Karel Poborsky, Vladimir Smicer and Pavel Nedved gave their all for the Czech cause in a tournament where the style of football they played will be remembered for a long time, and in which they participated in one of the finest games of football ever to grace the sport - the 3-2 victory over the Netherlands.

"The greatest game I have ever seen," said Peter Schmeichel, which was quite a compliment coming from the Danish goalkeeper, who had been in goal for Manchester United when they scored two late goals to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1999 Champions League final.

It will be of scant consolation to the trio or the team as defeat to the Greeks left them like other sides that played the best football such as the Dutch side of Johan Cruyff in the 1974 World Cup and the Brazil vintage of the 1982 World Cup short of a title.

While the World Cup finals are only two years away a demanding qualifying group awaits them with unbelievably the Dutch once again one of their opponents - following the Euro 2000 finals group, the Euro 2004 qualifying group and then here as well - and all three on the wrong side of 30.

Poborsky is 32, Nedved is due to turn 32 at the end of August and Smicer is 31.

Nedved may be the most at risk as persistent problems with his knees allied to the wear and tear of the Italian league must eventually take its toll.

It will be sad indeed if the last memory on the international stage of the mop haired creative genius is his missing the first-half volley and his leg connecting instead with a Greek defender's bottom.

While Nedved went round at the end of the heartbreaking climax congratulating the Greek players and talking to officials Poborsky - a different class of player to the one that disappointed at Manchester United after his Euro 96 starring role - was hunched dejectedly on his knees with his head in his hands.

The Sparta Prague star's hopes of celebrating becoming the first Czech player to reach the landmark of 100 caps in Sunday's final lying in tatters.

Smicer too just sat looking dazed on the pitch his contribution during the tournament like the younger Milan Baros a far cry from what Liverpool supporters have become accustomed to.

If this were to be the farewell for the trio then Nedved perhaps summed up the joy and the frustration in what he said to the squad when they sat dejectedly round the dressingroom after the match as was related by coach Karel Bruckner.

"Nedved told the team this is the best one he's ever played with."

One can only hope that dodgy knees and all he will be back with his two fellow Musketeers for the 2006 World Cup finals, but the odds must be that the stirring memories of the Dutch match will remain the testament to their great talent.