Czech Republic Return to Wembley 30 Years After Euro '96 Run
The Czech Republic face England at Wembley in the Nations League, evoking memories of their surprise Euro '96 final appearance.
The Czech Republic will play England at Wembley on 6 October in Nations League Group A3, marking just over 30 years since their memorable run to the Euro '96 final at the old Wembley. They also meet in Prague on 29 September. The Czechs have visited Wembley since, but this return coincides with the anniversary of that summer.
At Euro '96, the Czech Republic were appearing at their first tournament as an independent nation after the split of Czechoslovakia. Few expected them to progress from a group containing Germany, Italy and Russia. They lost 2-0 to Germany at Old Trafford, beat Italy 2-1 at Anfield, and drew 3-3 with Russia at Anfield, with Vladimir Smicer's late equaliser securing qualification for the quarter-finals.
A 1-0 win over Portugal at Villa Park, courtesy of Karel Poborsky's famous scooped goal, and a penalty shootout victory over France after a goalless semi-final at Old Trafford sent them to the final. There, Patrik Berger's penalty gave them a 59th-minute lead, but Oliver Bierhoff equalised and then scored the first golden goal in a major tournament final to give Germany a 2-1 win.
Berger, speaking to the BBC Sporting Witness podcast, recalled that the team 'were living the dream' and that reaching the final felt like a miracle. He said the silver medal 'was like a gold because it opened doors to so many of us' and led to his move to Liverpool. He added: 'I have no regrets.'
Since Euro '96, the Czech Republic have reached the semi-finals in 2004 and the quarter-finals in 2012 and 2021, but have not matched that final appearance. Prague-based journalist Ondrej Zlamal believes the 2004 team played even better football but lacked the same outcome. He attributed the decline to a shortage of top-level players, saying: 'We don't have such talented footballers as we had.'
A new era begins under Santi Denia, the first foreign manager in the national team's history. His first squad for the Nations League games against Croatia, England and Spain includes seven players with no caps or one cap, though none are under 22. As the Czechs return to a rebuilt Wembley, they will hope to deliver a statement performance.
Image: Rex Features / BBC Sport
