TEAM

CZECH REPUBLIC

GROUP: F

PLAYER TO WATCH: Patrik Schick

EXPECTED FINISH: Group Stage

Czech Republic fixtures

This will be the eighth successive appearance for the Czech Republic at the European Championships, which is no small feat considering how many of the supposed ‘big nations’ have failed to qualify in recent years.

Perhaps they take inspiration from their prior successes in the competition and that moment in 1976 when Czechoslovakia lifted one of Europe’s most sought-after titles.

It was likely one of the reasons they defied expectations at the last Euros, making it to the quarter-finals before losing to Denmark 2-1 in a highly entertaining contest. How far Ivan Hašek’s team will go this time around will depend entirely on how fast they start.

Here are the Czech Republic’s Group F fixtures in full:

Portugal vs Czech Republic: June 18th (Leipzig Stadium)
Georgia vs Czech Republic: June 22nd (Volksparkstadion)
Czech Republic vs Turkey: June 26th (Volksparkstadion)

Portugal are the likely frontrunners of Group F, leaving the other three teams to battle it out for a precious spot in the round of 16.

On form alone, the Czech Republic look strongest to finish the group second with wins over Armenia, Norway and Moldova in their last three matches. That said, Turkey have beaten them three out of the four times they have played one another, including a 2-1 triumph in their last meeting.

Finishing the group in second could mean meeting France in the round of 16, which is arguably a lot more difficult than finishing a spot lower. Depending on their overall group performances, a third–place finish could result in Spain, Italy or England.

If Czech Republic were to win the group, they would likely play either Austria or Serbia but, to do that, they would have to beat the Group F favourites in their first match of the 2024 iteration.

Standings

Venues

Key players

Most of the Czech Republic squad play their club football in their homeland for the likes of FC Viktoria Plzen, Sparta Prague and Slavia Prague. Notably, the majority of them play for teams which have finished in the top three of their respective leagues this season. This could translate well in Germany – let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Patrik Schick

Caps (goals): 37 (18)

Position: Forward

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

One name likely comes to mind when you think of the Czech Republic national team: Patrik Schick. This will be the striker’s second European Championship – a competition he knows all so well having nearly won the Golden Boot at the last Euros with five goals. The star man will walk into the Euros with considerable momentum after playing a part in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning campaign.

Adam Hlozek

Caps (goals): 31 (2)

Position: Forward

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

At the tip of the spear alongside Schick is another Bayer Leverkusen player: Adam Hlozek. The 21-year-old is one of the youngest players in this Czech Republic squad but has already picked up 31 caps. He featured in every game at the last European Championships but didn’t make too much of an impact. Featuring more than 30 times for a team which reached 50 games unbeaten in quite the confidence booster, though, making him a potential dark horse for the Young Player of the Tournament award.

Tomas Soucek

Caps (goals): 68 (12)

Position: Midfielder

Club: West Ham

One Premier League player will definitely be looking to burst some bubbles this summer and that’s West Ham’s Tomas Soucek. A key part of the Czech Republic’s setup, Soucek is a defensive workhorse, responsible for making 15 tackles in eight games during qualifying (more than any other member of the team). That sort of tenacity could be the difference-maker against strong opposition like Portugal in Group F.

Previous performances in the Euros

The Czech Republic have an illustrious history in this competition. As Czechoslovakia, the team competed in three European Championships, finishing in third place twice and winning it completely in 1976. When the team stood alone as the Czech Republic in 1994, they continued to find success, reaching the final in 1996 and making it to the quarter-finals or higher on multiple occasions.

Here’s the full breakdown of how the Czech Republic have performed in the Euros over the years:

1960: Semi-finals (lost 3-0 to the Soviet Union)
1964: Did not qualify
1968: Did not qualify
1972: Did not qualify
1976: Winners (beat West Germany on penalties)
1980: Third place (beat Italy on penalties)
1984: Did not qualify
1988: Did not qualify
1992: Did not qualify
1996: Second place (lost 2-1 to Germany in final)
2000: Group stage (third in Group D)
2004: Semi-finals (lost 1-0 to Greece)
2008: Group stage (third in Group A)
2012: Quarter-finals (lost 1-0 to Portugal)
2016: Group stage (fourth in Group D)
2020: Quarter-finals (lost 2-1 to Denmark)

Expectations

Like the last European Championships, the Czech Republic have a tough task in front of them if they want to get out of the group and follow in the footsteps of their history.

The game against Turkey in Group F could decide how their summer plays out. Finishing third in the section could be game over for them as it would mean facing one of the favourites or simply not qualifying for the round of 16 at all.

Check out our Czech Republic betting odds for all our latest prices throughout the European Championships.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change