Czechs reach Euro 2008 as Group D winners after victory in Cyprus

The Czech Republic’s campaign to reach football’s Euro 2008 came to a successful end on Wednesday evening with a 2:0 away win over Cyprus. What’s more, the Czechs – at times somewhat at sea earlier in the year – finished first in their group, ahead of Germany.

Photo: CTK

In March the Czech Republic struggled to beat Cyprus 1:0 at home. That game came days after some of the team’s stars were photographed partying into the small hours, and they left the field to catcalls.

But that episode is forgotten now, following a string of good results in the latter half of the year. The biggest scalp was Germany, who had already qualified for Euro 2008 when the Czechs beat them 3:0 in Munich to secure qualification themselves.

Photo: CTK

That result put the Czech Republic in the driving seat in Group D; with a superior head-to-head record against the Germans, they knew a win in Nicosia on Wednesday would mean they finished the campaign as group winners.

Photo: CTK

Coach Karel Bruckner fielded a number of inexperienced players, among them Slavia Prague’s Daniel Pudil, who opened the scoring after 11 minutes. An hour later big Jan Koller increased his Czech national record to an incredible 51 goals. The Cypriots did little to trouble 32-year-old debutant goalkeeper Daniel Zitka, and the match ended 2:0.

After a difficult period, things are now looking bright for the Czech Republic. Young players have been successfully blooded, and coach Bruckner, who is 68, has restored a reputation that has at times been questioned. What’s more, coming first in Group D means the Czechs should find themselves facing a relatively favourable draw. Roll on Euro 2008.