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Home , Aleksandrs Isakovs, Andrejs Rubins, David Lafata, Igors Stepanovs, Igors Tarasovs, Imants Bleidelis

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS - 2014/16 SEASON MATCH PRESS KITS Eden Arena - Prague Saturday 28 March 2015 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Group A - Matchday -8 Last updated 12/07/2021 17:26CET

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Previous meetings 2 Match background 3 Squad list 4 Head coach 6 Match officials 7 Competition facts 8 Match-by-match lineups 9 Team facts 11 Legend 13

1 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague

Previous meetings Head to Head UEFA EURO 2004 Stage Date Match Result Venue Goalscorers reached Baroš 73, Heinz 85; 15/06/2004 GS-FT Czech Republic - Latvia 2-1 Aveiro Verpakovskis 45+1

Final Qualifying Total tournament

Home Away Pld W D L Pld W D L Pld W D L Pld W D L GF GA EURO Czech Republic ------1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 Latvia ------1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 FIFA* Czech Republic ------Latvia ------Friendlies Czech Republic ------1 1 0 0 4 1 Latvia ------1 0 0 1 1 4 Total Czech Republic ------1 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 6 2 Latvia ------1 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 2 6 * FIFA World Cup/FIFA Confederations Cup

2 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Match background

The Czech Republic are the team to beat in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group A as they take on Latvia, whom they famously encountered for the first time at UEFA EURO 2004. Previous meetings • The sides are meeting for a third time, with the seeking a third successive win. • They first met at the finals of UEFA EURO 2004, Karel Brückner's Czechs beating ' Latvia 2-1 in Aveiro, thanks to a late goal. • The teams for that game on 15 June 2004 were: Czech Republic: Čech*, Grygera (Heinz 56), Galásek (Šmicer 64), Bolf, Jankulovski, Poborský, Koller, Rosický*. Nedvěd, Baroš (Jiránek 87), Ujfaluši. Latvia: Koļinko*, Stepanovs, Astafjevs, Zemļinskis, Blagonadeždins, Isakovs, Bleidelis, Verpakovskis (Pahars 81), Rubins, Prohorenkovs (Laizāns 72), Lobaņovs (Rimkus 90). • , a substitute in that game, is now Latvia coach. • More recently, the sides met in a friendly game in Liberec on 11 August 2010, the Czechs winning 4-1 with goals from Roman Bednář, Martin Fenin, Zdeněk Pospěch and Tomáš Necid*, Aleksandrs Cauņa* responding late on for Latvia. *have been selected for UEFA EURO 2016 games. Form guide • The Czech Republic are one of only four teams still boasting a 100% record in UEFA EURO 20126 qualifying, along with Slovakia, Israel and England. The Czechs have won their last six qualifying matches in all competitions. • The Czechs lost their last competitive game at Stadion Eden, 2-1 to Armenia in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. As yet, they have won only once in three competitive fixtures at the venue. • Latvia are without a victory in four Group A games (D2 L2) and have scored only once in those fixtures – Valērijs Šabala converting a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Turkey in . • Latvia are without a win in seven competitive matches (D3 L4) and have gone eight games without a competitive away success (D2 L6) since a 1-0 triumph in Georgia on 2 September 2011. Trivia and links • Including games played as , this is the Czech Republic's 300th competitive outing; their previous 299 UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup fixtures ended W168 D56 L75. • Latvia midfielder Oļegs Laizāns turns 28 on the day of the Czech Republic game. • Czech Republic defender Marek Suchý and goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík both celebrate birthdays on the day after the Latvia match, turning 27 and 26 respectively.

3 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Squad list

Czech Republic Current season Overall Qual. FT Team No. Player DoB Age Club D Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Goalkeepers - Petr Čech 20/05/1982 32 Chelsea - 4 0 0 0 112 - - Tomáš Vaclík 29/03/1989 25 Basel - 0 0 0 0 2 - - Jiří Pavlenka 14/04/1992 22 Baník - 0 0 0 0 - - Defenders - Václav Procházka 08/05/1984 30 Plzeň - 3 0 0 0 8 - - 13/12/1984 30 Fenerbahçe - 4 0 0 0 58 8 - Marek Suchý 29/03/1988 26 Basel - 0 0 0 0 19 - - David Limberský 06/10/1983 31 Plzeň - 3 0 0 0 30 - Sparta - Mario Holek 28/10/1986 28 - 0 0 0 0 6 - Praha - 24/12/1986 28 Bremen - 0 0 0 0 28 1 - Filip Novák 26/06/1990 24 Jablonec - 0 0 0 0 - - Midfielders - Tomáš Rosický 04/10/1980 34 Arsenal - 3 0 0 0 98 22 - Jaroslav Plašil 05/01/1982 33 Bordeaux - 2 0 0 0 91 6 Sparta - Bořek Dočkal 30/09/1988 26 - 4 3 0 0 14 5 Praha Sparta - Lukáš Vácha 13/05/1989 25 - 3 0 0 0 6 - Praha - Daniel Kolář 27/10/1985 29 Plzeň - 2 0 0 0 22 2 Sparta - Ladislav Krejčí 05/07/1992 22 - 4 1 0 0 11 2 Praha - Václav Pilař 13/10/1988 26 Plzeň - 4 1 0 0 19 4 - Vladimír Darida 08/08/1990 24 Freiburg - 4 0 0 0 22 - - Martin Pospíšil 26/06/1991 23 Jablonec - 0 0 0 0 1 - Forwards Sparta - 18/09/1981 33 - 4 1 0 0 34 8 Praha - Tomáš Necid 13/08/1989 25 Zwolle - 2 1 0 0 28 8 - Adam Hloušek 20/12/1988 26 Stuttgart - 0 0 0 0 6 - Sparta - Václav Kadlec 20/05/1992 22 - 0 0 0 0 9 2 Praha Coach - 06/12/1963 51 - 4 0 0 0 8 -

4 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague

Latvia Current season Overall Qual. FT Team No. Player DoB Age Club D Pld Gls Pld Gls Pld Gls Goalkeepers - Aleksandrs Koļinko 18/06/1975 39 Baltika - 4 0 0 0 93 - - Andris Vaņins 30/04/1980 34 Sion - 0 0 0 0 63 - Górnik - Pāvels Šteinbors 21/09/1985 29 - 0 0 0 0 - - Zabrze Defenders - Kaspars Gorkšs 06/11/1981 33 Ergotelis - 4 0 0 0 66 5 - Vladislavs Gabovs 13/07/1987 27 Sokol - 4 0 0 0 14 - - Gints Freimanis 09/05/1985 29 Jelgava - 2 0 0 0 3 - - Antons Kurakins 01/01/1990 25 Ventspils - 2 0 0 0 5 - - Kaspars Dubra 20/12/1990 24 BATE - 3 0 0 0 5 - Spartaks - Nauris Bulvitis 15/03/1987 28 - 2 0 0 0 19 2 Jūrmala Midfielders - Aleksejs Višņakovs 03/02/1984 31 Skonto - 3 0 0 0 55 7 - Jurijs Žigajevs 14/11/1985 29 Ventspils - 0 0 0 0 33 2 - Oļegs Laizāns 28/03/1987 27 Yenisey - 2 0 0 0 23 - - Aleksandrs Fertovs 16/06/1987 27 Korona - 4 0 0 0 32 - - 16/10/1988 26 Neman - 0 0 0 0 4 - - Vitālijs Maksimenko 08/12/1990 24 VVV - 1 0 0 0 12 - - Artūrs Zjuzins 18/06/1991 23 Baltika * 3 0 0 0 19 2 - Alans Siņeļņikovs 14/05/1990 24 Ventspils - 0 0 0 0 10 - - Vitālijs Jagodinskis 28/02/1992 23 Hoverla - 0 0 0 0 1 - - Andrejs Kovaļovs 23/03/1989 26 Dacia - 2 0 0 0 10 - - Jānis Ikaunieks 16/02/1995 20 Metz - 2 0 0 0 2 - Forwards - Eduards Višņakovs 10/05/1990 24 Ruch - 4 0 0 0 9 - - Deniss Rakels 20/08/1992 22 Cracovia - 1 0 0 0 6 - - Valērijs Šabala 12/10/1994 20 Jablonec - 4 1 0 0 15 6 Coach - Marians Pahars 05/08/1976 38 - 4 0 0 0 14 -

5 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Head coach Pavel Vrba Date of birth: 6 December 1963 Nationality: Czech Playing career: FC Baník Ostrava (twice), TJ Železárny Prostějov, RH Cheb, TJ Baník Havířov, FC Přerov Coaching career: FC Přerov, FC Baník Ostrava (youth, assistant), Czech Republic Under-20, FK Púchov, MŠK Žilina, Slovakia (assistant), FC Viktoria Plzeň, Czech Republic • The defender was part of the Czechoslovakia side that reached the final of the 1982 UEFA European Under-18 Championship and also appeared at the FIFA U-20 World Cup the following year; the Czechs lost in the quarter-finals to a Brazil team including Bebeto and Dunga. • His club career did not hit the same heights, Vrba making a handful of appearances for Cheb and Baník before finishing his playing days in the lower leagues with home-town side Přerov. • Returned to Baník as a youth coach and also went back to the U-20 World Cup, taking charge of the Czech Republic in the 2003 edition. Became assistant at Baník and – despite a 7-0 loss to SK Slavia Praha when he was in temporary control in May 2003 – ended the next season with the league title. • That summer crossed the border into Slovakia, winning a championship as head coach of Žilina in 2007, by which time he was also working as assistant to Ján Kocián with the Slovak national team. • Moved on to Plzeň in 2008, collecting the in his second season – when he was voted the country's coach of the year – and the league in 2011. Led Viktoria into the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in 2011/12 and repeated the trick two years later following another title in 2013. In November 2013, he agreed to take the Czech Republic helm at the close of Plzeň's group stage campaign. Marians Pahars Date of birth: 5 August 1976 Nationality: Latvian Playing career: FK Pārdaugava, Skonto Metall FC, Skonto FC (twice), Southampton FC, Anorthosis Famagusta FC, FC Jūrmala Coaching career: Skonto FC, Latvia Under-21s, Latvia • Born in the village of Chornobai in central Ukraine, he moved to Latvia – his parents' homeland – while young and undertook his football education in Riga before making his senior debut at Skonto in 1995. He won the league title in each of his first four seasons, and the double in three of them. • Transferred to English outfit Southampton in 1999, where the diminutive forward became a firm fans' favourite. Known as the 'Latvian Owen' after England striker , he spent seven successful years with the Saints, despite a succession of injuries. • After a year with Anorthosis, lifting the Cypriot Cup, Pahars returned to Latvia and Skonto, ending his career at Jūrmala in 2009. He accepted a role as assistant to Aleksandrs Starkovs at Skonto the following year. • Skonto claimed the 2010 championship and Pahars replaced Starkovs at the helm the next year. His first term in the hot seat brought the Latvian Cup and a runners-up finish in the First Division, though Pahars soon left as Skonto were suffering off-the-pitch problems. • Pahars was out of football for just two months before taking charge of Latvia's U21 side. His tenure lasted a solitary game as Starkovs' unexpected decision to step down as senior team boss last summer prompted the younger man's immediate promotion on a contract until 2018.

6 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Match officials

Referee Javier Estrada (ESP) Assistant referees Miguel Martínez (ESP) , Teodoro Sobrino (ESP) Additional assistant referees Alejandro Hernandez (ESP) , Jesús Gil Manzano (ESP) Fourth official Javier Rodriguez (ESP) UEFA Delegate Virgar Hvidbro (FRO) UEFA Referee observer Jaap Uilenberg (NED)

Referee UEFA EURO Name Date of birth UEFA matches matches Javier Estrada 27/01/1976 0 15

Javier Estrada Referee since: 1996 First division: 2009 FIFA badge: 2013

Tournaments: 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship

Finals 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship

UEFA European Championship matches featuring the two countries involved in this match No such matches refereed Other matches involving teams from either of the two countries involved in this match Stage Date Competition Home Away Result Venue reached 18/07/2013 UEL 2QR AC Sparta Praha BK Häcken 2-2 Prague

7 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Competition facts

8 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Match-by-match lineups Czech Republic

European Qualifiers Matchday 1 (09/09/2014) Czech Republic 2-1 Netherlands Goals: 1-0 Dočkal 22, 1-1 De Vrij 55, 2-1 Pilař 90+1 Czech Republic: Čech, Kadeřábek, Kadlec, Procházka, Krejčí (66 Pilař), Limberský, Dočkal, Rosický, Vácha (81 Kolář), Lafata (72 Vydra), Darida Matchday 2 (10/10/2014) Turkey 1-2 Czech Republic Goals: 1-0 Umut Bulut 8, 1-1 Sivok 15, 1-2 Dočkal 58 Czech Republic: Čech, Kadeřábek, Kadlec, Sivok, Limberský, Dočkal (92 Plašil), Rosický, Vácha, Krejčí (68 Pilař), Lafata (84 Vydra), Darida Matchday 3 (13/10/2014) Kazakhstan 2-4 Czech Republic Goals: 0-1 Dočkal 13, 0-2 Lafata 44, 0-3 Krejčí 56, 1-3 Logvinenko 84, 1-4 Necid 88, 2-4 Logvinenko 90+1 Czech Republic: Čech, Kadeřábek, Kadlec, Sivok (81 Procházka), Limberský, Dočkal, Kolář, Vácha, Krejčí (69 Pilař), Lafata (79 Necid), Darida Matchday 4 (16/11/2014) Czech Republic 2-1 Iceland Goals: 0-1 Sigurdsson 9, 1-1 Kadeřábek 45+1, 2-1 Bödvarsson 61 (og) Czech Republic: Čech, Kadeřábek, Kadlec, Sivok, Dočkal, Rosický (92 Procházka), Pudil, Plašil, Krejčí (65 Pilař), Lafata (82 Necid), Darida Matchday 5 (28/03/2015) Czech Republic-Latvia Matchday 6 (12/06/2015) Iceland-Czech Republic Matchday 7 (03/09/2015) Czech Republic-Kazakhstan Matchday 8 (06/09/2015) Latvia-Czech Republic Matchday 9 (10/10/2015) Czech Republic-Turkey Matchday 10 (13/10/2015) Netherlands-Czech Republic Latvia

European Qualifiers Matchday 1 (09/09/2014) Kazakhstan 0-0 Latvia Latvia: Koļinko, Maksimenko, Bulvitis, Laizāns, Gabovs, Kovaļovs, Šabala, Gorkšs, Lazdiņš (27 Fertovs), Rudņevs (79 E. Višņakovs), Zjuzins Matchday 2 (10/10/2014) Latvia 0-3 Iceland Goals: 0-1 G. Sigurdsson 66, 0-2 A. Gunnarsson 77, 0-3 Gíslason 90 Latvia: Koļinko, Morozs, Bulvitis, Dubra, Gabovs, Kovaļovs (81 A. Višņakovs), Šabala (81 E. Višņakovs), Gorkšs, Rugins (63 Freimanis), Rudņevs, Fertovs Matchday 3 (13/10/2014) Latvia 1-1 Turkey

9 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague

Goals: 0-1 Bilal Kisa 47, 1-1 Šabala 54 (P) Latvia: Koļinko, Dubra, A. Višņakovs, Gabovs (38 Freimanis), Ikaunieks, Šabala, E. Višņakovs (80 Rakels), Gorkšs, Zjuzins (83 Morozs), Fertovs, Kurakins Matchday 4 (16/11/2014) Netherlands 6-0 Latvia Goals: 1-0 Van Persie 6, 2-0 Robben 35, 3-0 Huntelaar 42, 4-0 Bruma 78, 5-0 Robben 82, 6-0 Huntelaar 89 Latvia: Koļinko, Dubra, Gabovs, Šabala, E. Višņakovs (70 Rudņevs), Gorkšs, Ikaunieks (46 Laizāns), Zjuzins (54 Cauņa), Fertovs, Kurakins, A. Višņakovs Matchday 5 (28/03/2015) Czech Republic-Latvia Matchday 6 (12/06/2015) Latvia-Netherlands Matchday 7 (03/09/2015) Turkey-Latvia Matchday 8 (06/09/2015) Latvia-Czech Republic Matchday 9 (10/10/2015) Iceland-Latvia Matchday 10 (13/10/2015) Latvia-Kazakhstan

10 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Team facts

UEFA European Championship records: Czech Republic History 2012 – quarter-finals 2008 – group stage 2004 – semi-finals 2000 – group stage 1996 – runners-up 1992 – did not qualify (as Czechoslovakia) 1988 – did not qualify (as Czechoslovakia) 1984 – did not qualify (as Czechoslovakia) 1980 – third place (as Czechoslovakia) 1976 – winners (as Czechoslovakia) 1972 – did not qualify (as Czechoslovakia) 1968 – did not qualify (as Czechoslovakia) 1964 – did not qualify (as Czechoslovakia) 1960 – third place (as Czechoslovakia) Final tournament win 3-0: Czech Republic v Denmark, 27/06/04 Final tournament defeat 4-1: Russia v Czech Republic, 08/06/12 0-3: Czechoslovakia v USSR, 06/07/60 Qualifying win 7-0: Czech Republic v San Marino, 07/10/06 Qualifying defeat 3-0: England v Czechoslovakia, 30/10/74 3-0: Finland v Czechoslovakia, 09/09/87 Final tournament appearances 14: Karel Poborský 12: Pavel Nedvěd 11: Vladimír Šmicer 11: Petr Čech 10: 10: Milan Baroš Final tournament goals 5: Milan Baroš 4: Vladimír Šmicer 3: Jan Koller 3: Zdeněk Nehoda Overall appearances 41: Petr Čech 36: Tomáš Rosický 35: Jan Koller 34: Karel Poborský 31: Milan Baroš 31: Pavel Nedvěd 31: Jiří Němec 30: 30: Jaroslav Plašil Overall goals 21: Jan Koller 12: 12: Milan Baroš 9: Vladimír Šmicer 9: Zdeněk Nehoda

11 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague

UEFA European Championship records: Latvia History 2012 – did not qualify 2008 – did not qualify 2004 – group stage 2000 – did not qualify 1996 – did not qualify EURO final tournament win N/A EURO final tournament loss 3-0: Netherlands v Latvia, 23/06/04 Qualifying win 4-0: Latvia v Iceland, 07/10/06 EURO qualifying loss 5-0: Austria v Latvia, 29/03/95 Final tournament appearances 3: Vitālijs Astafjevs 3: Oļegs Blagonadeždins 3: 3: 3: Aleksandrs Koļinko 3: Juris Laizāns 3: Valentīns Lobaņovs 3: Marians Pahars 3: Andrejs Prohorenkovs 3: 3: 3: Māris Verpakovskis 3: Mihails Zemļinskis Final tournament goals 1: Māris Verpakovskis Overall appearances 43: Vitālijs Astafjevs 34: Imants Bleidelis 33: Juris Laizāns 33: Andrejs Rubins 32: Māris Verpakovskis Overall goals 14: Māris Verpakovskis 5: Vīts Rimkus 5: Juris Laizāns 4: Aleksandrs Cauņa 3: Vitālijs Astafjevs 3: Imants Bleidelis 3: Kaspars Gorkšs 3: Marians Pahars 3: Andrejs Štolcers 3: Aleksejs Višņakovs 3: Armands Zeiberlins

12 Czech Republic - Latvia Saturday 28 March 2015 - 18.00CET (18.00 local time) Match press kit Eden Arena, Prague Legend

:: Previous meetings

Goals for/against: Goal totals include the outcome of disciplinary decisions (e.g. match forfeits when a 3-0 result is determined). Goals totals do not include goals scored during a penalty shoot-out after a tie ended in a draw

:: Squad list

Qual.: Total European Qualifiers appearances/goals for UEFA EURO 2020 only. FT: Total UEFA EURO 2020 appearances/goals in final tournament only. Overall: Total international appearances/goals. DoB: Date of birth Age: Based on the date press kit was last updated D: Disciplinary (*: misses next match if booked, S: suspended)

:: Team facts

EURO finals: The UEFA European Championship was a four-team event in 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976 (when the preliminary round and quarter-finals were considered part of qualifying).

From 1980 it was expanded to an eight-team finals and remained in that format in 1984, 1988 and 1992 until 1996, when the 16-team format was adopted. UEFA EURO 2016 was the first tournament to be played as a 24-team finals.

Records of inactive countries A number of UEFA associations have been affected by dissolution or splits of member associations. For statistical purposes, the records of these inactive countries have been allocated elsewhere: therefore, all Soviet Union matches are awarded to Russia; all West – but not East Germany – matches are awarded to Germany; all Yugoslavia and Serbia & matches are awarded to Serbia; all Czechoslovakia matches are allocated to both the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Abandoned/forfeited matches For statisical purposes, when a match has been started and then abandoned but later forfeited, the result on the pitch at the time of abandonment is counted. Matches that never started and were either cancelled or forfeited are not included in the overall statistics. Competitions Other abbreviations (aet): After extra time pens: Penalties No.: Number og: Own goal ag: Match decided on away goals P: Penalty agg: Aggregate Pld: Matches played AP: Appearances Pos.: Position Comp.: Competition Pts: Points D: Drawn R: Sent off (straight red card) DoB: Date of birth Res.: Result ET: Extra Time sg: Match decided by silver goal GA: Goals against t: Match decided by toss of a coin GF: Goals for W: Won gg: Match decided by golden goal Y: Booked L: Lost Y/R: Sent off (two yellow cards) Nat.: Nationality N/A: Not applicable Disclaimer: Although UEFA has taken all reasonable care that the information contained within this document is accurate at the time of publication, no representation or guarantee (including liability towards third parties), expressed or implied, is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. Therefore, UEFA assumes no liability for the use or interpretation of information contained herein. More information can be found in the competition regulations available on UEFA.com.

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