Bilek signs contract extension as Czech coach

PRAGUE (AP) -Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek has been given a contract extension by the Czech football federation until the end of 2013.

The federation's executive committee announced the decision Saturday after a meeting in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria where the Czech team has a training camp ahead of the forthcoming European Championship.

The Czechs face Russia, Greece and Poland in the group stage of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Bilek was appointed in October 2009 after the team failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under his predecessor Michal Hasek.

Federation chairman Miroslav Pelta said Bilek's contract was extended until the end of 2013 to lead the team in the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The federation has an option to extend it again if the Czechs qualify.