Czechs get one over on finals opponents Ukraine

The Czech Republic began their preparations for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals with a narrow victory against opponents they will renew acquaintances with in Denmark next year.

Jakub Dovalil's side were widely tipped as favourites when the draw was made last week, with Ukraine, England and Spain joining them in Group B. They just about lived up to those expectations in their first friendly since qualifying, midfielder Václav Kadlec proving particularly pivotal by scoring one and creating the other.

The 18-year-old Kadlec, who made his senior debut against Liechtenstein last month, was swift to influence proceedings against an experimental Ukraine side. It was he who teed up Jan Vošahlík for a seventh-minute header as visiting goalkeeper Maxym Koval endured a testing opening period.

The FC Dynamo Kyiv custodian pulled off a number of fine stops – including denying Libor Kozák when he was clean through – but was powerless to deny Kadlec’s cheeky back-heel four minutes before half-time. Jan Kovařík also struck the woodwork before the visitors found their stride in the second period. Fielding a young side, Ukraine halved the deficit through Kyryl Petrov's header eight minutes from time and so nearly salvaged a draw, Denis Garmash's effort striking a post.