The Czech Republic Euro 2024 squad was announced on Tuesday afternoon, as head coach Ivan Hasek confirmed the 26 players that he will take to Germany.
The Czechs finished second in their qualifying group behind fellow Euros hopefuls Albania on 15 points from their eight games, while third-placed Poland also qualified for the tournament.
Hasek's men will compete in Group F in Germany alongside Euro 2016 winners Portugal, regulars Turkey and debutants Georgia, and wil realistically be satisfied with finishing as runner-up behind European heavyweights Portugal.
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Czech Republic – Key facts
Year founded: 1994
Nickname: Narodni tym
Current FIFA ranking: 36
Highest FIFA ranking: 2
Year of Euro debut: 1996
Best Euro performance: Runners-up (1996)
Player to watch: Patrik Schick
Full Czech Republic Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeeper
- Vitezslav Jaros
- Matej Kovar
- Jindrich Stanek
Defence
- Vladimir Coufal
- David Doudera
- Tomas Holes
- Robin Hranac
- David Jurasek
- Ladislav Krejci
- Martin Vitik
- Tomas Vlcek
- David Zima
Midfield
- Antonin Barak
- Vaclav Cerny
- Lukas Cerv
- Matej Jurasek
- Ondrej Lingr
- Lukas Provod
- Michal Sadilek
- Tomas Soucek
- Pavel Sulc
Attack
- Tomas Chory
- Mojmir Chytil
- Adam Hlozek
- Jan Kuchta
- Patrik Schick
Surprise inclusions in Czech Republic Euro 2024 squad
Vladimir Coufal
Coufal would not be a surprise inclusion for the Czech Republic squad under normal circumstances, but he has not been selected for his country by Hasek since January.
This is because the West Ham United right-back was one of three Czech players to have been disciplined after being caught in a nightclub ahead of their Euros qualifying decider against Moldova back in November.
Nonetheless, Hasek has seemingly looked past that now, and picked Coufal to go on the plane.
Jan Kuchta
Sparta Prague striker Kuchta was another involved in the nightclub incident, and so it is somewhat of a surprise to see him also make the squad. It should also be noted that the third player involved, Aris Thessaloniki defender Jakub Brabec, has not been selected by Hasek.
In-form players for Czech Republic
Antonin Barak
Barak is preparing to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League final for Fiorentina against Olympiacos in Greece, and a win for last year's losers in the final against West Ham would have Barak full of confidence going into the Euros.
The 29-year-old scored three goals in Fiorentina's route to the final, and has also recorded five goal contributions in Serie A this season.
Patrik Schick
After injury problems halted the start of his campaign, Schick recovered well and certainly contributed to Bayer Leverkusen winning a memorable domestic double. The Czech scored 13 goals in total, including two in his final three Bundesliga matches, and will certainly be his country's main goal threat in Germany.
Czech Republic Predicted Euro XI
Czech Republic vs Portugal
(3-4-1-2) Stanek, Zima, Krejci, Holes, Coufal, Soucek, Sadilek, Provod, Barak, Schick, Hlozek
Hasek will likely set up his team with three central defenders throughout the tournament, with both Coufal and Provod operating as wing-backs. However, against the toughest opponents in the group stage on paper in Portugal, this will likely be a solid back five out of possession.
Czech Republic vs Georgia
(3-4-1-2) Stanek, Zima, Krejci, Holes, Coufal, Soucek, Sadilek, Provod, Barak, Schick, Hlozek
Although the personnel is unlikely to change for the Czechs, the system may give more licence to go forward for the wing-backs against newcomers Georgia. Captain Soucek may also be given licence to dwell forward more, while Barak could form more of a front three with Schick and Hlozek.
Czech Republic vs Turkey
Unchanged
Again, we do not anticipate much of the personnel changing unless there is an injury or suspension, but there could be some debates over certain positions. Both Schick and Hlozek are also not regular starters for the recently-crowned Bundesliga champions, but they have built up good chemistry for the national team, and boast plenty of goal threat between them.
