Jubilant Jeleček aims for final glory

Tomáš Jeleček is dreaming of lifting the trophy after playing a significant role in helping the Czech Republic reach the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final.

With his side 2-0 up on Serbia in their semi-final thanks to goals from Tomáš Přikryl and Tomáš Kalas, the left-back stepped up to make it three from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after Přikryl had been brought down by Darko Brašanac, nervelessly directing the spot kick beyond the dive of Nikola Perić. Although that three-goal cushion all but disappeared within ten minutes, the Czechs clung on, substitute Jiří Skalák adding an added-time fourth to wrap up a 4-2 win and leave Jeleček ecstatic.

"It's an amazing feeling for me," the defender, who also converted a penalty in the 3-1 defeat of hosts Romania on Matchday 1, told UEFA.com. "When we came here we thought it would be great if we could qualify from the group and now we are so close to being the best of the best. I am incredibly happy."

The Czechs have won all four of their games in Romania and are unbeaten in nine competitive matches, winning the last six. Jeleček pointed to the way they reacted when Djordje Despotović pulled two goals back for Serbia within ten minutes of his penalty as the key factor in their latest success, saying: "Perhaps this was the hardest match so far. The most important moment was after Despotović's second goal, when we managed to come together and play more like we know we can."

Tough opposition in high temperatures are an energy-sapping combination, although the 1. FC Slovácko full-back believes his side's results are the perfect fillip. "It is difficult to play so many tough matches in such a short space of time but we get over all difficulties as a united team and we'll deal with fatigue, muscle problems, knocks and anything else," he said. "In any case, any trace of tiredness is wiped out by a victory."

The Czechs have certainly enjoyed plenty of those in recent times, and Jeleček had barely finished celebrating the semi-final success before he was looking ahead to what the final might hold. "Being undefeated in a tournament like this, against some of the best teams in Europe, is fantastic," he added. "This makes us stronger and more confident. We cannot wait to play the final."

Waiting there are four-time winners – and 2010 runners-up – Spain, and Jeleček is desperate for his side to join their final opponents as winners of the U19 competition. "Spain are a very good team but I believe in us – after all, we have a 50% chance of winning," he said. "The match on Monday will be the most important of my career so far and I have no words to describe the feelings I have now. A final is not played every day."