Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner stayed faithful to his ageing stars when he announced his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.

Bruckner's squad contains 19 of the players who helped the Czechs reach the semi-finals of Euro 2004, despite doubts about the fitness of Jan Koller, Vratislav Lokvenc, Vladimir Smicer and Zdenek Grygera.

"This squad was created for EURO 2004 in Portugal with the 2006 World Cup in mind," said the coach. "They all proved their quality over a long-term period.

"Koller has showed a big improvement in his health, I have no doubt about his participation.

"Grygera and Smicer were examined by the doctors on Friday, they are still undergoing treatment.

"Regarding Smicer, the doctors are giving fairly high guarantees that he will be okay. If that is not the case, Libor Sionko of Austria Vienna or Rudolf Skacel of Hearts will be ready.

"We also examined the fitness of Lokvenc - these were the fitness questions. As regards the sporting form, we had no doubts."

Czech Republic squad:

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Antonin Kinsky (Ramenskoye).

Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Ajax), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow), Pavel Mares (Zenit St Petersburg), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow), David Rozehnal (Paris Saint-Germain), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina).

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax), David Jarolim (Hamburg), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Karel Poborsky (Ceske Budejovice), Jan Polak (Nurnberg), Jaroslav Plasil (Monaco), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Vladimir Smicer (Bordeaux).

Forwards: Milan Baros (Aston Villa), Marek Heinz (Galatasaray), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund), Vratislav Lokvenc (Red Bull Salzburg), Jiri Stajner (Hannover 96).