall Vratislav Lokvenc, meaning a rest for Milan Baroš and Jan Koller. Brückner will, however, look to fine-tune a defence that has conceded three goals in two games.

Bolf to return
After missing the Dutch game with a fever, René Bolf will return in central defence, while Martin Jiránek will switch to right-back, replacing Zdenek Grygera. Second-choice goalkeeper Jaromír Bazek is also expected to start. Brückner was due to comment on his likely selection this afternoon ahead of the squad's training session in Sintra.