The Czech Republic are carrying major injury worries into the UEFA European Under 21 Championship after captain Martin Latka was forced to withdraw just four days before the tourney begins. Latka was unable to recover from a thigh injury sustained on May 28 when he was playing for SK Slavia Praha.

Coach Ladislav Škorpil has elected to replace him with Martin Kuncl, who was the tsar for 1. FC Brno last season as they claimed the fifth spot. The coach has also elected to include left-back Michal Kadlec and forward Jan Blažek into his 23-man squad despite the duo missing most of the domestic season due to injuries. Dead-ball specialist Ladislav Volešá does not find a place in the squad, while only two foreign based players in the form of Bayer 04 Leverkusen forward Michal Papadopulos and FK Moskva central defender Roman Hubník find a place in the Czech Republic squad.

The Czech Republic are also without the services of striker Tomáš Frejlach who played a major role in the qualifiers with three goals. Also missing is midfielder Mario Holek, who has failed to recover from an ankle strain. SK Sigma Olomouc midfielder Filip Rýde and FC Viktoria Plzeň forward Tomáš Krbeček are replacing the injured duo. The Czech Republic begin their campaign against England on June 11.

Meanwhile the England squad looks very good on paper with big names like Kieran Richardson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Steven Taylor, Tom Huddlestone and Leroy Lita all firing in the 5-0 win against Slovakia in their final warm-up game before the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Coach Start Pearce has stressed on penalties as he feels they might play an important role. "I've been to three championships and lost two on penalties," said Pearce. "It might just be the thing that wins us the trophy."

Preston striker David Nugent also makes it to the team, which looks like challenging the Netherlands on their home soil.