Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was named best Czech footballer of 2008 here on Monday evening by a poll of players, coaches, officials and journalists.

The 26-year-old international finished ahead of veteran Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved, who won the European Footballer of the Year award in 2003, and Atletico Madrid defender Tomas Ujfalusi.

The former Rennes keeper has won 65 caps for the Czech Republic since making his debut in 2002 and was also named best player in his country in 2005.

Karel Jarolim, coach of 2007-08 Czech champions Slavia Prague, was named coach of the year.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2009)