Czech Republic shows it's a team on the rise after deep Euro 2020 run

Boosted by a core of Slavia Prague players who reached the Europa League quarters, Czech Republic used an energetic high press to create turnovers and launch quick counter-attacks.

Published : Jul 04, 2021 17:35 IST

Under coach Jaroslav Silhavy, the Czechs regrouped after failing to qualify for 2018 World Cup and began to rely on younger players like Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick.
Under coach Jaroslav Silhavy, the Czechs regrouped after failing to qualify for 2018 World Cup and began to rely on younger players like Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick.
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Under coach Jaroslav Silhavy, the Czechs regrouped after failing to qualify for 2018 World Cup and began to rely on younger players like Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick.

The Czech Republic showed it is team ready to compete with the heavyweights of European football after a run to the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 that ended in a 2-1 defeat to an exciting Denmark side.

Boosted by a core of the Slavia Prague team that reached the Europa League quarterfinals, knocking out Leicester City and Scottish champion Rangers on the way, the Czechs used an energetic high press to create turnovers and launch quick counter-attacks.

These tactics were on display in a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in a last-16 match in which a well-organised Czech squad stymied the Dutch attack before capitalising on a red card to upset its more-fancied opponent.

Yet the determined Danes, who scored two first-half goals, proved too strong for the Czechs, ending their hopes of reaching a first European Championship semifinal since 2004 and a first final since 1996.

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Midfielder Antonin Barak said his team's run at Euro 2020 gave it something to build on as it eyes the next World Cup and sent a message that smaller countries like the Czech Republic, Denmark and Switzerland could make their mark at big tournaments.

"We have to try to get there, it will be another very important step," Barak said. "The team has great individual quality and can be worked with well. And everything can happen in the tournament, look at us, the Danes or the Swiss."

Under coach Jaroslav Silhavy, the Czechs regrouped after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and began to rely on younger players such as Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick, whose stunning effort from near the halfway line in their opening 2-0 win over Scotland is perhaps the goal of the tournament so far.

Schick also netted against the Danes to give the Czechs a glimmer of hope and ended the tournament as the team's leading scorer with five goals.

Czech Republic made a solid start to the tournament, with the victory over Scotland and a 1-1 draw with Croatia, but failed to produce a similar performance in a 1-0 loss to eventual group winner England at Wembley. It was tactically superb in its last-16 win over the Netherlands to set up the encounter with Denmark.

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Since 1996 the Czechs have qualified for every European Championship and progressed past the group phase four times, but have not made much of an impact on the international stage since reaching the last eight at Euro 2012.

That began to change under the guidance of former defender Silhavy, who has forged a team with a core of Slavia Prague's current and former players, including West Ham United duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.

During qualifying, Czech Republic beat England 2-1 at home yet still doubts lingered as to whether the squad had what it took to emerge from a group that also included 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia and a Scotland side playing at home.

In doing so, the Czechs showed they will be a team to watch in the future and, with their mix of experience and youth -- including 18-year-old Sparta Prague forward Adam Hlozek who earned valuable tournament experience -- they will be a tough opponent for whoever they face.

"I am proud of the team, as well as all the people around me," said goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. "After such a tournament and this second half, we can leave with our heads held high and a clear conscience that we have done our best."

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