Previous World Cup 2006 – Czech Republic
Absolute odds: 33/1
Group E winners: 9/4
The Czech Republic may be ranked by FIFA as the second best team in the world behind Brazil and the best in Europe, but they did a great job to qualify for the final. Facing the Netherlands in qualifying, they lost home and away and also suffered a defeat in Romania to finish second in the group. They won both home and away 1-0 against Norway in the play-offs to secure their place in Germany.
Despite a nervous qualification, expectations are high this time for the Czechs’ first appearance in the final since entering as Czechoslovakia in 1990. The team has not been out of the FIFA top six since 2004 and can no longer be labeled underdogs or outsiders. Under their old guise, they finished runners-up twice in both 1934 and 1962 and have the ability to improve this time around.
For many of the current team, it is now or never, as the returning strike force of Tomas Galasek, Karel Poborsky, Jan Koller and Pavel Nedved are entering the veteran stage of their careers. They all made their mark a decade ago when the Czech Republic shocked everyone by reaching the Euro 96 final and taking eventual winners Germany to extra time.
Under Karel Bruckner, who took over in 2001 after a successful spell as under-21 coach, the Czechs can be a real force to be reckoned with. No one scored more goals in the European qualifying campaign than Bruckner’s team, and that’s hardly surprising given his choice of tactics.
The Czechs play a cocky attacking style of football that can be impressive to watch. Who can forget their classic Euro 2004 against the Netherlands in which they came from 2-0 down to win the game 3-2?
With Nedved, Galasek, Poborsky and Tomas Rosicky, the Czechs have one of the most creative midfields in international football. Jan Koller scored nine times in qualifying to take his tally to 40 goals in 66 appearances, but he is in danger of missing the final after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in September 2005.
While they are almost unstoppable in attack, where the Czechs fall short is in defense. Full-backs Marek Jankulovski and Zdenek Grygera offer plenty of attacking support from behind, but are prone to getting caught. But given his overall skill, it’s worth shouting to win the tournament with high odds.
Recommended bet:
At odds above 2/1, the Czechs offer much more value than Italy to win the group given their attacking power. According to FIFA, the Czechs are the best team in Europe, but the bookies don’t like their odds given the odds on offer. At 33/1, the Czechs offer good value each way to win the tournament outright.
Czech Republic win Group E @ 9/4
E/O Czech Republic to win the World Cup @ 33/1