Since gaining independence, the Czech Republic have qualified for the last five European Championships.

What's more, out of those five tournaments they have reached the final once and the semi-final on one further occasion. As a result, they are a nation with plenty of international competition know-how.

While the bookmakers are offering long odds on the Czech Republic repeating those achievements, few nations will relish coming up against a side that have been there and done it.

Group: A

Manager: Michal Bilek - At 47-years-old, Bilek will be one of the youngest managers at the tournament. Having failed to get his nation to the World Cup in 2010, Bilek will be looking for a positive response this time around.

Players to watch:

Michal Kadlec: There are not many full-backs with seven international goals to their name but Kadlec is one of them. The Bayern Leverkusen man is regarded as a free-kick specialist.

Tomas Necid: The 22-year-old has only just recovered from a serious knee injury. However, his direct approach could cause problems to opposition defenders.

Petr Cech: Fresh from being crowned a champion of club football in Europe, Cech will have to be at his very best if his nation are to make an impact at the tournament.

Previous Best: Winners (as Czechoslovakia), 1976

Sports Mole's prediction for Euro 2012: Quarter-finals