Petr Cech is Czech’s Republic goalkeeper and one of the most important players in a team that has one of the best offensive lines in the World Cup. He has to keep the goal closed so that the goals they score matter.

Cech made his name during profitable spells with Sparta Prague and then Rennes of France, before swapping Ligue 1 for English Premiership side Chelsea in summer 2004. Immediately relegating the highly regarded Italian Carlo Cudicini to bench-warming duties, Cech established himself as one of Europe’s top keepers, conceding just 13 league goals in his first season in England.

He has assembled an impressive collection of honours in the process, and his latest award – for Czech Player of the Year, collected at the expense of Nedved and Rosicky - offers testament to his standing.

Despite his relative youth, the 24-year-old Cech has over 40 caps for the Czech Republic under his belt. A star of the Czech team that won the UEFA European U-21 Championship in 2002, his first appearance at full international level came in the same year and he has not looked back since. A commanding goalkeeper with sharp reflexes and assured handling, his performances were a key factor in the Czech Republic reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA EURO 2004.

Cech will be hoping his excellent international form continues during the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, but he knows he is in for a test on German turf. Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner employs an adventurous formation, and while it contributes to the side scoring freely, it also means that Cech’s goal is frequently peppered with shots.

The popular tactician’s philosophy is simple; Cech is an outstanding goalkeeper so why be afraid to use a system that will see him tested? Bruckner’s trust in his number one is not hard to understand.

Source: WCoffsite