Preview: Czech Republic vs. Poland
Czech Republic and Poland start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaigns when they meet in Prague on Friday.
As the two standout favourites in Group E, both nations will expect to secure automatic qualification for the finals.
Czech Republic begin their qualifying campaign knowing that they have a proud record to uphold, having reached every European Championship finals since becoming an independent nation.
Their first was back in Euro 96 when they reached the final, and they have gone on to make two quarter-finals and a semi-final since then too.
That has made up for their hopeless record at qualifying for World Cups, as they have made just one (2006) in seven attempts.
The draw has been favourable to the Czechs though, and realistically they should have no problem maintaining that excellent record in Group E.
The top two will progress automatically and the other three sides in the group, Moldova, Albania and Faroe Islands, have just one finals appearance between them.
This is on paper the toughest game they will face, and the Czechs’ recent form has been peculiar to say the least.
They have lost five of their last six matches, causing relegation from the UEFA Nations League in 2022, but they have only suffered defeat once in their last 13 home games.
Their last qualifying campaign provided no success as they failed to reach the 2022 World Cup, but they were quarter-finalists at Euro 2020, a run which included Patrik Schick scoring the goal of the tournament and a famous last-16 win over the Netherlands.
This fixture will mark a new era for Poland, and for new manager Fernando Santos too, after he left his post as Portugal manager following eight years in charge.
Santos has replaced Czeslaw Michniewicz, who left after Poland’s elimination from the World Cup in December.
Poland’s exit in the last 16 was to be expected against France, but despite also reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1986, there was heavy criticism for the manager and the squad.
The entertainment factor was questioned as Poland scraped through their group on goal difference with four points even though they scored just twice, both against Saudi Arabia.
Santos is known for his similarly pragmatic approach, but success at Euro 2016 and the 2018-19 Nations League suggests it is effective.
Poland have lost just one of their last seven away matches, winning in Wales and drawing against the Dutch, but that one defeat was a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Belgium.
The last competitive meeting against the sides saw Poland lose in Wroclaw at their home Euros back in 2012, with the Czechs winning 1-0, condemning Poland to a bottom-place finish in Group A.
Czech Republic form (all competitions):
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Poland form (all competitions):
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We say: Czech Republic 1-1 Poland
With star talent in both attacks, that should be where the game is won, but Santos’s appointment as Poland boss should see them remain strong defensively.
A draw would not be a bad result for either side, as long as they can beat the other three weaker nations in their group.