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The candid Czechs available for chat |
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June 14, 2000
KNOKKE-HEIST, Belgium (AP) - You couldn't wish them to be more friendly. The entire Czech squad gathers in its improvised press center at the local training ground, happy to speak not only to the media, but also to everyone who stops by.
Throngs of Czech supporters, who attend its team's practice at the Olivier Stadium, have a feast.
On the way from the dressing room to the bus that takes them back to the hotel, not a single player passes by the crowd without a friendly chat. The towering Jan Koller happily records a video message to a fan's family, 19-year old rising star Tomas Rosicky jokes with the crowd about his age, and even the biggest stars, such as Patrik Berger or Pavel Nedved, seem to be having a great time with their supporters.
"You can't imagine how much self-confidence these supporters give to our players," said coach Jozef Chovanec. "It's even more moving than at the World Cup in 1990."
During that World Cup in Italy, which took place shortly after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, tens of thousand of Czech fans travelled hundreds of kilometers (miles) to support their side, creating a home atmosphere during all of their team's matches.
"When you see how many people have come to see you, you think: I have to do my best for them," said goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek.
But journalists, often deemed the enemy by some players, don't get a bad deal either.
Any player is always available and some, like Koller or Srnicek, don't leave the press room before patiently answering even the silliest questions.
"That's just our way of dealing with the press," said team official Jaroslav Dudl, in charge of public relations.
Even after Sunday's unfortunate 1-0 loss to the Netherlands, when you would expect them to be tight-lipped, the players speak their hearts to the media, patiently talking about any topic that comes up.
Nedved talks about what the defeat means for him, Chovanec, the coach, spares a full hour for the media, and other players are just as eloquent, even though everyone would understand if they chose not to be.
What a contrast with the Czech Republic's Friday opponent, World Cup holder France, whose players have boycotted press conferences and don't exactly have the best relationship with the media.
"It's always better to be fair to journalists, after all, they're doing the best job they can, juCy like us," said Dudl. |