Tuesday, September 10 in Prague, the Ukraine national team will play a match in the League of Nations-2024/2025 against the Czech Republic (kick-off at 9:45 PM). Here is an introduction to our opponent.

Czech Republic

General Information

Confederation: UEFA. Governing body: Football Association of the Czech Republic. As of July 2024, the Czech national team held the 47th place in the official FIFA ranking. The team's first match in history was played on February 23, 1994 against Turkey (4:1). Its biggest wins were achieved on June 4, 2005 against Andorra (8:1), October 7, 2006 and September 9, 2009 against San Marino (twice both by 7:0) and November 11, 2021 against Kuwait (7:0). The largest defeat was suffered on March 23, 2019 in a match against England (0:5). It is known as the "People's Team" and "Locomotive."

The Czech national team is the silver medalist of Euro-1996 and bronze medalist of Euro-2004. The team also has a bronze from the 1997 Confederations Cup.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Matěj Kovařík ("Bayern", Germany), Jakub Mareček ("Baník"), Adam Zadražil ("Hradec Králové").

Defenders: Vladimír Coufal ("West Ham", England), Robin Kranjčar ("Hoffenheim", Germany), Ladislav Krejčí ("Girona", Spain), David Zima ("Slavia"), Matěj Růžička, Martin Vittek, Jaroslav Želinka (all - "Slavia").

Midfielders: Václav Černý ("Rangers", Scotland), Alex Kral ("Espanyol", Spain), Ondřej Lengr ("Feyenoord", Netherlands), Tomáš Souček ("West Ham", England), Jakub Jankto ("Sampdoria", Italy), Matěj Hybš, Lukáš Provod (both - "Slavia"), Lukáš Kálva, Pavel Šulc (both - "Viktória").

Forwards: Patrik Schick ("Bayern", Germany), Adam Hložek ("Hoffenheim", Germany), Tomáš Čech ("Borussia" M, Germany), Tomáš Hořejší ("Slavia").

Head Coach

61-year-old specialist Ivan Hasek took charge of the Czech national team for a second time on January 4, 2024. He replaced Jaroslav Šilhavy.

Prior to this, Hasek worked as head coach of Prague's «Slavia», French «Strasbourg» and «Saint-Etienne», Japanese «Vissel Kobe», Emirati «Al-Wasl», «Al-Ahli», «Al-Fujairah» and «Emirates», Saudi Arabian «Al-Hilal». In 2009 he coached the Czech national team, and in 2021-2022 - the Lebanon national team.

With «Slavia» he won the Czech championship twice (1999/2000, 2000/2001), with «Al-Ahli» - the UAE Championship (2008/2009) and the UAE Super Cup (2009), with «Al-Hilal» - the Prince's Cup of Saudi Arabia (2011/2012).

Under Hasek in his second term, the Czech national team played 8 matches. The record shows 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses. The coach prefers a tactical formation of 3-1-4-2.

Leader

The undisputed leader of the Czech national team is 28-year-old forward of German «Bayern» Patrik Schick, who has 40 matches and 20 goals for the «People's Team».

Schick's career includes Prague's «Slavia» and «Bohemians 1905», Italian «Sampdoria» and «Roma», German «RB Leipzig». With «Slavia» he became the Czech champion (2013/2014), won the Cup (2013/2014) and the Czech Super Cup (2014). With «Bayern» he became the German champion (2023/2024), won the Cup (2023/2024) and the German Super Cup (2024).

Twice named Footballer of the Year in the Czech Republic (2021, 2022) and holder of the «Golden Ball of the Czech Republic» (2022). Won the «Silver Boot» at Euro 2020.

Patrik Schick primarily plays as a center forward, but can also play as a right winger. The striker excels in the second phase of play, is noted for his excellent ball control and strong finishing skills. The authoritative Transfermarkt portal values him at 22 million euros.