The Czech Republic are facing Montenegro at home in the first leg of the Euro 2012 playoffs Friday, uncertain whether their star keeper Petr Cech will come to terms with his broken nose in time to play.
The Czechs are eyeing their fifth European championships in a row, while Montenegro, the youngest UEFA member that emerged in 2006 as the country gained independence on Serbia, are eager to advance to their first major tournament.
Montenegro, who finished second behind England and ahead of Switzerland, Wales and Bulgaria in their qualifying group, have named an injury-free team led by star Serie A strikers Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic.
The Czechs, who took second spot in their group behind Spain and ahead of Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein, will miss suspended midfielder Tomas Hubschman in both games and defender Roman Hubnik in the home tie.
But their biggest cause for concern is Chelsea keeper Cech, who broke his nose in a clash with teammate Ashley Cole in Chelsea's 1-0 win at Blackburn last Saturday.
Cech, who already wears protective headgear following a skull fracture six years ago, has had a special mask made in Italy, but he had doubts about his appearance as he landed in Prague on Wednesday.
"It still hurts. The mask protects me from further injuries, but the question is whether I'll be able to play at 100 percent," said Cech, adding he would know more after Thursday's official practice.
"If the game were today, I definitely wouldn't play," said the 29-year-old keeper, whose portraits in Batman or Darth Vader disguises have become viral since last weekend.
But he managed the entire practice on Wednesday without any relief.
Defence might be key for the Czechs against the team that scored two draws against England in the qualifying group.
Montenegro rely on in-form Juventus striker Vucinic, with 11 goals from 25 games for the national team, and Fiorentina forward Jovetic with five goals in ten Serie A games so far this season.
"I'm very pleased with the players' recent performances. The way they play is amazing. And it's not only Jovetic and Vucinic who's in top shape," said Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic.
Jovetic showed lots of self-confidence when he described the Czech Republic as "the easiest possible rival" for the playoffs.
"But we still have to take them very seriously... we are definitely facing two difficult games," he said in a newspaper interview.
Source: AFP
Source: AFP