Czechs wary of Greeks ambushing title dream

Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer has vowed that the Czech Republic will not fall into the same trap as France by under-estimating their Euro 2004 semi-final opponents Greece.

Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer has vowed that the Czech Republic will not fall into the same trap as France by under-estimating their Euro 2004 semi-final opponents Greece.

A run of four straight wins in Portugal has seen the Czechs installed as the favourites to succeed France as European Champions and they are widely expected to be too strong for Greece in Oporto on Thursday.

But Smicer, one of three survivors from the team that reached the final of Euro 96, warned that nothing could be taken for granted against the Greeks, who dumped the defending champions out of the tournament with a shock quarter-final victory.

"Greece are the surprise team of the tournament," he said at the Czechs' training camp here on Tuesday.

"They had not even won a game at a Euro before and now they are in the semis. So we must be very careful.

"They work very hard but they also play very good football. We have to be aware of their counter attacks - it is on the break they are most dangerous.

"Maybe we are the favourites and it is nice to be in that position. But it doesn't change anything. We are in the semi-finals and we will have to play really well to get to the final.

"Everyone back home is on tenterhooks about this match and we would like to give them another gift by qualifying for the final," added 31-year-old Smicer, who rushed back to the Czech Republic after the Euro 96 semi-final to get married before returning for the final.

The Czechs' chances of doing that received a boost when centreback Rene Bolf resumed training after recovering from a thigh injury that forced him off during the 3-0 quarter-final victory over Denmark.

Czech defender Marek Jankulovski plays with a ball in Porto's Dragao stadium. Jankulovski, who plays for Udinese in Italy, said the threat of missing the final would make no difference to him.

Bolf, who has just moved to Auxerre in France, will be a key figure on Thursday as the Czechs attempt to contain the aerial threat posed by big Greek striker Angelos Charisteas, whose header secured the 1-0 win over France.

Right back Martin Jiranek will almost certainly miss Thursday's match with a groin injury but the the 25-year-old Reggina player could be back for the final, if the Czechs make it.

"He had tests in a hospital in Lisbon and it is not as bad as first feared," said assistant coach Miroslav Beranek, who played down the significance of Jiranek's likely absence.

"Our team does not depend on this player, he was successfully replaced by Zdenek Grygera in the last match and he can be again."

It is not just the Czech people who will be on tenterhooks on Thursday night. Three of their players were booked against the Danes and will miss the final if they pick up another yellow card, including playmaker Pavel Nedved.

The other two walking the disciplinary tightrope are left-back Marek Jankulovski and centre-back Tomas Ujfalusi.

Jankulovski, who plays for Udinese in Italy, said the threat of missing the final would make no difference to him.

"In this type of match, you can't afford to think about that. You just have to give everything you have got and see what happens.

"We won't underestimate Greece. Any team who beat Portugal in the opening match and then put out France - we're obliged to take them seriously."