Czech national team entered the Euro with a draw against France, debutant Novotný made his debut

He only appeared in the nomination at the last minute. Jindřich Novotný from Staropramen Praha replaced the injured Ondřej Moučka from Baník Ostrava in the squad for the European Championship in small football. In the opening match of the Czech national team against France, Novotný got his chance in the second half and rewarded it with the leading goal. However, France equalised in the set-up and the match in the Steel Arena in Košice ended in a 1-1 draw.

A year ago Novotný won silver at the U23 World Championship in Kiev, Ukraine, and now he made his debut in the national A team and scored right away. He is still only 20 years old. “I really enjoyed the game, it’s a great honour to score for the Czech Republic at such a tournament,” he said.

However, the national team started its journey to defend the gold from the last European Championship, which was hosted by Kiev, Ukraine, four years ago, with a draw. “We take it hard, we wanted to win, unfortunately we didn’t. We’ll take a point, but three would have been better,” said the Prague forward.

Novotný scored with a header after Miroslav Verner’s centre in the 41st minute, but in the setup, after a beautiful individual action, the French chic Skander Schiaib equalised. “I think we lacked more accurate balls, quicker transition and emphasis in finishing,” Novotný said.

At the end of the match, the Czech goalkeeper Dominik Kunický was already in the Czech goal, replacing the injured Ondrej Bír. The opening match of Group E between Serbia and Moldova also ended 1-1, so all teams are on the same level.

The Czech national team will face Moldova again on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the second match in front of CT Sport cameras. “We have seen Moldova, our activity and goalkeeper play should count for a lot, of course we have to convert our chances,” Novotný said.

Czech Republic – France 1::1 (0::0)
41. Novotny – 50.+1. Schiaib. PENALTY:: Hakl, Pospiš, Mařík – Trabelsi.

Czech Republic:: Bíro (Kunický) – Macko, Jelínek, Presl, Doubravský, Pospiš – Hakl, Verner, Paděra, Mařík (C), Sodoma – Rosůlek, Novotný, Levčík.

France:: Brunet (Asselineau) – Kistohurry, Hasani, Arezki, Trabelsi, Landi – Schiaib, Arthaud, Le, Bouvet, Delhaye – Ca.

Source: Little Football