PLZN

The Czech Republic have been handed the perfect incentive to win Euro 2004 - enough free beer to float a small ship. The players are in line to receive 160 litres of ale over a 12-month period, while coach Karel Bruckner will get 60 litres a year for the rest of his life. The offer was made by the Bernard brewery, which based Bruckner's amount on the average Czech's annual consumption of beer.

Brewery spokesman Zdenek Mikulasek said: "While they will earn a lot of money if they win, we think the offer of free beer on top is extra motivation for the team and will inspire them to go for gold. "They have a chance of winning and we really want them to." If the Czechs do win the tournament and take the brewery up on their offer, they'll become the best pub team in the world. Probably.