The Czechs have managed to qualify for every European Championship since they began competing as an independent state in 1994 but so so far nothing has topped their debut performance at Euro 96 in England, writes David Toms.
With the winter break over, David Toms travels to Olomouc to see Bohemians take on SK Sigma Olomouc in the latest in his ongoing series following the Czech football club.
“Although Slavia-Sparta is the most intense rivalry given both clubs’ success, this is surely the most localised in Prague.” Ex-pat David Toms’ love affair with his adopted club continues as he takes in another dramatic derby in the Czech capital, Slavia Prague v Bohemians.
In his latest column from the Czech Republic, ex-pat David Toms updates us on the progress of adopted club Bohemians 05 and contemplates the difficult pleasure of the score draw
as the build-up to the Prague derby begins in earnest.
Bohemians 1905 versus FK Příbram. In his second column from Prague, ex-pat David Toms updates us on the fortunes of his adopted club in a new city, but not before seeking out a decent pre-match taste of home.
The acclaim which greeted the on-field arrival of Derry’s James McClean during last Wednesday’s game with the Czech Republic was like the return of the messiah. For many, his inclusion on the plane to Poland in the summer seems a foregone conclusion. And this gives Trapattoni a major media headache.
James McClean-mania has reached fever pitch in some quarters but Giovanni Trapattoni is not going to drastically change tactics at this point. The amount of previews of the Czech game suggesting McClean would start on the left were scarcely credible and against everything we have learned from the Trap era.
We hope James McClean gets his chance against the Czech Republic and goes all Yippee Kay Olé on their asses.
James McClean’s call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for next week’s friendly with the Czech Republic casts the spot-light once more on the domestic game’s role in the development of international-calibre players.
