Latvia, Lithuania - they're all Baltic as far as the blundering
Czech Republic are concerned!
The ČMFS has has officially apologised to the Lithuanian embassy in
Prague after confusing friendly opponents Lithuania for Latvia
(pictured).
The Euro 2008-bound Czechs incredibly played the national anthem of
Latvia and printed the flag and team photo of the Latvian national
team in the official match programme ahead of Tuesday's friendly in
Prague.
The ČMFS admitted in a statement that the mistakes were inexcusable
and they would strive not to make a similar blunder in the
future.
The statement continued to reveal that federation spokesman Vaclav
Tichy willingly took the rap for the stunning gaffe and has
subsequently resigned from his job. His deputy was fired and
another federation official recieved a fine for his part in the
situation.
Lithuania are ranked above Latvia in the Fifa rankings - 49 to75.
The Czech Republic went on to win the match 2-0 regardless and will
now surely start memorising their Austria and Switzerland showpiece
opponents - Portugal, co-hosts Switzerland and Turkey - ahead of
next month's finals.
