Since making it to the final of Euro ’96, the Czechs have been a strong side, with a mixture of physical presence and technique making them one of European football’s most consistent sides. However, they are still battling a troubled Ireland squad for the second qualification spot behind runaway group C leaders Germany, with a draw in June against Wales in Manchester United star Ryan Gigg’s last international match and a loss in Prague in March to the Germans particularly eroding their early lead over the Irish.

Despite some real quality in the side, from the goalkeeper Petr Cech all the way to the forward pairing of Koller and Baros, the Czechs still miss Pavel Neved since his retirement from the international game, and it remains to be seen whether the younger players coming through can match the class of the Poborsky, Berger and Smicer era.