Lafata an instant hit for Czechs

David Lafata is hard at work today with the Czech Republic squad preparing for a titanic UEFA EURO 2008™ tussle with neighbours Slovakia on Wednesday, yet will be forgiven if his mind wanders a little during training.

Terrific start
The 24-year-old FK Jablonec 97 forward was only drafted into the national team a week ago after injuries had hit Karel Brückner's plans. It was Lafata's first call-up and just reward for a terrific start to the Czech season. Jablonec have won two and drawn two of their opening five games, with Lafata scoring all four of their goals. "I didn't discover him," said Brückner. "He has proven his qualities."

Instant impact
Lafata was on the bench on Saturday night as the new-look Czechs took on Wales in Teplice in their first Group D qualifier. The match was goalless when Marek Kulič made way for Lafata in the 75th minute. Seconds later, the home side were ahead with the in-form replacement latching on to a cross from his room-mate Libor Sionko. Wales looked likely to get a point when Martin Jiránek put through his own net five minutes from time, but Lafata was not finished. In the 89th minute, Sionko crossed again and the debutant made it 2-1.

Koller help
"This is beyond my wildest dreams as I was expecting to spend the game on the bench," said Lafata, who admitted that he froze after scoring his first. "I wasn't ready for it, I have never played in front of such a big crowd and I didn't know what you are supposed to do when you score for the national team. But Jan Koller came over and showed me the way to celebrate." Should Lafata find the net again in Bratislava on Wednesday, even a veteran like Koller might struggle for advice.