Czechs put faith in Cech

Petr Cech has revealed that he is prepared for a battle with Carlo Cudicini to win the right to become Chelsea's No1 goalkeeper.

Yet officials of the Czech Republic team are convinced their young keeper will prevail.

As the Czechs prepared for tomorrow's Euro 2004 semi-final with Greece in Porto, 22-yearold Cech admitted it was important for him to make an impact and catch the eye of new coach Jose Mourinho.

"Perhaps the coach didn't know me before. Now, I hope, he will," said Cech, who was signed from French club Rennes while Claudio Ranieri was still in charge.

"It's also important for me to show the supporters of Chelsea what I can do.

"I know it won't be easy for me to get the No1 position there but I am ready to fight for it and to fight for my place in the team.

"If we can go out of this tournament as the winners it will be a very big thing for me."

Czech officials, though, have every confidence in Cech's ability. Two years ago, he starred as the Czechs won the European Under-21 title before current coach Karel Bruckner promoted him to the senior team at the expense of Pavel Srnicek.

"Three years ago, I openly told him that he could be one of the best goalkeepers in the world and I think he has become one," said the team's assistant coach, Miroslav Beranek.

Central defender Rene Bolf is expected to be fit for tomorrow's match after recovering from a knock picked up against Denmark in the quarterfinals, but right-back Martin Jiranek is likely to miss the game with a groin injury.