The Hamburg Philharmonic is serving up Tchaikovsky tonight. Ivan Hašek’s eleven-member orchestra is preparing the composition Má vlast kráčí for the round of 16. There is a duel with Georgia, from which the Czechs have to grab points for the Euros!
When the ME was drawn in the Hamburg Philharmonic on December 2 last year, perhaps everyone stated that the Czechs liked this composition called Group F and that they had promotion prospects.
So Hašek didn’t say that, he wasn’t a coach at the time – it was easier for others. It remains only to be confirmed in two clashes in the Volkspark Arena, not far from the famous concert hall. “The match against Georgia is crucial for our chances of reaching the round of 16. I believe it will be a more even match than against Portugal, we have to add a better performance.” said Jindřich Staněk, the hero of the failed premiere from Leipzig.
His place in the goal is almost certain, but there are going to be changes in the field. Matěj Jurásk probably won’t be able to do it, but he said it clearly: “We have six points from the two remaining group games!” The victory, if it is enough for the third place in the group, should be enough in itself to progress.
A draw will keep hope alive. A loss would put the team in front of having to beat Turkey by a higher margin and hope for a coincidence of favorable circumstances.
Who will (not) play?
Even the arrival of Barák at the pre-match press conference indicated that Antonín should be the one to come up with something against Georgia. He would probably push Šulce out of the lineup. A change in attack is also very likely, Hložek instead of Kuchta. If David Jurásek starts for Douděra, there would be three changes compared to Portugal. It is hard to expect more of them.
Vladimír Coufal performed the weakest performance in the Czech jersey against Portugal so far
