New Czech era begins in style

Defender Jakub Bures was the unlikely source of both the Czech Republic's goals as they got their UEFA European Under-21 Championship defence off to a winning start in Moldova.

Saturated stadium
The Czech side which took to the field at a saturated Dinamo stadium in Chisinau bore little resemblance to the one which won the European Championship in Switzerland in May following the graduation of the country's most promising young players into the senior ranks.

Rifled opener
However, Werner Licka's latest generation of Czech youngsters showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion, taking the game to their Group 3 rivals from the off. It took them 27 minutes to turn their possession into goals, FK Chmel Blšany player Bures rifling the opener following Radek Šírl's precise free-kick.

Three survivors
Tomáš Jun, one of only three survivors from the side which beat France in the Basel final along with Tomás Hrdlicka and Jan Polák, was guilty of some profligate finishing but Bures spared his blushes in the 63rd minute with another sweet strike, this time from outside the area.

Austria on top
The win lifts the Czechs into second place in the section. Austria are currently setting the pace after successive 1-0 wins against Belarus and, last night, Moldova. Belarus are the Czech Republic's next opponents on Wednesday in Liberec, 24 hours after Austria entertain the Netherlands.