Friendships on hold in Prague

Club ties will be loosened in Prague on Saturday as team-mates from some of Europe's leading clubs meet in the Czech Republic's game against Germany.

Massively oversubscribed
Tickets for the meeting between Group D's top sides are in massive demand in Prague. The 20,000-capacity Sparta Stadium could have been sold out five times over and television adverts have been billing the contest as a true battle between neighbours. However, while much prestige is at stake, the relationships between the two sets of players remain extremely cordial.

Former roommates
Having been room-mates at BV Borussia Dortmund, Tomáš Rosický still phones German international Christoph Metzelder from time to time. The Czech playmaker is in more regular contact with Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann at Arsenal FC, although he has resisted the temptation to talk too much about Saturday's match, explaining: "I didn't want to provoke him."

Penalty threat
Elsewhere in London, Czech goalkeeper Petr Čech regularly spars with Germany captain Michael Ballack at Chelsea FC, but "had no time" to discuss their upcoming meeting prior to heading for Prague. Čech added: "Michael is in great shape now. I hope he doesn't get a penalty as he often beats me from the spot in training at Chelsea."

Friendly call
Hamburger SV team-mates David Jarolím and Piotr Trochowski are preparing to come face to face too. "We started our careers together in the [FC] Bayern München youth side," Jarolím recalled. "Piotr moved into my flat and even followed me to Hamburg later. I am looking forward to giving him a ring before the game."

Silent treatment
If Jarolím intends to enjoy some gentle goading, however, he may be disappointed. Tomáš Galásek, who plays in the Bundesliga for 1. FC Nürnberg, has been struck by the lack of antagonism between the German and Czech players, comparing the current situation to his time at AFC Ajax. "It was far worse before our games against the Netherlands," he said. "They all tried to wind me up. The Germans didn't talk about the game at all."

Strong squad
Perhaps they will let their feet do the talking on the pitch. Germany will be looking to avenge the 2-1 defeat at UEFA EURO 2004™ which saw Karel Brückner's Czechs seal their group-stage exit. However, with a full squad to choose from, Czech Republic defender Tomáš Ujfaluši feels quietly confident. "We are at home with a full-strength squad while they have several players missing," he said. "Miroslav Klose's suspension could be an advantage."