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World Cup - Czech Republic

After two 1-0 play-off wins over Norway, Karel Bruckner’s team have booked their place at Germany 2006 - the first time that this relatively new country will be taking part in the biggest sporting event on the planet.
As was the case in previous campaigns, the Czech Republic did not have things entirely their own way. In European qualifying Group 1, their haul of 27 points was good only for second place behind The Netherlands, and put them a mere two points ahead of Romania, on 25. Another play-off lay-in wait for the Czechs if they were to secure their FIFA World Cup™ berth.

This awakened unhappy memories of 2001, when a strong Czech squad ended up watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ from the comfort of their own armchairs after losing under similar circumstances to Belgium. This time, however, it was a different story. Bruckner’s men set about their task with steely determination and outplayed the Norwegians both home and away. No wonder the coach was proud enough to describe it as his “finest hour as a manager.”

This Czechs’ qualification was merely the continuation of their success at the UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal. Despite losing in the semi-finals to eventual winners Greece, the Czech Republic produced what was widely accepted as being the most flowing, attractive football of the tournament. They were the only team not to drop a point in the group stages, coming from behind to win against both Germany and The Netherlands. The emergence of Bruckner’s men was one of the definite highlights of the tournament.

Read more at: FIFA World Cup - Yahoo!