Five facts about the Czech Republic ahead of Euro 2016 where they face Spain, Croatia and Turkey in Group D.
MUST READ: Five things you need to know about Croatia
MUST READ: Five things you need to know about Spain
MUST READ: Five things you need to know about Turkey
MUST READ: All you need to know about GROUP A, GROUP B, GROUP C, GROUP D, GROUP E, GROUP F
1) Lucky sixes
Two Euro tournaments have so far been played in years ending with a 'six', and the Czechs made a mark at both.
In 1976, former Czechoslovakia, which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, won the title in a penalty drama in Belgrade following a 2-2 draw in the final against Germany.
Antonin Panenka converted the final kick as he introduced his falling-leaf penalty style. Twenty years later, the Czechs lost 2-1 to Germany in extra time at Wembley to take silver.
2) Leaky defence
In 19 games under coach Pavel Vrba, the Czechs have not managed a single clean sheet, despite having the reliable Petr Cech in the goal most of the time.
(Last December Cech set the English Premier League record of 174 clean sheets in December).
Vrba has yet to find two stable centre-backs, with Basel's Marek Suchy and Bursaspor's Tomas Sivok looking like an option.
The next opportunity to finally grab a zero will be the first game at the Euro -- against Spain.
3) The Rosicky factor
Will he play or will he not?
Tomas Rosicky has played 100 games for the Czech national team since his international debut in 2000, but the figure could have been much higher if it had not been for injuries.
The 35-year-old Arsenal midfielder and Czech Republic captain has managed just one league game since picking up an injury in a Euro qualifier in Iceland in June 2015.
Coach Pavel Vrba has said seeing Rosicky play was the only condition he had before calling the stalwart up.
"For Arsenal's first team or academy, it doesn't matter," Vrba said. "There's no point in discussing his qualities as a player."
4) Drunk-driving defender
David Limbersky, the first choice on the left-hand side of the Czech defence, added a few wrinkles to Vrba's forehead after slamming his Bentley into a fence while drink driving last September.
The 32-year-old Viktoria Pilsen icon tried to flee the accident but was quickly caught by a policeman who, fans said, would thus deserve a spot on the national team.
Limbersky, who caused damage worth over 18,500 euros ($21,000) to his car, faced up to three years in prison but a court shelved the case in January after Limbersky had paid the damage and promised not to drive for a year.
5) Six in a row
While world cups are a rare pleasure for the Czechs, they have not missed a single Euro since 1996, a feat rivalled only by France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
After finishing second in 1996, they took the bronze in 2004 with a star-laden midfield comprising Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky, Vladimir Smicer, Tomas Rosicky and Tomas Galasek behind their offensive weapon Milan Baros, the tournament's top scorer with five goals in as many games.
AFP
Thu May 12 2016
Euro 2016: Group D - Czech Republic
Hyundai to invest RM2.16 bil in Malaysia through strategic partnership with INOKOM
This investment includes efforts to upgrade INOKOM's existing assembly capacity to meet Hyundai's automotive needs.
‘C4Cinta’ sets record as highest-grossing Malaysian Tamil film
'C4Cinta', directed by young filmmaker Karthik Shamalan, has set a new benchmark in Malaysian Tamil cinema.
Man charged with mother's murder, storing body in freezer
The court denied bail and scheduled case mention on Feb 7 for the submission of forensic, autopsy, and chemist reports.
Abolition of examination in schools to reduce pressure on pupils - Fadhlina
The classroom assessment approach offers a much more interesting learning ecosystem, says Fadhlina Sidek.
Google, Meta urge Australia to delay bill on social media ban for children
Google and Meta says the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before going ahead.
Judge tosses Trump 2020 election case after prosecutors' request
It represents a big legal victory for Donald Trump, who won the Nov. 5 US election and is set to return to office on Jan. 20.
DHL plane crash in Lithuania leaves authorities searching for answers
Rescue services said the plane hit the ground, split into pieces and slid over 100 metres (110 yards).
National squad to hold friendly matches for 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup
The warm-up matches will involve matches against better ranked teams in the world, namely Austria (first) and Belgium (third).
G7 seeks unity on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The United States, part of the G7, has rejected the ICC decision, with President Joe Biden describing it as outrageous.
Francissca Peter remembers Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab: A tribute to a musical legend
A legend who has influenced our music for decades, was one of the highlights of my career, says Francissca Peter.
TikTok decision coming soon as Jan. 19 divestment deadline looms
Judges are reviewing TikTok's challenge to a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
Lebanese sources: Biden, Macron set to announce Israel-Hezbollah truce
In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done".
PM meets chaebol tycoon to attract more FDI to Malaysia
Chaebols are prominent figures from South Korea's family-owned conglomerates.
Govt won't allow non-citizen vehicles to enjoy RON95 subsidy - Economy Ministry
The implementation of the RON95 subsidy in 2025 is expected to provide savings of RM3.6 billion to government expenditure.
Ringgit opens lower as greenback gains ground
Dr Mohd Afzanizam says the market responded positively to news of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent heading the US Treasury Department.
Management of low-cost housing, gov't quarters, focus at Dewan Rakyat today
Also among the highlights, UNICEF report on 12.3pct of teenagers in Klang Valley's PPR face mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
UN Resolution 1701, cornerstone of any Israel-Hezbollah truce
Here are the resolution's main terms, and a note about subsequent violations and tensions.
Record aid worker deaths in 2024 in 'era of impunity', UN says
So far this year there have been 281 aid worker victims, according to the Aid Worker Security database.
Why India's toxic farm fire counting method is disputed
Here's how India counts farm fires - a major contributor to severe pollution in the north - and why its method is being questioned.
Divisions on curbing plastic waste persist as UN treaty talks begin
South Korea is hosting the fifth and ostensibly final UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting this week.