Czechs out to stop Ronaldo and make memories, says Hasek

Czech Republic begin Euro 2024 against one of the tournament favourites in Portugal and their players will always remember facing Cristiano Ronaldo's team whatever happens in the match, manager Ivan Hasek said on Monday.

Hasek is unbeaten as manager of the national side, in nine games spanning two periods, but that record will face a stern test on Tuesday against a Portugal team who won all 10 qualifying games.

"If you see Portugal, you see that they have players who play in the biggest clubs and they are the biggest stars in those clubs," Hasek told reporters.

"So, Portugal obviously is one of the favourites of this tournament and we know that going into the game tomorrow, but we do want to win even then."

Hasek is under no illusions as to who the main threat is, with Ronaldo coming into his sixth European Championship as the tournament's all-time record scorer with 14 goals.

"We want to neutralise Ronaldo, especially for our guys, they will remember this their whole life," Hasek said.

"Ronaldo is one of the best players and they will be able to say they played against him and maybe they will even be successful. It will be something to remember their whole life."

Portugal are not one of the most fancied sides in the tournament solely because of Ronaldo, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also in the squad.

Czech captain Tomas Soucek has plenty of experience facing these players in the Premier League with West Ham.

"I know that my men can rely on me, on my experience. I can help them when playing against one of the best players in the world, but all the players played in European Cups and they know the quality of these competitions," Soucek said.

"Everybody watches Premier League so they know how these guys play.

The manager does not think the opening game is necessarily the biggest one they will face in Germany.

"The most important thing at this tournament is the last game. So, the first game doesn't really decide anything," he said.

"All our 26 nominated players are ready, they are healthy, they are fit, and tomorrow we cannot wait. We are really excited about tomorrow to start everything.

"When you see the pitch, when you see the stadium, you see this is a really great footballing event."

The other Group F game between Turkey and Georgia in Dortmund is also on Tuesday.