Outsiders capable of an upset: Czech Republic
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Your support makes all the difference.1 Petr Kouba Sparta Prague
First-choice goalkeeper who came up through the ranks at Sparta. Steady rather than showy (Age 27, 30 caps).
2 Radoslav Latal Schalke 04
Not the fastest of the team's defenders but makes up for it by good positional play (26, 29).
3 Jan Suchoparek Slavia Prague
Big and belligerent defender who likes to charge forward. Will join Strasbourg next season (27, 31).
4 Pavel Nedved Sparta Prague
An intuitive player who reads the game well. Good creative instincts despite relative inexperience (23, 9).
5 Miroslav Kadlec Kaiserslautern
A commanding and versatile defender who works very well in tandem with Suchoparek. Good leader (31, 53).
6 Vaclav Nemecek Servette
Experienced and intelligent midfielder who has also played club football in France (29, 56).
7 Jiri Nemec Schalke 04
Will be relied upon to help control midfield. A determined player who never knows when he is beaten (29, 33).
8 Karel Poborsky Slavia Prague
Slavia stalwart who likes to run with the ball from midfield. Yet to claim a regular national place (24, 14).
9 Pavel Kuka Kaiserslautern
The key man in attack, expected to create and finish chances. Bundesliga experience will be vital (27, 43).
10 Radek Drulak Petra Drnovice
Late arrival on international scene, plays for upstart provincial club, top scorer in Czech League last term (34, 13).
11 Martin Frydek Sparta Prague
Busy little wide midfielder who keeps running all game. Can also play in defence (27, 24).
12 Lubos Kubik Petra Drnovice
Experienced defender who can no longer claim a regular place in the starting line-up (31, 47).
13 Radek Bejbl Slavia Prague
Tall blond midfield man who has just forced his way into the team. Bursts forward to good effect (23, 7).
14 Patrik Berger Borussia Dortmund
Excellent young schemer who could emerge as one of the most coveted players of the tournament (22, 15).
15 Michal Hornak Sparta Prague
Understudy in defence; started with Sparta, was farmed out to Cheb before returning to the capital (26, 6).
16 Pavel Srnicek Newcastle United
Tall and athletic goalkeeper who has not been a first choice for club or country this season (28, 4).
17 Vladimir Smicer Slavia Prague
Likely to be used as a substitute up front for Drulak. Off to Lens in France next month (21, 3).
18 Martin Kotulek Sigma Olomouc
Defender who had a good season for provincial club who finished as runners- up in the Czech League (26, 0).
19 Karel Rada Sigma Olomouc
Inexperienced defender, also played his part in the Olomouc success story. Will be on the bench (24, 2).
20 Pavel Novotny Slavia Prague
Another defensive understudy who helped Slavia to the title and the Uefa Cup semi-finals (22, 0).
21 Milan Kerbr Sigma Olomouc
Striker who made debut as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland last month. Will be 29 on Sunday (28, 2).
22 Ladislav Maier Slovan Liberec
Has displaced Miklosko of West Ham as the third-choice goalkeeper. Plays for Czech provincial club (30, 1).
The team
Achieved the unique feat of qualifying for the finals despite losing to Luxembourg and being held by Malta. Little is expected of the Czechs in the toughest of the four groups, but they have some talented players - including the defender Suchoparek and the forward Kuka - and may well surprise at least one of their opponents. Germany will be without Klinsmann in their opening fixture.
The coach
Dusan Uhrin won two Czechoslovak league titles and the cup twice when coach of Sparta Prague. Became national coach in 1993 after the split from Slovakia. A steady and thoughtful technician on the training ground, he spends his spare time indulging his passion for gardening.
The fact file
Previous appearances in finals: Czechoslovakia: 1960 (third place), 1976 (winners), 1980 (third place).
Qualifying record: W6, D3, L1 (Group Five winners).
Top scorer in qualifiers: 6 Berger.
Most appearances in qualifiers: 10 Kuka, Latal.
Population 10.3m. Registered clubs 3,562. Registered players 237,000. Professional players figures unavailable.
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