Kalas impresses as Czech Republic march through to last eight
TOMAS Kalas finished the game with his arms aloft, almost motionless in a dominant pose that perfectly represented the preceding 90 minutes in which he had kept forwards from Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven largely under lock and key.
The Czech Republic’s brilliant 2-0 win over the Netherlands in Budapest to reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2020 was built on another impressive defensive display, with the Bristol City captain at the heart of it.
Kalas’ headed, tackled, barged and blocked everything that came near him, while the 28-year-old also made a crucial contribution at the other end, sending a far-post header across goal and perfectly into the path of Tomas Holes to score.
The Robins centre-back is enjoying, like all the Czech team, a fantastic tournament and symbolises precisely what Jaroslav Silhavy’s side are, at least at the back: tough, organised, resolute and fiercely committed.
After the misdirected back-pass in their first game against Scotland, Kalas’ performances have increased in stature, and after a difficult campaign for City he’s been able to showcase the truest sense of his ability.
In their match ratings for the last 16 tie, The Independent scored Kalas 9/10 and noted: “Both he and Ondrej Celustka were superb at controlling the Dutch attack. Also produced a wonderful header across goal to set up Holes’ winner. Barely put a foot wrong throughout the game.”
What these matches at Euro 2020 have shown is the value of Kalas having a regular partner alongside him in defence,. He and City looked at their best in 2020-21 when Alfie Mawson was fit, before the Fulham loanee sustained a season-ending injury. The 2019-20 campaign had been riddled with injuries for Kalas but prior to that his partnership alongside Adam Webster was integral to City possessing one of the Championship’s best defences.
Invariably, his performances at Euro 2020 will increase fears, or maybe even hopes, depending on your line of thinking, that Kalas could be sold this summer.
But as the Czechs marched into the last eight with Denmark up next, City fans are beaming with a certain sense of pride that their man is doing it on one of the grandest stages.
The Czechs now have five days to rest, recover and prepare for their next challenge, against Denmark in the quarter-finals in Baku on Saturday. The national team last reached the quarter-finals in 2012 with their best performance at the European Championships being when they finished runners-up at Euro ‘96.