Czech Republic coach Pavel Vrba cut his Euro 2016 finals squad down to 25 players on Friday and will trim two more from their number before the May 31 deadline.
Sparta Prague defender Ondrej Zahustel, midfielder Jan Kovarik of Viktoria Plzen and Reading utility striker Matej Vydra (main pix) were the three unfortunate players who did not make the cut.
“It was far from being an easy choice, especially for the forward role,” Vrba admitted.
The Czechs face Malta on May 27 and Russia on June 1 in friendlies before a final warm up game with South Korea on June 5.
They then launch their Euro 2016 campaign in Group D against Spain, Croatia and Turkey at the finals.
Czech 25-man squad
Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Arsenal/ENG), Tomas Vaclik (Bâle/SUI), Tomas Koubek (Slovan Liberec)
Defenders: Theodor Gebre Selassie (Bremen/GER), Pavel Kaderabek (Hoffenheim/GER), David Limbersky (Viktoria Pilsen), Marek Suchy (Basel/SUI), Michal Kadlec (Fenerbahce/TUR), Tomas Sivok (Bursaspor/TUR), Roman Hubnik (Viktoria Pilsen), Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday/ENG/D2)
Midfielders: Borek Dockal (Sparta Prague), Jiri Skalak (Brighton/ENG/D2), Vladimir Darida (Hertha Berlin/GER), Daniel Kolar (Viktoria Pilsen), Ladislav Krejci (Sparta Prague), Josef Sural (Sparta Prague), David Pavelka (Kasimpasa/TUR), Jaroslav Plasil (Bordeaux/FRA), Lukas Marecek (Sparta Prague), Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal/ENG)
Strikers: Milan Skoda (Slavia Prague), Tomas Necid (Bursaspor/TUR), David Lafata (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bohemians Prague).
– Agence France-Presse
