Where are They Now? The last Wales team to face Czech Republic

Wales’ last meeting with the Czech Republic came in a Euro 2008 qualifier on June 2nd, 2007 at the Millennium Stadium.

Having already lost three games already in the group, Wales needed a win if they were to hold any hopes of qualifying.

Wales matched a strong Czech side to earn a 0-0 draw. John Toshack’s side were captained by Ryan Giggs who was making his final appearance for Wales.

Here’s a look at what happened to that starting eleven.

Wayne Hennessey

Playing for Wolves at the time this was Hennessey second appearance for Wales. Hennessy would establish himself as number one for his country and currently has 94 caps.

He moved to Crystal Palace in 2014 where he still is today, albeit as back up.

Playing in every game in the Euro 2016 qualifiers as Wales reached their first major tournament since 1958 conceding just four goals. Wayne missed the opening game of the tournament but returned to play every game as Wales reached the semi finals.

In September 2020 he kept his 35th clean sheet breaking Neville Southall’s record.

Still firmly number on for Wales but suffered a thigh injury as Wales beat Bulgaria in the Nations League in October.

Danny Gabbidon

The then West Ham defender, who made 96 appearances for the Hammers went on to have spells at QPR and Crystal Palace before a return to Cardiff City.

Danny only made one appearance in his second spell at Cardiff but was joint caretaker manager, alongside Scott Young following the departure of Ole Gunner Solskjaer.

Gaining 49 caps for Wales, Gabbidon retired from international football in October 2010.

Gabbidon now works in the media providing co-commentary for BBC Radio Wales and can be seen as a pundit for Sky Sports.

Sam Ricketts

Playing for Hull City at the time of this game, Ricketts went on to play for Bolton, Wolves, Swindon Town and Coventry before retiring in November 2016 due to knee issues.

Ricketts would go on to make 52 appearances for Wales.

Since ending his playing career Ricketts has stepped into management. Taking a role at the academy set up at Wolves he left to be Wrexham manager in May 2018. With Wrexham in fourth place in the National League, he left to join League One Shrewsbury Town in December 2018.

After gaining only nine points from their first thirteen games at the start of the 2020/2021 season Ricketts was relived as Manager on the 25th November 2020.

James Collins

“Ginge” would go on to get 51 caps and three goals for his country. He retired from international football in November 2017.

He was part of the Wales squad for the Euros in 2016. Collins came on as a sub in the quarter final win against Belgium and started in the semi final against Portugal, replacing Ben Davies who was suspended.

Playing for West Ham at the time he moved to Aston Villa in 2009 before returning to West Ham in 2012. He finnished his playing career with a spell at Ipswich Town.

He retired in October 2020 having made 351 senior appearances.

Since retirement Collins has worked as a pundit.

Lewin Nyatanga

Nyatanga made 34 appearances for Wales and was the youngest ever player when he made his debut. That record was broken in his second game by Gareth Bale.

Lewin played for Derby, Barnsley, Sunderland, Peterborough and Bristol City finishing his career at Barnsley in 2016.

He is currently working as a product manager for fitness company The DVCC.

Simon Davies

The Fulham midfielder was a key part of the Wales squad and gained 58 caps, scoring six goals. He retired from international football in 2010.

He scored in the 2010 Europa League Final levelling the game at 1-1 however Fulham would go on to lose in extra time.

Released by Fulham in 2013, Davies would go on to play for local league side Solva AFC.

Davies is currently Professional Development coach at Peterborough United. He told Ellis James Feast of Football Podcast,

“I had no real aspiration to do my coaching badges. I was done, I was quite happy and then my wife said to me one day, ‘you’re turning into a bum. You’ve got to do something with your life’.

Ryan Giggs

Making his final Wales appearance Giggs was replaced in the 90th minute to a standing ovation. Giggs had announced that this would be his final game and passed the captains armband to Craig Bellamy.

Giggs may have been one of the best players in the world but never got to play in a major tournament for Wales. In 2012 he would be part of the Great Britain Olympic team.

Giggs continued to play for Manchester United until retiring in 2014. He would take temporary charge of United replacing David Moyes. He would be assistant manager to Moyes’s replacement Louis Van Gaal.

In 2018 Giggs would become manager of the National team and lead the side to qualify for the 2020 Euros.

Jason Koumas

A talented enigma Koumas won 34 caps and scored 10 goals.

His club career saw him play for West Brom, Wigan, two loan spells at Cardiff, and starting and finishing with Tranmere.

Joe Ledley

Ledley would go to star in the Wales side that reached the semi finals of Euro 2016. His dancing almost as good as his performances on the pitch.

Making 77 appearances and scoring 4 goals Ledley has not played for Wales since 2018.

The Cardiff City player went on to join Scottish giants Celtic before joining Crystal Palace. Since leaving Palace in 2017 he has had spells at Derby, Charlton and Newcastle Jets in Australia.

Joe has recently signed for Newport County and the 34 year old may still have a chance of breaking into the Wales side.

Carl Robinson

Another to break the 50 caps mark (52), Robinson also scored one goal. He retired in 2009 as Wales failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

A well travel player he finished his playing days in the MLS at Toronto and New York Reb Bulls.

After finishing playing he made the move into management with Vancouver Whitecaps before heading to Australia with Newcastle Jets. He is currently manager at Western Sydney Wanderers.

Craig Bellamy

Taking the armband from the retiring Ryan Giggs, Bellamy would take over as captain of his country. Bellamy would make 78 appearances and scoring 19 goals. Retiring from international football after the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, his final Wales game was a 1-1 draw away to Belgium.

Bellamy would be another from this side to play at the 2012 Olympic Games alongside Giggs.

Going on to play at Manchester City and Liverpool he would would have two spells at hometown club Cardiff City. During his second spell he would help the Bluebirds to win the Championship in 2013.

Retiring after the following season after Cardiff were relegated from the Premier League, his final game being a 2-1 loss at Cardiff City Stadium to Chelsea.

He is now coaching the Under 21’s at Anderlecht.

Sub: Robert Earnshaw

A late sub to replace Giggs Earnshaw would make 59 Wales appearances and score 16 goals.

Since finishing playing he has had spells coaching at Vancouver Whitecaps and Fresno FC.

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)