Czech football team ready for Euro 2004, says striker Milan Baros

On Thursday morning the Czech football team left Prague for the European Championships in Portugal, with fans around the country hoping they can win the tournament for the first time since 1976. Among the stars of the Czech team should be striker Milan Baros, who has scored a very impressive 16 goals in 25 international games - not bad for a 22-year-old. Before the Czech team left for Euro 2004, Ian Willoughby spoke to Milan Baros, and began by asking him how the Czech team's preparations for the tournament had gone.

Czech football team ready for Euro 2004, says striker Milan Baros

Milan Baros, photo: CTK

"I think we had a good training camp in Seefeld, so I think we are ready. Now we had two days off, so we took a rest and everything should be OK for the Euro."

After all this huge build-up, how much are you looking forward to getting out on the pitch and actually playing in Portugal?

"Of course, for every player it's a big challenge because it's a big tournament. Everyone will be watching this tournament, so I think no-one needs any special motivation. It's Euro, and everybody is looking forward to this tournament."

There are high expectations among the Czech fans - they think you're the favourites. Does that put any extra pressure on you?

"Of course it's difficult if somebody expects you'll be the champions in the Euro. But I think we've got a tough group, and our first target is to get out of the group. And then anything can happen. So that's our first target, to go through from the group."

Like you say, it is a tough group. You have Latvia, Germany and Holland - which of those countries do you think will be the toughest challenge for the Czech team?

"Maybe Holland, because they've got the best team - for each place on the team they've got three or four players at the same level. But against Latvia it's going to be a tough game as well. In Euro there are no easy games, so I think everyone will be difficult."

What's the atmosphere like in the squad?

"I think it's OK. As I said, we took a rest and everybody is ready. So hopefully it will be OK."