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Nedved on knife-edge as Czechs face Greek test
Pavel Nedved will have to be careful when his team play Greece in the Euro 2004 semi-final.
Czech Republic captain Pavel Nedved will be walking a disciplinary tight-rope when his team play Greece in the second Euro 2004 semi-final on Thursday.
Nedved was cautioned in the Czechs' 3-0 quarter-final victory over Denmark and, having failed to get the decision overturned, knows another yellow card would rule him out of the final if his side get there.
"It is very difficult for me," he said. "I have to go softly in this game, but I am always so enthusiastic to give a total performance that I cannot do anything else. It is a big risk, but I have to give my best as I always do."
Nedved missed last year's European Cup final for his club Juventus against AC Milan after collecting two yellow cards in the semi-final against Real Madrid.
"I missed that final and had to sit and watch it," he said. "Of course, I don't want that to happen again. But I always give my best and in this semi-final I want to run and run."
Nedved, approaching his 32nd birthday, has hinted that he will join friend and team mate Karel Poborsky in international retirement after Euro 2004.
Both are veterans of the side that finished runners-up to Germany in the 1996 European Championship, and Poborsky could make his 100th international appearance in the Euro 2004 final if the Czechs reach it.
Against Greece they will be bidding for a 10th successive victory in competitive matches and their fifth in a row at the tournament.
Czech defenders Marek Jankulovski and Tomas Ujfalusi and Greek midfielders Theodoros Zagorakis and Giorgos Karagounis also carry yellow cards into the semi-final.
OPENING MATCH
The in-form Czechs may be favourites, but Greece should not be underestimated after beating hosts Portugal in the opening match and holders France in the quarter-finals.
The Czechs, however, possess the tournament's leading striker in Milan Baros, who has scored five goals in four games, and his duel with the Greek central defender Traianos Dellas may prove one of many decisive confrontations.
Baros, 22, back to peak form and fitness after breaking an ankle, is also bidding to emulate the achievement of Frenchman Michel Platini who scored in all five games at the 1984 tournament to inspire his team to the title.
Greece striker Zisis Vryzas may return after suspension, possibly in place of Demis Nikolaidis. Midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos, who missed two games through injury, is also available.
The Czechs may be without right back Martin Jiranek, who has a strained thigh. Zdenek Grygera stands by to replace him.
Probable teams:
Greece (4-4-2): 1-Antonis Nikopolidis; 2-Yourkas Seitaridis, 19-Michalis Kapsis, 5-Traianos Dellas, 14-Takis Fyssas; 8-Stelios Giannakopoulos, 20-Giorgos Karagounis, 6-Angelos Basinas, 7-Theodoros Zagorakis; 15-Zisis Vryzas, 9-Angelos Haristeas.
Czech Republic (4-4-2): 1-Petr Cech; 2-Zdenek Grygera, 21-Tomas Ujfalusi, 5-Rene Bolf, 6-Marek Jankulovski; 8-Karel Poborsky, 4-Tomas Galasek, 10-Tomas Rosicky, 11-Pavel Nedved; 15-Milan Baros, 9-Jan Koller.
Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).
Linesmen: Marco Ivaldi (Italy), Narciso Pisacreta (Italy).
