Czechia squad locked in for the Cup of Nations

Czechia's coach Karel Rada has named a 23-player squad for the upcoming Cup of Nations, set to kick off in February! 

The squad is headlined by captain Petra Bertholdová who has 103 caps for her country, along with some up-and-coming youngsters that ply their trade around Czechia. 

We take you through the side that will be travelling to Australia for the upcoming tournament. 

Goalkeepers

Tereza Fuchsová, Olivie Lukášová and Barbora Růžičková

Three shotstoppers have been named to the squad, all playing their club football in Czechia. Fuchsová, playing for SK Slavia Prague, featured on the bench in Czechia's 0-0 draw against England last year and featured in her country's 2022 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship campaign.

Lukášová is the most experienced on the senior international level of the three keepers, keeping a clean sheet for Czechia in their 0-0 draw with reigning Euro 2022 champions, England.

Defenders

Petra Bertholdová, Klára Cahynová, Aneta Dědinová, Anna Dlasková, Michaela Khýrová, Simona Necidová, Alena Pěčková, Adéla Radová and Gabriela Šlajsová

Skipper Petra Bertholdová headlines the defensive unit, with over 100 appearances for her country since making her debut back in 2002. 

Three defenders named all play alongside one another at the club level, playing in the Czechia league for AC Sparta Prague. While three more play for rivals SK Slavia Prague.

Klára Cahynová is the only defender that doesn't play in Czechia, playing in Spain for Sevilla since 2021. 

Midfielders

Franny Černá, Jitka Chlastáková, Aneta Pochmanová, Barbora Polcarová, Kristýna Růžičková, Antonie Stárová and Denisa Veselá

Chlastáková has experience playing in Australia, currently signed to Western Sydney Wanderers in the Liberty A-League Women's, making the move from AC Sparta Prague after a decade with the team. 

The experienced midfielder has 40 caps for her country, and was recently part of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ qualification campaign.

A notable absence is Sam Kerr's Chelsea teammate Kateřina Svitková, with the midfielder missing these games due to a knee injury. Svitková has 21 goals for her country and found the back of the net in a 2-1 win over Romania to finish 2022. 

Forwards

Klára Cvrčková, Lucie Martínková, Miroslava Mrázová and Andrea Stašková

Martínková has the most appearances for her country out of the forwards, with two decades of service and 113 caps for Czechia. 

One to watch during the tournament is youngster Andrea Stašková, with the forward playing for Atlético Madrid in Spain. Stašková found the back of the net in Czechia's 2-1 win over Romania and scored a hat-trick against Hungary in a 3-3 draw.

Cvrčková and Mrázová have a handful of appearances between them, with experience at the youth national level.