Dominika Huzvarova of the Czech Republic beat all 15 rivals for the "Miss Euro" title and now hopes that her compatriots will have similar success at the upcoming Euro 2008 football tournament, dpa reported.
Huzvarova, 22, impressed a 10-member jury including German 1990 World Cup winner Guido Buchwald as she won the beauty contest ahead Filiz Heilmann of Turkey and Mariola Shabanaj of Greece.
"I am happy and proud to lend the Euro football event my face. Football is an exciting sport," said Huzarova, who has a soft spot for her country's footballers, for their skill and looks.
"Czech men also look good in shorts," she said.
The 16 finalists - from the countries represented at the June 7-29 football tournament in Austria and Switzerland - were chosen from 1,200 applicants for the pageant in the southern German town of Rust.
The women presented themselves on the catwalk in their country's football shirt, in an evening robe and in a bikini. Huzarova then won the pageant in an eight-woman final.
"I hope that Euro will provide us with attractive football. We have already been treated to attractive women," said Buchwald.