Chelsea’s Petr Cech: The Czech Republic are in ‘very special’ group

Petr Cech admits it will be tough for the Czech Republic to emerge from a “very special group” as the Chelsea goalkeeper hopes to emulate the achievements of his countrymen at Euro 96.

The Czechs will face 2008 semi-finalists Russia in their Group A opener in Wroclaw next week, with 2004 winners Greece and co-hosts Poland completing the line-up.

And Cech, who is fresh from winning the FA Cup and Champions League with the Blues, admits progressing to the knock-out stages will be a difficult task for the Euro 96 finalists.

“It’s a very special group, in the sense all of the teams are very even,” Cech told Uefa.com.

“If you look at all four teams in the group, you could randomly choose any two different teams, and each time, there would be a possibility those two teams could get through.

“I think it’s very even and anything can happen, which makes the group very interesting.

“I don’t think that one team will win every match and another loses each of their games. I think there will be draws, and every goal and point will count, so it will be very interesting from the start.”

Meanwhile, Dynamo Moscow midfielder Igor Semshov believes Russia will be an unknown quantity at the European championship, with Dick Advocat’s side in transition.

“[Russia are] the same as Greece,” he said. “They are also going through a change of generations. Each team has its leaders. Nobody knows what to expect, because everything will depend on how well they prepare for the Euros, and what shape their best players are in.”

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