Czechs consider fresh challenge

By Ladislav Josef

The Czech Republic hope to build on their proud record in youth football as the Netherlands, Germany and Croatia form the opposition in UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round Group 2.

Four from five
Josef Pesice's side have reached four of the last five final tournaments at U18 and U19 level, but missed out a year ago and will be eager to erase memories of that disappointment. Pesice is aware how difficult that will be, however, saying: "The Netherlands, Germany and Croatia all have very strong senior squads and a lot of gifted young players."

Warm-up wins
The Czechs finished fourth in 2000 and 2003 and made the 2001 final only to lose to Poland, but have warmed up for this season's competition in fine style. Having been granted a bye to the Elite round, Pesice's players emerged victorious in two friendly internationals in Portugal and drew 1-1 with England in Norwich in front of 20,000 spectators.

Top-flight chances
Pesice has several experienced league players at his disposal, including FC Baník Ostrava striker Petr Tomašák, who scored three goals in four games after being promoted from the club's reserve team. Michal Švec is a regular in the SK Slavia Praha midfield, as is František Rajtoral at FK Marila Príbram.

Potential problems
Nevertheless, Pesice is worried a lack of match sharpness may prove costly, saying: "The players need games. It's better for them to play in junior competitions than to sit on the bench for their clubs." He has also had to deal with indiscipline as the Czechs had four players dismissed in seeing off Denmark, Norway and Republic of Ireland to win a tournament in La Manga. "We have sorted out this problem - some of our livelier characteres even had to leave the squad," said Pesice.

Unbeaten qualification
Germany advanced to the finals in Switzerland a year ago, and will seek to book a berth in this year's tournament in Northern Ireland. Uli Stielike's charges were unbeaten in finishing second in qualifying round Group 3 behind Serbia and Montenegro, with defender Sascha Dum and midfielder Marc-André Kruska the key figures.

'Team in shape'
"We have to get to the Czech Republic with our best team and in our best shape if we want to have a chance to book our ticket for the finals," said Stielike. "I expect Kruska to inspire the side. Dum is important for us with his speed and defensive strength."

Scoring success
The Netherlands, meanwhile, scored eleven goals in three outings to win Group 7 in the qualifying round but will be without a number of players who have been promoted to the U20 squad ahead of the FIFA World Youth Championship in the country later this year. "The U20s are a World Cup side, who are favoured above us," said coach Cor Pot. "But I do not have a problem with that, and in return we got Feyenoord defender Gianni Zuiverloon, while striker Tim Janssen is fit again, so we have certainly got stronger in two positions."

Croatian chance
Croatia were runners-up in Group 10 in the first round but coach Ivan Grnja expects a stern test in the Czech Republic. However, with some clubs reluctant to release players for the squad's preparations, warm-up results have been mixed. Hungary were defeated 4-2 at home but gained revenge against Croatia with a 4-1 victory on home soil, before two friendlies against Sweden in Croatia ended in a 2-1 loss and 2-2 draw.

Additional reporting by Andreas Alf, Berend Scholten and Elvir Islamovic