Brückner bombshell for Czech Republic

Last hurrah
The 68-year-old has been in charge since 2002, leading the country to successive UEFA European Championship finals as well as to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, he revealed that this summer's tournament will be his last after calling up Jan Laštůvka and Marek Střeštík in place of the injured Petr Čech and Tomáš Rosický for the Denmark game.

Replacements
Brückner said that 1. FC Brno midfielder Střeštík "suits an attacking role on the left". The 21-year-old is nominated in the absence of Arsenal FC playmaker Rosický, who has been out since January with a knee problem. VfL Bochum 1848 goalkeeper Laštůvka, 25, also gets a chance with Chelsea FC's Čech recovering from a sprained ankle. Deputy keeper Jaromír Blažek is out of favour at 1. FC Nürnberg while RSC Anderlecht's Daniel Zítka – capped against Cyprus in November – has a groin injury so Laštůvka receives a first call-up.

Next tests
Defender Radoslav Kováč also misses out after surgery for a knee injury sustained in FC Spartak Moskva's Russian season opener, although fit-again Marek Jankulovski from AC Milan swells the defensive ranks. The Czech Republic play Denmark in Harning on Wednesday and have also arranged pre-EURO friendlies against Lithuania and Belgium. Brückner's replacement will start his tenure against England at Wembley on 20 August.

Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Jaromír Blažek (1. FC Nürnberg), Jan Laštůvka (VfL Bochum 1848).

Defenders: Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), David Rozehnal (SS Lazio), Tomáš Ujfaluši (ACF Fiorentina), Zdeněk Pospěch (FC København), Zdeněk Grygera (Juventus), Michal Kadlec (AC Sparta Praha).

Midfielders: Tomáš Galásek (1. FC Nürnberg), David Jarolím (Hamburger SV), Jaroslav Plašil (CA Osasuna), Jan Polák (RSC Anderlecht), Marek Matějovský (Reading FC), Libor Sionko (FC København), Marek Střeštík (1. FC Brno).

Forwards: Jan Koller (1. FC Nürnberg), Milan Baroš (Portsmouth FC), Martin Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt).