Slovakia ready for Czech reunion

The stakes are high in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group D as the Czech Republic and Slovakia meet for only the fifth time since the nations went their separate ways in 1993.

Amicable separation
Having been joined together as the old Czechoslovakia for seven decades before their amicable split, the two countries have faced each other infrequently on the football field. They drew 1-1 in a 1995 friendly before trading victories in 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Most recently, Jan Koller and Tomáš Rosický scored two apiece as the Czechs defeated their neighbours 4-1 in a 2002 friendly in Olomouc.

Competitive group
If that loss rankles with members of the Slovakia side at the Tehelné Pole stadium in Bratislava on Wednesday, both teams will be aware that there is more to play for than national pride. Group D will be fiercely contested, with the likes of Germany and the Republic of Ireland also battling for the two places on offer in the finals.

'Public interest'
Slovakia have reason to feel positive having won their opening qualifier 6-1 at home to Cyprus. "We played very well, but in front of a modest crowd," said coach Dušan Galis. "I hope this result will awaken public interest, meaning a full house against the Czech Republic to create a proper football atmosphere."

Šebo double
Filip Šebo scored twice on Saturday to take his tally to five goals from his first two internationals, but he insists a tougher test is to come. "It was a nice start to the qualifiers and raises our self-confidence, but we must not get carried away," he said. Midfielder Marek Mintál, back after long-term injury, sounds similarly cautious. "Six goals were the best warm-up for Wednesday, but we must be careful," he said. "The Czechs are in a totally different footballing bracket to Cyprus."

Repeat performance
While Slovakia were brushing aside Cyprus, the Czechs scraped a 2-1 home win against Wales – something that Dušan Švento, one of two SK Slavia Praha players in Slovakia's squad, saw as encouraging. "Maybe the Czechs will respect us a little bit more after our 6-1 victory and their problems against Wales, but we have to take care and repeat our performance," he said.

Pressure game
Czech Republic defender David Rozehnal is certainly aware that his team – traditionally the stronger of the two nations – cannot expect an easy ride. "Slovakia's six goals are a warning for us," he said. "This game will be harder than the one against Wales but we are in a good mood now. We were under huge pressure before the kick-off but we coped very well."

Familiar territory
That pressure will abate little as the Tehelné Pole clash approaches, though at least visiting coach Karel Brückner will be on familiar ground. Having led Slovakian sides MŠK Žilina and Inter Bratislava, he was also in charge of the Czech Republic squad that lost 2-1 to Italy in the final of the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship at the stadium. "It will be a very prestigious game," said Brückner's goalkeeper Petr Čech. "Both countries are feeling confident after Saturday's victories, but the Slovak players might get too excited like they used to in ice hockey matches!"