Tomas Ujfalusi has been named as the new captain of the Czech Republic in the absence of crocked Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky...
Fiorentina ace Tomas Ujfalusi, who will soon join Atletico Madrid, has been confirmed as the interim skipper of the Euro 2008-bound Czech Republic.
The erstwhile Viola captain has been handed the armband as Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is undergoing surgery to repair damage to his left knee and won't recover for the Austria and Switzerland showpiece, which starts on June 7.
30-year-old Ujfalusi captained his club to a Champions League berth and the Uefa Cup semis this term. He has 66 caps for his country and will relish leading his nation out for warm-up games against Lithuania and Scotland in Prague this week.
The much-admired Ujfalusi declared: "It's an honor to captain the national team."
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was the other obvious choice and will be the defender's deputy during the tournament, the Czech soccer federation has decided.
The Czechs open the tournament against their Swiss hosts on June 7, before turning their attention towards tricky Group A tests against Turkey and Portugal.