Kadlec hoping for Euro ´96 repeat

Michal Kadlec is hoping the Czech Republic can repeat the heroics of Euro 1996 with a quarter-final win over Portugal.

A team that featured the Bayer Leverkusen defender’s father, Miroslav, overcame Portugal 1-0 at Villa Park thanks to a Karel Poborsky strike.

Kadlec, 27, said it was an odd coincidence his nation must lock horns with the Portuguese in the last eight once more, and hopes history will repeat itself on Thursday.

“It is strange that we’ve been drawn against Portugal in the quarter-finals again,” Kadlec told Sportovninoviny.

“But if the story of what happened in England is repeated with all the trimmings, we will not be angry.”

Czech Republic went on to reach the final of Euro ’96, but lost 2-1 to Germany thanks to an Oliver Bierhoff golden goal five minutes into extra-time.