Pavel Nedved quits the Czech national squad
There was rather shocking if not altogether unexpected news this Friday when star midfielder Pavel Nedved announced he was quitting the Czech national squad, an announcement following weeks of speculation over Nedved's future. The captain of the Czech squad suffered a lingering knee injury in July at the European Championship and had refused to play for the Czechs until he was fully recovered. But, then he raised many fans' ire by continuing to play - and play well - for his professional club, Italy's Juventus Turin.
"You're right the decision comes after weeks of uncertainty for which Nedved was himself responsible and duly criticised. On the one hand Nedved had pulled out temporarily from the national squad at a time when it needed him most - in qualifying rounds for the World Cup - but was continuing to play for Juventus. That double standard made many fans angry, and with some Nedved went from hero to villain in a relatively short space of time."
Now, that the decision has been reached do you know what Czech sports commentators are saying?
"Well, earlier today I spoke with Pavel Prochazka of the Czech daily Sport. Discussing the decision he said there were more elegant ways Nedved might have quit: for example, right after the Czechs' exit from the European Championship in July. At the time, there was an outpouring of sympathy from fans who saw Nedved limp off the field - injured - with tears of frustration in his eyes. But it's never easy to reach the decision to quit. In Nedved's case Pavel Prochazka explains why."
"To be honest he wasn't sure whether he could play for both his club and the national squad, because his injury was a lingering one and recovery was taking longer than expected. On top of that it's no secret Nedved's wife had long wanted him to give up the national side. He himself might have felt he'd already done enough and wanted to quit right after Euro 2004, but stayed on because of his strong relationship with the team's coach, Karel Bruckner."
"There's no question it will be a damper for a squad which has already displayed little of the form that was seen at Euro 2004 this summer. Those days, at least for now, are over. In Nedved you have a star player, 2003's European Player of the Year, capable of turning games around: confidence, endless energy, and endless drive. As a player those are his defining characteristics, as we saw in Portugal where he and his team-mates shone. Is it a coincidence that the team went down in defeat in the semi-final once Nedved was injured? We'll never know if he could have made a difference, but yes, he will be missed."
But, the national squad will rebound, even if it takes time.
"Of course. But it will, as you say, take time. Over the last three years Coach Karel Bruckner has done an amazing job of pulling the national side together, with some strong up-and-coming personalities in the side and it would be a shame if it came apart now. But, there are still some who have not been fully tested in their leadership skills, players capable of eventually taking up Nedved's role, like midfielder Tomas Rosicky, no small talent in his own right. He has been touted as a possible successor in the past and may step up now, even if it is earlier than planned. Someone will have to, if the Czech team wants to secure a place at the next World Cup. According to Pavel Prochazka it's not an impossible task."
"Nedved's relentless drive will be missed, but it is only a matter of time - say half a year to a year before the team fully recovers. Eventually, even the best players have to retire, and everyone is replaceable. Certainly I think the Czech Republic has enough good players to be able to fill the gap."
