Now give me some proper detail
An entire generation of Czech football fans have grown up without watching their team play on the greatest stage of all – until now.
Since the modern-day Republic was established in 1993, Narodak (the national team) have qualified for eight consecutive European Championships, but just one World Cup, in Germany 20 years ago.
The historic achievements of their predecessors, Czechoslovakia, twice runners-up in this competition, are unlikely to be repeated. There’s no out-and-out glamour name, although Lyon’s Pavel Sulc has the ability to be one of the breakthrough stars of the whole tournament.
Previous boss Ivan Hasek was shown the door after losing to the Faroe Islands in October, interim Jaroslav Kostl secured a play-off spot, and the unfashionable Miroslav Koubek did the rest, conjuring up two never-say-die performances against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark.
Hard work is non-negotiable for Koubeck’s most trusted enforcers. Aided, of course, by the two play-off games, four of the six players who covered the most distance in European qualifiers form the backbone of his team.
It’s a unit that’s effective rather than exhilarating. Nonetheless, the Czech public are going to enjoy their country’s moment in the sun – even if their heroes are unlikely to relish playing in the literal heat of Guadalajara and Mexico City.