Magical one hundred

Petr, what does this milestone mean to you?
A hundred is an insane number. I mean, I'm only 30. During my involvement in the national team managers have come and gone but they all believed in me and I'm still the number one keeper. Not to forget I've had to sit some games out due to injuries. There could have been more, but a hundred is a considerable amount. You don't exactly reach it every day.
Did your teammates congratulate you?
They pay close attention to jubilees like this in England. The boys knew about it of course and congratulated me before I left. Not too long ago Ashley Cole was celebrating the same jubilee for England. But he sure was lucky... He got to play Brazil at Wembley with the captain's band on his arm.
How do you remember your national team debut on 12 February 2002?
We were in Cyprus and it was a game with Hungary. I wasn't feeling great that day, I had a stomach ache. I did get sent in for about 75 minutes, though, and when I substituted for Vaniak, I was walking away with a clean sheet. I was thrilled to bits I got to play. I first got to stay on for the entire length in a game against Yugoslavia; basically a EURO 2004 qualifications rehearsal. It was clear I would begin the qualifications as number one goalie.
Do you think you may reach yet another hundred eventually?
I don't suppose that's realistic. I'd have to play till 40 and considering how exhausting Chelsea's programme is, I don't think it can be done. But then again, never say never.
Could you perhaps reveal which one of those hundred matches you will never forget?
Netherlands, UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal. We were losing and managed to overturn the score to 3-2. It was a sublime game, you couldn't possibly wish for more. Outstanding goals, performances and atmosphere. Of course all the play-offs which got us into Euro/World Cups are unforgettable, as well. These are always psychologically very challenging games. And well, if I were to name one more, I'd say our 3-0 win in Germany in the Euro 2008 qualifications.
You've acquired a lot of teammates throughout your representational career. Which one was the best?
Easy- Pavel Nedved. He's a Golden Ball winner, which frankly speaks for itself. He used to despise losing and he was a great leader. There were others which stood out by a great margin, for example Poborsky, Koller, Baros, Jankulovski, Ujfalusi, Smicer; I could go on.