Team welcomes Nedved return in Norway clash

National football side manager Vlastimil Kostal and team coach Karel Bruckner have welcomed a decision by former team captain Pavel Nedved to return for two matches against Norway in the final play-off preceding the World Cup. Nedved, who retired last year but plays for Italy's Juventus Turin, announced the desire to help his country through the final qualification games. The star midfielder has made no decision on whether to return for the actual World Cup next year, should the Czech Republic win.

The Czechs, currently ranked 4th in the world by FIFA, have been fairly successful in European Championships but last played in the World Cup in 1990.