Czechs have nothing to lose in final
By Vic Mills
LONDON (JP): It may not be the game that either the host nation or UEFA's officials wanted, but in a few hours time the players of Germany and the Czech Republic will walk onto the green acres of Wembley to contest the final of Euro 96.
Four years ago, Germany lost the European Championships to underdogs, Denmark. The German arrogance displayed before the final in Gothenburg will probably not rear its head this time, because the Czechs have nothing to lose and there is no better frame of mind than that when the stakes are so high.
The development of coach Dusan Uhrin's side in the tournament has been idiosyncratic and deadly. All its fear was seemingly jettisoned in the opening match, lost feebly to Germany, and the experience of defeat that day has acted as a liberation.
Of that 2-0 defeat, central defender Jan Suchoparek said: "It was a tactical trick to confuse our enemies." He had a twinkle in his eyes but so unfamiliar are the Czechs no one was quite sure whether he was joking.
Not taking the competition too seriously appears to have been the making of this team. After its victory over Italy, it stayed up all night. After its quarterfinal success, however, it partied only until 2 a.m. And after defeating France on penalties the team had dinner and went straight to bed. It appears the enormity of its achievement is beginning to hit home.
The secret of its success is based on Ceska Ulicka or "Czech Alley". The simple translation of which is a devastating pass from a midfield player to the feet of a striker who then scores - that is Ceska Ulicka and so far it has confused sides that ought to know better.
One man to benefit from this simplicity of style is Karel Poborsky. The Slavia Prague forward, scorer of arguably the best goal in the tournament, his gentle arching lob against Portugal, is seemingly unstoppable.
His boundless energy takes him on sprint after sprint down the right flank. His crosses are penetrative and his composure in front of goal, startling.
To the form of Poborsky can be added a sizable degree of inside knowledge of the Czech Republic's Wembley opponent. Five players - Latak, Kadlec, Nemec, Kuka and Berger - all play their football in Germany's Bundesliga.
Three weeks ago the Czech Republic was 66-1 outsider to win Euro 96. Last night the London bookmaking fraternity quoted it at 11-5. Not bad for a bunch of partyboys.
Favorite from day one, Germany's renowned resilience will be pushed to the limit at Wembley. Injuries and bookings have gradually mounted since its opening win against the Czechs and its initial 22-strong squad is fast becoming subject to the Law of Diminishing Returns. With UEFA's blessing, it will add Jens Todt to its squad for the final.
Germany lost defender Jurgen Kohler with knee ligament damage, and midfielder Mario Basler with ankle problems early in the tournament. On returning home, they were soon joined by Fredi Bobic, the striker, who fractured a shoulder.
Juergen Klinsmann has a torn calf muscle and Thomas Helmer, Steffan Freund and Christian Ziege sustained injuries in the victory over England on Wednesday. Andy Moller and Stefan Reuter received their second cautions of the tournament in that game and will miss the final.
On a more positive note, it has, in sweeper Mathias Sammer, one of the most influential players in the tournament. A week ago, in that sour quarterfinal, when Klinsmann limped away and Croatia came more and more into the game, Sammer took control. Always looking to go forward, this time he mover into midfield proving, once again, that he is a key attacking force.
Sammer has been described as the best German sweeper since Der Kaiser himself, Franz Beckenbauer - and, better defensively. Like Beckenbauer, he began as a midfield player, and although in this tournament he has been an important figure for Germany defensively, he has also got forward with more frequency, and more purpose, than any Germany sweeper since Der Kaiser.
The second meeting of these two teams in the tournament offers the prospect of a compelling contest. The Czechs are on a roll, back to full strength and under no pressure; a team of partyboys set possibly for the greatest fling of their lives.
Germany, in contrast, notwithstanding its penalty-kick, has faltered, lost key players through injury and suspension, and seen its air of invincibility eroded.
Heaven forbid, but should the sides fail to produce a positive result in normal or extra-time then the penalty shoot-out will again come into play. In this, history favors the Czechs. For the two sides, albeit in the guise of Czechoslovakia and West Germany, contested the 1976 final in Belgrade with the Czechs running out winner 5-4 on penalties after drawing 2-2 after extra time.