Here’s a look at the Czech Republic’s Euro 2012 squad and a preview of their chances in the Euros (you’ll see why Tomáš Rosický is such a key player for them).

Czech Republic squad

Goalkeepers: Petr Čech (Chelsea FC), Jaroslav Drobný (Hamburger SV) , Jan Laštůvka (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk).

Defenders: Theodor Gebre Selassie (FC Slovan Liberec), Roman Hubník (Hertha BSC Berlin), Michal Kadlec (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), David Limberský (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Tomáš Sivok (Beşiktaş JK), Marek Suchý (FC Spartak Moskva).

Midfielders: Vladimír Darida (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Tomáš Hübschman (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Petr Jiráček (VfL Wolfsburg), Daniel Kolář (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Milan Petržela (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Václav Pilař (VfL Wolfsburg), Jaroslav Plašil (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), František Rajtoral (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal FC).

Forwards: Milan Baroš (Galatasaray AŞ), David Lafata (FK Jablonec), Tomáš Necid (PFC CSKA Moskva), Tomáš Pekhart (1. FC Nürnberg), Jan Rezek (Anorthosis Famagusta FC).

Coach: Michal Bílek

Czech Republic Euro 2012 Preview

FIFA Ranking: 26

Euro Best: Runners-up 1996

Expectations are low for the Czechs after qualifying for the tournament via a play-off win against Montenegro, having missed out on the 2010 World Cup. After reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2004 they have since failed to get past the group stage of any competition.

Castrol EDGE Performance data shows that the Czech Republic benefited from six goals scored by defenders, more than any other side in their UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifying campaign.

Those six goals equate to 40% of their total haul, a joint-high percentage on the road to Poland and Ukraine. They also won the Czech Republic a total of three vital extra points in the qualifiers while Tomas Sivek’s last-minute goal against Montenegro in the first leg of the play-offs gave the Czech’s a solid 2-0 lead ahead of the second leg.

Goals By Defenders – UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifiers

According to Castrol EDGE Performance research, Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky made more accurate passes than any other player in the final third of the pitch (251) in the UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifiers, as he inspired his side to qualification.

The schemer, who has enjoyed an impressive season with Arsenal in the Premier League, pulled the strings for the Czech Republic in midfield, setting up a total of 31 goal-scoring chances for team-mates, a haul only two players could better and he also provided six assists, a total bettered by only three other players.

Passes In The Final Third – UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifiers

Also See:

Euro 2012 Fixtures

Euro 2012 Infographic

Czech Republic Euro 2012 Shirts