Extra rest day puts off the Czechs

Rest could be the key to the Czech Republic’s “heaven or hell” semi-final against Greece on Thursday, Czech coach Karel Bruec...

Rest could be the key to the Czech Republic’s “heaven or hell” semi-final against Greece on Thursday, Czech coach Karel Brueckner says.

Most of the team who beat Denmark 3-0 in Sunday’s Euro 2004 quarter-final had been left out of the Czechs’ final group match against Germany because Brueckner’s squad had already qualified, and they looked fresher for it. After keeping the Danes at bay in the first 45 minutes, the Czechs hit three second-half goals past tiring opponents. But the Czechs fear the boot will be on the other foot in Thursday’s semifinal.

“The Greeks have a certain advantage over us because they have had more rest. We have had three days less time to recover than those teams that were in Group A, like Greece,” said Brueckner.

The Greeks began the tournament on June 12 with their shock defeat of Portugal while the Czechs’ Group D Started on June 15. Greece beat France in their quarter-final on Friday and will have had plenty of time to prepare for their next game. “When you come to a tournament like this, you plan for six matches in the time allowed,” Brueckner said.

Nine players were dropped for the Germany game, which the Czechs won 2-1, and the Danes were swept aside in the second half with two goals from Milan Baros and one from Jan Koller. “We had enough energy and power to come good because we preserved some energy against Germany,” Brueckner said. “Our play was a bit different from the group games because it was a knockout match — there are no second chances. “Only victory is a success now, defeat is a tragedy. It is like heaven and hell. But we are through to the semi-finals and that is a success as far as I am concerned.”

Sunday’s win, achieved through defensive solidity in the opening half and lightning attacks mixing power with precision in the second, has made the Czechs 11-8 tournament favourites.

(Reuters)