Being drawn against holders Italy and talented Azerbaijan in Group D is not the easiest prospect for the Czech Republic but they can take heart from their greatest UEFA Futsal EURO performance in 2010.
On that occasion, having scraped into the quarter-finals with a last-gasp 6-5 win over hosts Hungary, the Czechs were outsiders against Italy yet prevailed on penalties after a 3-3 draw, thus reaching the semis for only the second time after 2003. Although Spain then beat Tomáš Neumann’s side, the Czech Republic promptly overcame Azerbaijan for bronze.
The Czechs had reached their first final tournament, under Michal Stříž, at UEFA Futsal EURO 2001 and subsequently have nev…