Czech Republic: Major Czech brewery offers 160 litres of beer to each national team player for qualification in World Cup

A major Czech brewery has offered 160 litres of beer which is the average yearly consumption of each citizen, to each member of the Czech national football squad irrespective of whether the team beats Norway to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Associated Press reported on November 11.

"We want to recognise the achievements of the team in one of the most difficult qualifying groups for the World Cup," said a brewery spokesman. "The offer is equivalent to a year's supply of beer," he added.

Players will only be able to take up the offer after the second leg of the play-off match against Norway in Prague on November 16, he added. The first leg is in Norway on Saturday.

16 November, 2005