The goal is clear: Advancement! How did coach Šilhavý and FAČR President Petr Fousek comment on the draw for Euro 2024?

After Sunday’s draw, the Czech national football team knows all of its opponents in the European Championship qualification fights. The team will face Poland, Albania, Faroe Islands and Moldova in Group E. Not only the coach of the national team, but also the president of the FAČR Petr Fousek commented on the qualifying group.

Poland, Albania, Faroe Islands and Moldova – these are the opponents that the Czech national football team will face in Group E in the qualification for Euro 2024.

The Czech national team was placed in the second performance basket before the draw. It was then assigned to Group E, where neighbouring Poland was already waiting.

The Czechs were thus very lucky indeed, as on paper they probably could not have been given a more favourable group. The composition of the group clearly encourages an attack on the first place and a clear advancement to the European Championships.

Compared to the teams in the 6-member groups, the Czechs will save their strength by playing 2 less competitive matches. 2 teams will advance directly from the group.

A total of 24 teams will qualify for the tournament. The national team has never been missing in its independent history and should definitely not be missing this time either.

In the attached Twitter post below, you can see the complete composition of all qualifying groups for Euro 2024.

Coach Šilhavy’s statement

“Of course we want to qualify. The group could have been worse. Poland, as the team from the first basket, will be the favourite, but we will surely play them in mutual matches and I believe that they will be successful matches,” said the coach of the national team after the draw.

“We certainly don’t want to underestimate the other teams, we have respect for everyone, but we would certainly be alibi if we said they were stronger or that they would be tough opponents. On the other hand, the truth always lies on the field. We played Albania recently before the last Euro and they were a very unpleasant opponent. We certainly won’t underestimate anything, but we definitely want to advance,” he explained.

And how did the president of the FAČR organisation comment on the draw?

“Our goal to qualify for the European Championship in 2024 remains our clear priority. I think that the draw was quite favourable for us, because we could have got much tougher opponents from basket number one, three and four. I think we have to be satisfied,” said Fousek after the draw.

“I don’t want to underestimate anyone, but we can’t have a goal other than to advance out of the group. I am convinced that we are capable of playing it on the field and we can only spoil it for ourselves,” he added.

The Czech national team will play their first match on 24 March 2023 when they challenge Poland on home soil. After that, coach Šilhavy and co. will travel to Moldova. In June and September, the Czech footballers will play one qualifying match each, with the next matches in October and November.

Sources