CZECH REPUBLIC - HOME SHIRT 2004
The Czech Republic's national team are one of European football's most storied sides, representing a footballing nation with deep roots stretching back through the Czechoslovak era. Known to fans as Reprezentace ("The Representatives"), they have consistently punched above their weight on the continental stage, with a runners-up finish at Euro 1996 and a memorable semi-final run at Euro 2004 - built on a celebrated golden generation of technical, attack-minded footballers.
This legacy has been shaped by legendary figures such as Josef Masopust, Antonín Panenka, Pavel Nedvěd, Petr Čech, and Tomáš Rosický, whose brilliance has defined Czech and Czechoslovak football across generations.
The Czech Republic wore this iconic home shirt at UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal - a tournament that saw Reprezentace at the absolute peak of their golden generation under manager Karel Brückner. Drawn into Group D with Germany, the Netherlands and Latvia, the Czechs blasted through with three wins from three: a 2-1 victory over Latvia (Milan Baroš double), a stunning 3-2 comeback against the Netherlands from 2-0 down in Aveiro (Koller, Baroš and Vladimír Šmicer turning the game around), and 2-1 over Germany on the final matchday. A 3-0 quarter-final victory over Denmark - Baroš again to the fore with a brace - sent them into the semi-finals at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, where the dream died against Otto Rehhagel's unlikely Greek side: Traianos Dellas headed home a silver goal in extra time to settle a goalless tie, the heartbreak amplified by Pavel Nedvěd having been forced off injured in the first half. Milan Baroš won the Golden Boot with five goals - the crowning of a tournament that briefly had the Czechs being talked about as the best team in Europe.
As of 2026, the Czech Republic are heading to the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico for the first time as Czechia, having sealed qualification via a dramatic March play-off path - 4-3 on penalties past Ireland after a 2-2 draw in the semi-final, then 3-1 on penalties past Denmark after another 2-2 draw in the final. Drawn into Group A alongside hosts Mexico, South Korea and South Africa, Reprezentace are heading to their first FIFA World Cup since 2006. With 74-year-old Miroslav Koubek in charge and a squad built around captain Ladislav Krejčí, West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček and striker Patrik Schick, Czechia travel to North America hungry to make up for two decades of near-misses.
Follow Reprezentace on X: @ceskarepre_eng
