Nedved rejects Czech call

Nedved rejects Czech call
Wednesday 14 May, 2008

Juventus star Pavel Nedved has turned down a place in Karel Bruckner’s Czech Republic squad for Euro 2008.

The 35-year-old, who has just signed a new deal with Juve, was approached by Bruckner, but decided against travelling to Austria and Switzerland.

Nedved retired from international football in August 2006, but had admitted he was tempted to return for Euro 2008.

“I spoke to him for the last time yesterday, but it is still the same,” Bruckner revealed as he announced his 23-man squad for a pre-tournament training camp.

“He will not be in the team. He has never said anything else, so he has only confirmed his decision.”

There had been hopes that Nedved would replace Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky, who was ruled out with a knee injury.

Bruckner’s squad does include Milan’s Marek Jankulovski, Lazio defender David Rozehnal, Tomas Ujfalusi, who is set to leave Fiorentina, and Zdenek Grygera of Juventus.

Czech Republic squad:

Goalkeepers: Cech (Chelsea), Blazek (Nuremburg), Zitka (Anderlecht)

Defenders: Jankulovski (Milan), Rozehnal (Lazio), Ujfalusi (Fiorentina), Pospech (Copenhagen), Grygera (Juventus), Kadlec (Spata Prague), Sivok (Sparta Prague), Kovac (Spartak Moscow)

Midfielders: Galasek (Nuremburg), Jarolim (Hamburg), Plasil (Osasuna), Polak (Anderlecht), Matejovsky (Reading), Sinoko (Slavia Prague), Pudil (Slavia Prague), Vlcek (Anderlecht)

Strikers: Koller (Nuremburg), Baros (Portsmouth), Fenin (Eintracht Frankfurt), Sverkos (Banik Ostrava)

*channel4