FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Despite his relative youth, Petr Cech already boasts an extensive medal collection, and is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Czech Republic number one is now keen to bolster that reputation at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.
Cech began his career with stints at Viktoria Pilsen, Chmel Blsany and Sparta Prague, where he set a domestic top-flight record by going 855 competitive minutes without conceding a goal, and also enjoyed a first taste of UEFA Champions League action. He then moved to Ligue 1 in France with Stade Rennes in 2002/03.

Consistently excellent displays for the French club earned the keeper a contract alongside Chelsea's burgeoning collection of superstars in time for the 2004/05 campaign. The Blues immediately won the Premiership and League Cup trophies in Cech's first season, where he made a huge contribution to the Londoners' first top-flight triumph in half a century, with just 13 goals against in 35 matches, and another record run of 1,025 minutes without conceding. Chelsea also reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals that year.

Cech was an early starter on the international scene too, making his debut for the Czech U-21 team in March 2001 before keeping a clean sheet in six out of seven qualifying games for the 2002 UEFA European U-21 Championship. His rich vein of form continued at the finals in Switzerland, laying the foundations for his team's wholly unexpected triumph, and saving no fewer than three penalties in the decisive shoot-out against runaway favourites France.

International call-up
His first senior appearance arrived in February 2002, and the keeper wasted no time in cementing his place as his country’s first-choice stopper. Some stunning saves at UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal helped the Czechs progress as far as the semi-finals and Cech was named in the all-star team as best goalkeeper at the tournament.

Cech maintained his fine form in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying. The Czechs finished second behind the Netherlands in qualifying Group 1, before Cech kept clean sheets in both play-off deciders against Norway, playing a significant part in his country's first appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals since the fledgling republic declared independence in 1993.

The custodian's rock-solid consistency for Chelsea in the Premiership and the Champions League meant it was hardly a surprise when he was named World Goalkeeper of the Year in late 2005. He followed that up with the 2005 Czech Player of the Year accolade in late February and celebrated another title success with Chelsea in April.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup should provide another highlight in the keeper's spectacular ascent. A combination of outstanding reflexes, a commanding penalty-area presence and alert reading of the game could well see him take his place as one of the current greats of the global game.

Cech must be considered the finished article as a goalkeeper, although a spell as a striker early in his career means he is no slouch with the ball at his feet either. He is a imposing presence out on the field, never afraid to bark orders at his fellow defenders and commanding his area with aplomb, but away from the pitch is a retiring personality who shuns the trappings of stardom.

However, should the Czechs lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy this summer, his preference for a quiet life could be seriously put to the test.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

A commanding presence in the penalty area and a superb shot-stopper, Petr Cech has established himself as one the finest goalkeepers in the world.

Club
Although he had made his debut as a 17-year-old for FK Chmel Blšany in 1999, Cech really came of age in the 2001/02 campaign following a €700,000 transfer to AC Sparta Praha. The young custodian proceeded to set a national record by going 855 minutes without conceding. Cech enhanced his reputation after joining Stade Rennais FC in July 2002 for a reported fee of €5m before moving on to Chelsea FC in June 2004 for €10.3m on a five-year contract. He helped his new club to clinch the Premiership title, the English League Cup and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in his first season. Named in uefa.com's users Team of 2005, a second Premiership crown followed in 2005/06.

National team
Having announced himself as the star of his nation's surprise victory in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Cech produced a series of fine displays as the Czechs reached the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2004™, keeping five clean sheets in the competition and being named in the All-Star Squad. First-choice as the Czechs qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Cech shared in his side's disappointment as they bowed out of the finals at the group stage.

Did you know?
Cech went 1120 minutes in all competitions without letting in a goal in autumn 2001.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

A commanding presence in the penalty area and confident taker of a ball, Petr Cech has proved himself one the rising stars of the goalkeeping fraternity.

National team
Having already forced his way into the full Czech Republic squad, making his debut against Cyprus in February 2002, he was the star of his nation's surprise victory in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Cech, who turned 20 during the competition, kept a clean sheet in the final against a free-scoring France side, then saved two penalties in the decisive shoot-out.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Cech underlined his credentials with a series of fine displays as the Czechs won Group 3 ahead of the Netherlands. The keeper featured in all eight qualifiers, keeping four clean sheets and conceding just five goals.

Club
Although he had made his debut as a 17-year-old for FK Chmel Blšany in 1999, Cech really came of age in the 2001/02 campaign following a €700,000 transfer to AC Sparta Praha. The young custodian won a first-team place four matches into the Czech season, and proceeded to set a national record by going 855 minutes without conceding a goal. Just for good measure, he began Sparta's UEFA Champions League campaign by shutting out holders FC Bayern München, and was not beaten until Matchday 5.

2002: After just one season at the Letná, Cech joined Stade Rennais FC in July 2002 for a reported fee of €5m. Not one of France’s glamour clubs, the Czech was virtually ever-present as Rennes preserved their Ligue 1 status and reached the Coupe de France semi-finals.

2003/04: Played all but five of Rennes' games as they finished ninth. In January he agreed a summer move to Chelsea FC for €10.3m, signing a five-year contract.

Did you know?
Cech went 1120 minutes in all competitions without conceding a goal in autumn 2001.

©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved.

BBC's UEFA EURO 2004 player's profile

Chelsea-bound Petr Cech inherited the goalkeeping gloves for the national side at the age of just 19.

This followed his outstanding displays in his country's victory at the Under-21 European Championship.

Cech has continued to impress in the French League with Rennes and moves to London for £9m in August.

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has hailed him as "the best goalkeeper of his age that I have seen for a long time, we are very fortunate to have got him."

His signing will seem a snip if he can hold together the Czech Republic defence at Euro 2004 in a tough group with Holland and Germany.

At 6ft 5in, he claims the high ball very confidently and has proved particularly impressive when one-on-one with an attacker.

©bbc.co.uk 2004. All rights reserved.