Rosicky won't start quarter-final - Smicer

21 June 2012 10:46

Czech Republic playmaker Tomas Rosicky will definitely not start the quarter-final against Portugal later on Thursday, team manager Vladimir Smicer told Czech TV.

Rosicky, 31, has been struggling to be fit in time after suffering an inflamed Achilles tendon. "It is certain that Tomas will not play from the start."

However, Arsenal star Rosicky, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, one of which forced him to miss Euro 2008, will be on the substitutes' bench and could get some playing time, according to Smicer.

The quarter-final will be the third meeting between the two sides in five Euros, both winning one apiece, though, the Czechs won the most important one the 1996 quarter-final 1-0 on their way to losing to Germany in the final.

Source: AFP