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Reuters 18y

Soccer-World-Penpix of the Czech Republic's World Cup squad

PRAGUE, May 25 - The Czech Republic's squad for
the World Cup finals in Germany comprises the following 23
players:

(Statistics up to and including May 24 2006)

GOALKEEPERS

1-Petr Cech (Chelsea, England) Born: 20.5.82. Caps: 39
Goals: 0.

Helped Chelsea to win their first title in 50 years in 2005
while establishing a string of Premier League records -- 1,025
minutes without a goal and 24 clean sheets. Won a second league
medal this season. Moved to London from Stade Rennes after the
Euro 2004 finals. A penalty-shootout specialist, which may be a
bonus if the Czechs make it to the knock-out stages. He is
developing into one of the best keepers in the world.

16-Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague) Born: 29.12.72. Caps: 10
Goals: 0.

Experienced back-up to Cech, proven by several Champions
League seasons with Sparta Prague. Often comes out best when
faced with a one-on-one situation with a rival striker. Also
played for local Prague rivals Slavia and Bohemians.

23-Antonin Kinsky (Saturn Ramenskoye, Russia) Born: 31.5.75.
Caps: 5 Goals: 0.

Has sealed the number three spot in the squad, but his
chances of playing at the World Cup are slim. Formerly with
Slovan Liberec.

DEFENDERS

2-Zdenek Grygera (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands) Born:
14.5.80. Caps: 38 Goals: 1.

Can play either as a right back or, more recently, as a
central defender for Ajax. Attacking defender who is a dead ball
specialist and has regularly been his team's penalty taker.
Played with Sparta Prague.

6-Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan, Italy) Born: 9.5.77. Caps: 45
Goals: 7.

Left-footed attacking midfielder established as a first
choice since his surprise selection for the Euro 2000 final
squad. Takes Czech penalty kicks alongside Jan Koller.
Previously with Udinese, Napoli and Banik Ostrava.

13-Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow, Russia) Born: 25.5.79.
Caps: 21 Goals: 0.

Tough defender who will battle with Ajax's Grygera for the
starting position on the right side of midfield. Previously with
Reggina and Slovan Liberec.

5-Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow, Russia) Born: 27.11.79.
Caps: 5 Goals: 0.

Tall and tough defensive organiser, likely to be used as
cover for Galasek or Polak in a defensive midfield role.

3-Pavel Mares (Zenit St Petersburg, Russia) Born: 18.1.76.
Caps: 8 Goals: 0.

Reliable back-up to Jankulovski, but less supporting in the
attack. Played with Sparta Prague and Bohemians Prague.

22-David Rozehnal (Paris St Germain, France) Born: 5.7.80.
Caps: 19 Goals: 0.

Tall centre-half who took over the first-choice post from
Rene Bolf in the middle of the qualifying campaign and shows no
signs of returning to the bench. Formerly with Club Bruges and
Sigma Olomouc.

21-Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina, Italy) Born: 24.3.78. Caps:
46 Goals: 2.

Technical defender with long, flowing hair. Is a firm pillar
in partnership with Rozehnal. Formerly with Hamburg SV and Sigma
Olomouc.

MIDFIELDERS

4-Tomas Galasek (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands) Born: 15.1.73.
Caps: 49 Goals: 1.

Czech captain who took over the defensive midfield duties
from Radek Bejbl after Euro 2000 and has established himself as
indispensable since then. Left Banik Ostrava in 1996 without the
club's permission for Dutch side Tilburg.

14-David Jarolim (Hamburg SV, Germany) Born: 17.5.79. Caps:
1 Goals: 0.

Good performances and move to the right wing from the
central playmaking post in Hamburg have increased the chances of
this mercurial midfielder playing in the finals, although he may
have to be content with a place on the bench initially.

11-Pavel Nedved (Juventus, Italy) Born: 30.8.72. Caps: 85
Goals: 17.

Juventus playmaker and former Czech captain returned from
self-imposed exile after 16 months to help in play-off against
Norway. The 2003 European Player of the Year was also keen to
erase the memory of the World Cup play-off lost to Belgium four
years ago, when his reputation took a hit. He is probably going
to start in Germany, if fully fit. The Czech Player of the Year
in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2004.

20-Jaroslav Plasil (Monaco, France) Born: 5.1.82. Caps: 11
Goals: 1.

Returned to the team just in time for the play-off after a
foot injury. With the advantage that he can substitute
left-winger Nedved as well as right-winger Poborsky, he may
collect further experience after Euro 2004.

8-Karel Poborsky (Ceske Budejovice) Born: 30.3.72. Caps: 112
Goals: 8.

The most capped Czech player is on loan to his second
division side after clashing with coach Jaroslav Hrebik at
Sparta Prague earlier this season. Hrebik was then sacked after
a string of defeats. Has scored only six international goals
since his memorable chip gave the Czechs victory over Portugal
in the 1996 European Championship quarter-finals. Played with
Lazio, Benfica, Manchester United and Slavia Prague.

19-Jan Polak (Nuremberg, Germany) Born: 14.3.81. Caps: 15
Goals: 5.

Established as a future number one defensive midfielder when
Galasek could not play this year. Dangerous with long-range
shots. Has a Mohawk haircut. Made a surprise debut at the age of
18 under former coach Jozef Chovanec, but had to wait five years
to resume his international career in a 3-0 victory over
Slovenia in February 2005.

10-Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal, England) Born: 4.10.80. Caps: 53
Goals: 15.

Joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund for 8 million pounds
in late May. He scored what he described as "the most important
goal of my life" in the second leg of the Norway play-off. He
set a Bundesliga transfer fee record in January 2001 when he
moved from Sparta Prague after just 18 months in the first team.
The country's soccer player of 2001 and 2002.

FORWARDS

15-Milan Baros (Aston Villa, England) Born: 28.10.81. Caps:
46 Goals: 26.

Top scorer at Euro 2004. Quick, red-hot striker fights
defenders as well as referees, who often see him as a penalty
box diver even when he has a real reason to fall. Scored on his
debut against Belgium at 19 and moved to Villa after winning the
European Champions League with Liverpool last season.

18-Marek Heinz (Galatasaray, Turkey) Born: 4.8.77. Caps: 26
Goals: 5.

Top Czech league goalscorer with 2004 champions Banik
Ostrava. Played under coach Karel Brueckner at Euro Under-21
finals and Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

9-Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) Born: 30.3.73.
Caps: 66 Goals: 40.

The Czech's all-time international record scorer who found
the back of the net 11 times in the qualifying campaign before
injuring his knee in September. The lanky, 2.02-metre striker
has become nearly unstoppable in the air but is also a handful
on the ground. He is almost indispensable for the Czechs, so his
recovery will be widely watched. The country's soccer player of
1999, played with Anderlecht, Lokeren and Sparta Prague.

12-Vratislav Lokvenc (Salzburg, Austria) Born: 27.9.73.
Caps: 69 Goals: 13.

Natural replacement for Koller and suffers from the same
knee injury, but went under knife later on and is therefore more
doubtful to be fit.

At 1.96 metres, Lokvenc's sporadic pairing with Koller
creates huge problems for defenders.

7-Vladimir Smicer (Girondins Bordeaux, France) Born:
24.5.73. Caps: 81 Goals: 27.

Veteran striker or attacking midfielder has finally made it
to the World Cup after years of near misses. Headed the lone
goal in the first leg of the play-off against Norway. Played
with Liverpool, RC Lens and Slavia Prague. Scored after coming
on as a substitute in Liverpool's Champions League victory last
season and also won the UEFA Cup with Liverpool in 2001.

17-Jiri Stajner (Hanover 96, Germany) Born: 27.5.76. Caps:
18 Goals: 3.

Small, versatile striker who did not get into the final Euro
2004 squad but has had a much improved season in the Bundesliga
this year. Czech leading scorer with champions Slovan Liberec in
2002.

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