Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE commentary of Czech Republic and The Netherlands in the opening round of Group A in the European Championship Qualifiers. Holland's new boss Guus Hiddink - who returns to the helm for the second time - will be hoping he can build on Louis Van Gaal's impressive third place finish at the World Cup but his side faces a difficult challenge in Prague tonight against a Czech Republic side determined to get off to a good start and reach France in two years time.
Euro Qualifying / Matchday 1
epet ARENA / 09.09.2014
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- S. de Vrij(55')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 09/09/2014 at 21:39 GMT+1
29'
Holland give away in a dangerous position on the right flank and allows the hosts a chance to deliver a cross.
28'
So, what a surprise start we've had here and you can't say Czech Republic don't deserve their lead. Manager Pavel Vrba is still without a win but what would it mean to take all three points here?
26'
CHANCE! Blind picks out Wijnaldum with a wonderfully executed pass to split the defence but the midfielder gets it incredibly wrong and the chance is gone!
24'
Kadlec slides in on Deplay and wins the Netherlands a free-kick, hurting himself in the process.
22'
GOAAAAAAL! Never mind that, Czech Republic have taken the lead to send the home fans into a frenzy! Dockal scores his third goal for his country with a sensational strike! The ball is played in, Lafata does brilliantly to hold the ball up and tees off Dockal who hammers the ball into the net, off the post. 1-0.
20'
Who remembers the epic encounter between these sides 10 years ago?
18'
Although it's still 0-0 there has been plenty of action with both sides creating chances.
16'
De Vrij accidentally catches Lafata with a knee to the jaw in a nasty looking collision. He will go off for treatment.
14'
Janmaat provides some width for the Dutch and he finds Van Persie with a low cross at the front post but his flicked effort is blocked, earning a first corner for the visitors.
12'
Czech Republic have had the majority of possession so far and, against a Holland team who always seem vulnerable at the back, they will be hopeful of breaking the deadlock.
10'
A short cross catches the Dutch out, for the second time so far, but one of the many players which crowded the edge of the penalty area managed to make the block.
9'
Some great football from Czech Republic sees a little triangle played out wide with Krejci crossing a dangerous ball across goal. De Jong does well to intercept. Corner.
7'
Kaderabek has shown his adventurous side early in the match, getting forward from full-back at every opportunity. His latest contribution in attack resulted in a cross being headed clear.
6'
Prochazka goes into the referee's book as early as the sixth minute after a clumsy tackle on Depay. He will have to walk on eggshells for the remaining 85 minutes now.
4'
A deep cross comes into the Dutch danger zone but defender Janmaat heads the ball back agonisingly short towards his 'keeper but he's fortunate Cillessen is quick to react and collect.
2'
Depay shows some nice skill to let the ball run across his body before drawing a foul and earning an early free-kick.
1'
And we're off! The road to France '16 starts here.
19.45
The national anthems are being sang loud and proud. Hiddink may have lost his first game in charge in a friendly but Czech Republic boss Pavel Vrba also tasted defeat last week as his side fell to a single goal defeat to USA and he has now lost all four of his games as manager.
19.40
We're just five minutes from kick-off. You can get in touch with your predictions via Twitter @jdebnam11. This writer is going for a 1-2 scoreline with Depay impressing and Van Persie getting on the score-sheet.
19.35
In modern times, some players look for any excuse to quit the international football stage. Not Van Persie, he hopes to play in the next World Cup, when he will be 35! "I will do whatever it takes to make it to the 2018 World Cup," he told De Volkskrant.
19.30
Petr Cech may be playing second fiddle at Stamford Bridge but he is still very much Czech Republic's key man and he will be hoping to keep Van Persie's efforts at bay. Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky takes a central position behind the front line and he will be keen to pull the strings for the home side this evening.