Czech Republic showed they had learned from their losing start against Lithuania

Michal Bílek's men missed a penalty when they produced a lukewarm display in slipping to a 1-0 loss at home to Lithuania last month. That result lent added importance to Friday's encounter with Scotland in Prague, where Roman Hubník's first competitive goal for his country hoisted the Czechs back into contention.

"We were under pressure before this game because we lost our opening game against Lithuania," said Čech. "We needed to win. Everybody was putting us under pressure because we knew that it was one of the most important games in the group stage. I think we did really well to win it."

Enjoying one of his quietest outings in his nation's colours against a timid Scottish attack, the Chelsea FC goalkeeper joined an increasingly anxious crowd in watching his team-mates fail to convert a number of opportunities. Hubník's 69th-minute header finally relieved the tension in the Czech capital, and eased fears their opening-game disappointment would be repeated.

"I think we put a lot of expectations on ourselves before that first game as we desperately wanted to start well," Čech said. "The last 15 to 20 minutes were very tough for us. We weren't patient, we started forcing things through and we didn't manage to score. This time the experience of the first game made a difference.

"We knew we were playing really well in the first half, creating chances, and we knew if we continued in the same way in the second half that we would have chances. The chance came; perhaps it was the fifth one we'd had, but it went in."

Victory leaves the Czechs three points behind leaders Spain and within touching distance of both Scotland and Lithuania, who are a point ahead of them in second and third spots. With a trip to face section minnows Liechtenstein next up on Tuesday, Čech is now looking for another maximum haul.

"We have to win that game. We are in the group of five, and already the first game didn't go as we would have liked and we dropped three points," he said. "When you play in the group of five, you can't afford to lose more than one game if you want to qualify. We did that in the first game, so we have to keep on winning."

Michal Bilek Announces Squad for up coming game For Euro 2012 Qualifiers

Czech Republic national team coach Michal Bilek has announced his 20-man squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Scotland on October 8 and against Liechtenstein four days later.

Bilek will have to make do without the services of in-form striker Milan Baros, who netted a hat-trick for Galatasaray at the weekend, due to a thigh injury. 

The Czech Republic coach opted to give promising youngster Vaclav Kadlec his first call-up to replace the former Aston Villa striker.

Furthermore, Viktoria Plzen midfielder Milan Petrzela, 27, is selected for the first time, while striker Lukas Magera returns to the squad after an 11-month absence. However, Martin Fenin is injured.

Lithuania's Darvydas Šernas told UEFA.com "the whole team won this game" even though it was his goal that earned the Baltic side a shock 1-0 Group I v

Darvydas Šernas's 27th-minute goal gave Lithuania a shock 1-0 Group I win in the Czech Republic, but the winger-turned-forward insisted any credit for the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying victory should be shared.

Having opened the section with a 0-0 draw at home against Scotland, Lithuania are now second in the five-team group thanks to the diminutive Šernas's header from Marius Stankevičius's cross. However, the RTS Widzew Łódź man was not interested in claiming too much glory for himself after the final whistle.

"The whole team played very well and gave 100%," the 26-year-old told UEFA.com. "For me, it does not matter much who scores; the most important thing is the team. The whole team won this game."

Certainly, plenty of visiting players emerged with plaudits, not least goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas, who blocked a Milan Baroš penalty and made a number of other crucial saves. Šernas and Karčemarskas are among four national-team players from the city of Alytus; something that has added to Šernas's enjoyment of Lithuania games. "It's always nice to play alongside people from back home," he explained.

World and European champions Spain – Lithuania's next opponents on 8 October – cast a long shadow over Group I, but beating second seeds the Czech Republic has shown Šernas that qualification is not a pipe dream. "The Czech Republic are a very strong team; looking at the clubs their players represent tells you a lot about them. Three points from this trip is fantastic. It gives us a confidence boost."

Striker Tomas Danilevičius, however, hopes that confidence can be kept in check, mindful that his side's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying tilt began with wins against Romania and Austria before wilting later on. "We have to avoid a burn-out like last time," he said. "Liechtenstein came very close to a draw in Scotland tonight. That shows that anything can happen and you can never relax."