As the Czech Republic dramatically crashed out of Euro 2008, goalkeeper Petr Cech was left to reflect on what might have been. With 15 minutes of the crucial Group A game remaining against Turkey, the Czech’s were seemingly heading to a comfortable 2-0 victory and a place in the quarter finals. However, 3 goals in the last part of the game dramatically altered events.

Uncharacteristically, Cech was at fault for Turkey’s equalizer. After coming out to claim what appeared to be a routine catch, the Chelsea goalkeeper dropped the ball to Turkey striker Nihat who gleefully slotted into the empty goal. This visually shook the whole team and minutes later, Nihat’s second, sent the Czech Republic home.

For Cech, it completes a season of misery. He has suffered several injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for Chelsea, including the incident in training which left him needing 50 stitches after a collision with team mate Tal Ben Haim.

He also felt the pain of defeat after being beaten twice by Manchester United for the two major honors of the season – the Premier League and the Champions League. Cech was also at fault earlier in the season after not claiming the ball that led to Tottenham defeating Chelsea in the League Cup.

After the game, a disappointed Cech said “'I know the mistake I made for their second goal is the reason we are going home. That incident for me sums up my whole season. When you make a mistake you have to admit it…The only positive thing about this season is that it's over. It was unbelievable, just bad luck after bad luck”.