april-2012

[ cover feature ]
EURO 2012
64 WIZZ MAGAZINE // APRIL/MAY 2012
THE STAR
GOALKEEPER
A Czech football victory
is in the hands of its
legendary keeper
Words Julie O’Shea
The “King of Czech Football” rarely concedes a
goal. Petr Cech, known for his razor-like focus, is
a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.
“Petr Cech is one of the most prominent
figures of the Czech national team,” says Petr
Kovar, spokesman for the FA of the Czech
Republic. “He can read the game very well.”
He also inspires confidence in other players.
“They know that with him in goal they have
great support,” says Kovar.
The star goalie was temporarily sidelined
in 2006 with a depressed skull fracture. He
returned three months later, with a rugby-like
scrum cap, which became his trademark.
His lengthy career has taken him from
the Czech Republic (Sparta Praha) to France
(Rennes) and finally to England, where he’s been
playing for Chelsea since 2004. During his first
season with the London clu club, Cech established a
league record for going 1,025 1,0 minutes without
conceding a goal. In 2010, the International
Federation of Football History Histo & Statistics
honoured Cech’s achievements.
achievem
It came two years afte after uncharacteristic
late-game errors against again Turkey sent his
team packing in Euro 2008. 2 As he gears
up to take the intern international stage again,
Cech is undoubte undoubtedly determined not to
make make the same sam
mistake twice.