Vladi vows to attack

With a side including the creative talents of Anfield duo Smicer and Baros as well as Borussia Dortmund schemer Tomas Rosicky and European Player of the year Pavel Nedved, Smicer has warned his rivals in Portugal that the East European side will pose a signifcant threat to defences across the continent.

Smicer said: "The one thing we can promise is we will play offensive football in all our games. We play a system full of attacking midfielders. In some friendly games we've experimented and played only three defenders. It's a completely different system to the one I've played at Liverpool."

While the former Lens midfielder is confident of guiding the Czrech's to the latter stages of the European Championships, he would prefer to avoid te menacing sight of Steven Gerrard in an opposing shirt this summer.

He added: "If we get out of our group, I think we have a very good chance. We know we?re capable of beating any team in the competition but I hope we avoid England if we get through to the next round.

"I'm not sure I'd fancy the prospect of being marked by Steven Gerrard!"