Czech Republic Archives - Sports Betting Day - Best Bookmakers and Betting Sites

Baros Retires – Highs and Lows of International Career

Gooty — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:52:24 +0000

Having lost to Portugal in last night’s Euro quarterfinal, Czech forward Milan Baros has opted to retire from international football. At the age of 30, the retirement can be considered premature but Baros could not live up to expectations at Euros and perhaps made the decision to see someone younger take over. He scored 48 times for his nation in 93 appearances and currently plays for Turkish club Galatasaray. Soccerisma covers the highs and lows of Milan Baros’s International career.

HIGHS

International Debut:
Baros made his first appearance in Czech Republic shirt when he was just 19 years old. The game was against Belgium in 2001 and the youngster impressed everyone by scoring his first goal for his nation in a match that ended 1-1.
Euro 2004:
Euro 2004 remains his best tournament for national side where Baros won the golden boot prize by finishing as competition’s top scorer with 5 goals. Czech went behind in every group match and Baros helped his side to victory by scoring in all of them. The group included top teams like Germany and Netherlands. Adding to that, he was unstoppable versus Denmark in the quarterfinals as his brilliant brace helped Czech reach the semi finals where they were eliminated by eventual champions Greece in extra time.

San Marino Thrashing:
In September 2009, Milan Baros scored no less than 4 times in a single game against San Marino where his nation won the match 7-0. This was a qualification fixture for 2010 FIFA World Cup for which Czech Republic failed to qualify.

LOWS

2006 FIFA World Cup:
Much was expected from the striker who topped goal-scoring charts two years back in Euro 2004. However, Baros entered the tournament with an injury that led to his exclusion from first two group games. He did feature in the last one against Italians but could do little to revive his side as they were eliminated from the group stages. A moment to forget for Baros who featured in his first, and perhaps the last World Cup game if he does not plan to come back from retirement.
National Ban:
In April 2009, Milan Baros alongside few other team mates was banned from playing for the national side. The players were found drinking heavily late night after defeat in World Cup qualifier against Slovakia. The forward was however recalled back to national side 4 months later.
Euro 2012:
Baros featured in every game to lead the line but failed to shine. He was booed off the pitch against Russia for a nightmare performance and tried to work hard versus Greece but could not create chances. His only notable contribution at the championships was in the last group fixture versus Poland where he provided crucial assist that ensured Czech’s qualification to knockout rounds. In his final international appearance last night, Baros was largely a spectator and could not provide the spark when had the ball as Czech were ousted without even hitting a shot on target against Portugal.

Czech team spokesman Jaroslav Kolar claimed:

“The other (Czech) players and the coach reacted with a big applause (hearing about retirement) that lasted about five minutes. It was pretty long and it was pretty emotional”

Milan Baros deserves all the praise and applause after closing the curtains on his international career having served his nation for 11 long years.
Follow Myself and Soccerisma on Twitter: Farjad07 and Soccerisma

The post Baros Retires – Highs and Lows of International Career appeared first on Sports Betting Day - Best Bookmakers and Betting Sites.

Statistical Preview – Czech Republic vs Portugal

admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:35:29 +0000

Portugal face a tricky fixture in the Quarter Finals against Czech Republic and will be hoping that captain Ronaldo comes up with another majestic performance to ensure semifinal place.
Czech side might not have their captain Tomas Rosicky in the squad who is sidelined by injury that also led to his exclusion in the final group match against co-hosts Poland. Soccerisma brings you with some interesting stats comparison between both teams as the Quarter final kicks off tomorrow.
Overall:
In total, Portugal and Czech Republic have played 11 fixtures and the record is equal with both the teams having won 4 games and drawn 3. The only difference is that Czech have scored more goals than their opponents and lead with 12 goals to Portugal’s 9.
Major Tournaments:
Seleccao and Narodak will collide for the third time in European Championships. Portuguese beat Czech side 3-1 in last competition in the group stages, whereas in Euro 1996 Karel Poborsky’s only goal for Czech eliminated Portugal from the quarter finals. The sides have never faced each other in a FIFA World Cup, instead they have only met in qualifiers where again the record is equal with both teams having won, drawn and lost 2 games in 6 meetings.
Biggest Win/Defeat:
Czech Republic’s biggest win against Portugal came in Euro 1976 qualifiers where they won 5-0. Not to forget Czech went on to win their only major championship to date by beating Germany in Euro 1976 final on penalties. On the other hand, Portugese side defeated Czech 3-1 in Euro 2008 group fixtures for their biggest win; however Germans ousted them in quarter finals.
Euro 2012:
Having scored twice against Netherlands, Real Madrid star Ronaldo became only player to score in five major competitions for his nation. On the contrary, only Schmeichel has conceded more goals at European Championships than Czech Republic’s Champions League winner Petr Cech, who conceded his 15th goal versus Greece. The Chelsea goalie will have a tough task keeping out Ronaldo in case the Portuguese captain is firing on all cylinders.
Seleccao midfielder Veloso believes that defense has been the secret behind Portugal’s success. Stats show an interesting side that Portugal have conceded in 9 out of their last 10 games at European Championshps and Czech have only been unable to score once in their last 13 Euro fixtures.
As already mentioned, Portugal lost the last time they reached last eight of Euros, 3-2 against Germany. Last time Czech Republic qualified for quarter finals, they beat Denmark 3-0 in Euro 2004 thanks to a brace from striker Milan Baros who finished as tournament’s top scorer with 5 goals. The Galatasaray forward may well be starting again tomorrow even after not so impressive competition.
Conclusion
Past statistics do not show much differences between both sides. On paper, Portugal are clear favorites with no injury or suspension concerns. Czech Republic were not even considered favorites to qualify from Group A. Nevertheless, they topped the group with a negative goal difference. The Seleccao simply have more quality in their squad than their opponents, adding to that if Ronaldo is anywhere near his best then Czech may as well forget about winning tomorrow. To sum it up, majority are predicting a Portuguese win, however do not be shocked if Czech cause an upset in the first quarter final.
Follow Soccerisma on Twitter: Soccerisma

The post Statistical Preview – Czech Republic vs Portugal appeared first on Sports Betting Day - Best Bookmakers and Betting Sites.

Jira-Czech On Target as Poland Crash Out of Euros

admin — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 21:31:06 +0000

Co-hosts Poland crash out of the tournament with Petr Jiracek breaking the hearts of home fans scoring the only goal of the game. The Wolfsburg man kept his calm and scored the goal that ensured Czech Republic’s progression as Group A winners.
Poland had to win to qualify and thus started brightly with Lewandowski winning a free kick in the second minute of the game. Czech Republic struggled to clear the ball as Poland had their first shot but off target. A minute later Czech had their opportunity with Pilar getting the ball inside the box but completely miscued his shot much to the pleasure of Polska fans.
Poland kept up the pressure and did not let Czech side keep possession of the ball. On the contrary Polish side were not able to take advantage of their possession as they struck first 4 shots off targets with Lewandowski missing a clear chance. The first shot on target came in the 21^st minute when Boenisch struck the ball sweetly from 30 odd yards and Cech made a fantastic save to keep the sides level.
After long period of frustration Czech had a brilliant opportunity to take the lead with Baros breaking the offside trap successfully, failed to control the ball. The Euro 2004 top scorer looked at the linesman expecting a flag but he was clearly on side. Czech grew in confidence as time went by and created several chances at the end of the half but failed to capitalize as the teams went into dressing room all square.
Czech started the second half on the front foot knowing that a draw might not be enough as Greece led Russia 1-0. Poland lost their calm and started losing possession easily as Czech continued to attack. Pilar tormented the Polish side with his pace on the left flank and he first real chance came from the free kick he won. Sivok was unmarked at the far post and headed on target but Polish keeper Tyton made a superb reflex save.
Poland deployed their resources in attack which gave Czech the opportunity to counter with a lot of space in the opponent’s half. In the 72^nd minute Poland gave away the ball cheaply, Baros took advantage and ran in space towards opponent’s box and slipped the ball to Jiracek who stepped inside his marker to slot the ball home.
With time running out Poland reacted with two attacking substitutions but the goal left scars from which they could not recover. For a moment Milan Baros looked to have sealed the game by scoring, only to find himself offside. The home fans kept on singing to somehow lift their side but it was not going to be their day as co-hosts finished the group rock bottom.
Czech Republic – Petr Jiracek (72)
Follow Soccerisma on Twitter: Soccerisma

The post Jira-Czech On Target as Poland Crash Out of Euros appeared first on Sports Betting Day - Best Bookmakers and Betting Sites.

Russia Dismantle Czech Republic in Euro Opener

admin — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 20:54:10 +0000

Euro 2008, Russia lost their first game 4-1, four years on they have dismantled Czech Republic in Euro 2012 opener with the same scoreline. The talented youngster Alan Dzagoev has announced himself and is in the limelight for becoming the tournament’s best young player.

Czech Republic started the match brightly and maintained possession in Russian half for the most part of first ten minutes. The flanks were their main area of threat but the crosses were not productive and Bilek’s men could not create any clear cut opportunity instead it was Russia who started to look threatening on the counter attack. The first real chance came in the 14^th minute when Arshavin and Zhirkov cleverly combined to set up Kerzhakov only for the Russian to fire wide.
A minute later though Dzagoev initiated counter attack for Russia and finished emphatically after Kerzhakov saw his header rebound of the post. Czech’s defense started crumbling with Russia’s continued pressure and Dzagoev should have doubled the lead in the 19^th minute missing 1v1 opportunity, firing his shot wide.
Czech tried to respond and did via Rezek’s good work on the far side but once again in vain. On the other hand, Russia were in no mood of missing their chances as Plasil lost the ball and another counter attack found the man who scored 2 goals against Italy, Shirokov chipped the ball over diving Cech to make it 2-0. Russia could have had a penalty minutes later for a foul on Arshavin but Howard Webb was not convinced. Czech players were finding it hard to gain possession as Russia continued attacking but survived further damages to go into half time 2 goals down.
Bilek looked to have changed strategy, bringing on Tomas Hubschman for Razek but again Russia started the second half where they left the first. Early on, Kerzhakov had 2 players waiting for the cross but opted to shoot and missed one of his many chances. Just like the first half, the goal came against the run of play. This time Czech came up with a fantastic move and pass from the midfield combined with equally brilliant run of Pilar who rounded the goal keeper and finished in the bottom corner.
Despite the goal Russia kept on creating chance after chance particularly from the right wing but Kerzhakov, who desperately wanted to be on the score sheet missed them all. Unsurprisingly he was substituted in the 73^rd minute for Roman Pavlyuchenko who made immediate impact. Six minutes after coming on the former Tottenham man set up Dzagoev with a neat pass who smashed it past Cech to make it 3-1. Adding insult to injury Pavlyuchenko added a fourth as Czech defense failed to win the ball from the Russian striker who found a yard space and finished in the top corner.
The game was all but over as Czech Republic tried to put all their resources in attack but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. Russia completely dominated and deservedly beat Czech Republic 4-1.
Russia – Alan Dzagoev (15, 79) Roman Shirokov (24) Roman Pavlyuchenko (82)
Czech Republic – Vaclav Pilar (52)
Follow Soccerisma on Twitter: Soccerisma

The post Russia Dismantle Czech Republic in Euro Opener appeared first on Sports Betting Day - Best Bookmakers and Betting Sites.