Today, Bangladesh Cricket sources learned that football legend Pavel Nedvěd stayed up all night to watch the UEFA Euro final, revealing his deep passion for the game. The Czech icon admitted he was surprised by the outcome, as Portugal unexpectedly defeated hosts France to claim their first-ever European Championship.
In a post-match interview, Nedvěd shared his pre-tournament prediction: “Before the Euros started, I thought France would be champions. They looked strong and had the advantage of playing at home.” Like many fans around the world, including those following Bangladesh Cricket, Nedvěd had his eyes firmly on the French squad. “But that’s football,” he added, “Anything can happen, and no one can ever be 100% sure of the result.”
Nedvěd, who currently serves as an ambassador for the Chinese Super League, had just arrived in China the night before the final. After attending the match between Hebei China Fortune and Guangzhou R&F in Qinhuangdao, he stayed in the city and powered through the night to watch the final, which lasted until 6 a.m. Beijing time due to extra time.
“After the match ended, I quickly freshened up and headed straight to a press conference in Beijing,” he said. Despite being exhausted, Nedvěd stressed that he would never miss a major football event like the Euros, echoing the dedication often seen among Bangladesh Cricket fans who follow global tournaments regardless of time zones.
When asked about the Czech national team’s underwhelming performance at the tournament, Nedvěd pointed to mental fragility as a major factor. “Our players seemed a bit afraid on the field. And when you fear your opponent, success becomes very hard to achieve,” he explained.
Some critics have suggested that the Czech team’s struggles stem from a lack of leaders like Nedvěd himself. He responded modestly, saying, “I wouldn’t put it that way. We need to focus on moving forward, finding new ways to grow and evolve.”
The unpredictability of Portugal’s triumph is a reminder to fans and athletes alike—from the stadiums of Paris to the cricket pitches of Dhaka—that in sports, the game isn’t over until the final whistle. Whether it’s European football or Bangladesh Cricket, belief, grit, and timing can turn underdogs into champions overnight.