Euro 2012 Expert View: Pavel Srnicek on the Czech Republic

The chances

Everyone thinks that Group A is the easiest one that the Czech Republic could have had. But I think that's somewhat deceptive because when you are involved in the group with the biggest teams, then your performances naturally improve as a result. However, I don't want to say Poland, Russia and Greece are not good teams, not at all. I expect all three games will be tough.

I don't think there is any big euphoria or unrealistic expectations among Czech fans. We haven't forgotten that the qualifying campaign wasn't easy. Even though the team succeeded in the play-off, the overall impression of the qualification wasn't the best one. That's why there is no great expectation.

But this is not something that could cause problems in this team. A look at history shows and confirms that role of outsiders suits the Czechs. Remember Euro 1996, when we went through the final? The pressure is smaller, you can relax more during the whole tournament, having prepared with more joy than if you were one of the favourites. I know what I am talking about as I have fresh experience of this from Sparta Prague, where I am currently goalkeeping
coach. So it's better for us that we're not going to the tournament as a group favourite.

The Manager

It will not be an easy competition for the Czech Republic. Coach Michal Bilek is still relatively young and inexperienced at this level. This is his
first big event and it hasn't been easy for him as many fans wanted him sacked and replaced by someone more experienced. But he handled the pressure and reached the finals. And he can benefit from it now.

When you're a national team coach, it brings a lot of pressure. One or two bad results can turn everything against you but he has got this far. It's helped that the players stood behind him. When you play for the national team, that should be your duty, but it's not always the case.

The squad

There was a lot of talk about the players picked for Euro 2012. I was disappointed he left out Ladislav Krejci; he may only be 19 but he is ambitious and I don't think there's a better Czech left midfielder out there. Many fans were surprised he left out Liberec's Jiri Stajner as he led Slovan to their title. I don't think it was bad decision. Football is getting faster and Stajner is 36, so who knows how he would have coped? I don't want to underestimate his performances this season but you can hardly compare the Czech league with international football.

The key men

In terms of key players, one of them without any doubt, is Petr Cech. He has been in very good form recently and if he was out injured out, it would be a huge loss for us. But I see this side as based more on team unity and spirit rather than individual performances. Obviously, if Tomas Rosicky is wasn't form, it would be a blow, just like with Michal Kadlec or Jaroslav Plasil. But because of the way we play, if any of these three were out it wouldn't be the end of the world.

The strengths

This togetherness is one of the strongest points of this team. They were written off during most of the qualifying campaign and it really united them, it had a similar effect to the one we saw with Chelsea in the Champions League. Who believed the would win?

Although Cech and Rosicky have been playing well, there are not many players in the squad who play for really big teams and that reflects in the performances. I still rate the Premier League as the best competition in the world but we have only two players in the national team there.

Another question is who will score the goals. Milan Baros has had an up-and-down season, with a few injury problems which never helps. However, I like coach Bilek's faith in Baros and I don't think there is a better striker in the country. Maybe it will be his last big tournament and that can give him a special motivation.

Tournament bet:

I believe that the Czech team will get through in Group A, along with Poland. And then with a piece of luck, who knows? after all, who predicted that we would reach the final in 1996?

Czech Republic and Poland both to qualify from Group A @ 7.06/1

Pavel Srnicek