Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech said on Monday despite Euro 2012 quarter-final opponents Portugal being viewed as favorites for tomorrow’s game he believed his team could cause an upset.
“We haven’t lost yet, of course you can beat anyone on a good day,” said the 30-year-old goalkeeper, who helped Chelsea lift the Champions League trophy last month. “We definitely have a chance to advance. It’s sport and anything can happen.”
The Czech Republic advanced as surprise Group A winners along with second-placed Greece, while Portugal came second in Group B behind Germany after beating Denmark and, in their last group game on Sunday, the Netherlands.
Photo: AFP
“They are among the world’s top 10 teams. It’s a team full of personalities and outstanding players, and they play very well. Against the Netherlands on Sunday, they were excellent up front,” Cech said. “They also have enough experienced players. The team has matured and it’s really strong.”
Cech also said he reckoned Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice in the 2-1 victory against the Netherlands, was one of the world’s top two players along with Lionel Messi, diplomatically declining to say which of them was better.
“He has a powerful shot, he can shoot with his left or right, he can score from any place, he’s great at heading,” Cech said.
The Czech Republic, playing their fifth straight Euro tournament, eliminated Portugal in the 1996 quarter-final on their way to the final, but they lost to the same rivals in the group stage in 2008.
“I hope that the result will be different now than in 2008,” said Cech, who has unhappy memories of the 3-1 defeat as he was in goal.
The Czech Republic prefer to recall 1996, when Karel Poborsky memorably chipped the ball over Portugal’s goalkeeper to hand his side a 1-0 win.
“We wouldn’t grumble if it happened again,” said defender Michal Kadlec, whose father Miroslav was the 1996 team’s captain.
“When we have started like this, we don’t want to end up losing in the quarter-final,” added Kadlec, whose stunning header off the line in the dying minutes of the 1-0 win over Poland saved his team from bowing out of the competition.
Cech said he hoped for at least a repeat of the 2004 edition hosted by Portugal where a flair-filled side — with him in goal — reached the semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Greece.
“We have a chance to emulate that success from Portugal. It’s enough to win one game and I believe it will be a good game for us,” Cech said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely