Sparta Prague are currently undergoing some major cosmetic surgery, and as the bandages are being slowly peeled away I am beginning to like what I see. Gone is the prehistoric and deadpan general manager that was Jozef Chovanec, a legendary player and respected coach, but severely lacking in charisma and charm. The snarling centre back… [Read more…]
November 23, 2011
by marksmith81
Michal Bílek has divided public opinion since his appointment as Czech Republic national team coach in October 2009. Bílek has had a strong band of critics over the previous two years, myself included. But the 43 year old was given the brief of qualifying for Euro 2012 and he has delivered, somehow. Bílek started his… [Read more…]
November 10, 2011
by richardmflynn
Feeling nervous about the Czech Republic play off clash with Montenegro? Well, Irish nerves are also jangling as they look to end their playoff misery, Richard Flynn previews their crucial clash with Estonia. The European Championships in West Germany in 1988 was the last to feature a Republic of Ireland side. The one nil win… [Read more…]
November 7, 2011
by marksmith81
Former Sparta Prague player and manager František Straka is doing his utmost to win over the Slavia Prague fans, his side has now won 3 games on the bounce – which was unheard of under former management. Czech champions Viktoria Plzen were their latest victims at Eden; the 2-1 victory could prove pivotal in winning… [Read more…]
November 4, 2011
by marksmith81
The 22 year old former Sparta Prague striker Bony Wilfried is turning into a cult hero at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem and rightly so. Bony notched his eighth league goal of the season against local rivals De Graafschap, in fact it was the winning goal which sent Vitesse into the lofty heights of fourth place… [Read more…]
November 2, 2011
by Chris Boothroyd
With goals a plenty in this seasons Gambrinus Liga Chris Boothroyd analyses the attacking traits shown by the leagues top sides. For every Dukla Prague there is always a Viktoria Žižkov… Over the past weekend Plzeň walked through the Hradec Králové defence, then a day later Mlada Boleslav sauntered through the normally unreachable Sparta’s back-line.… [Read more…]
October 30, 2011
by marksmith81
It appears that schoolboy defending isn’t just confined to the English Premier League as the Czechs are are putting together a showcase of head scratching defensive mishaps. The previous seven days in England has seen Manchester City spank their beloved neighbours 6-1 and yesterday it was Arsenal who posted a ridiculous “jumpers for goalposts” score… [Read more…]
October 2, 2011
by marksmith81
Begrudgingly, you have to admire what Sparta Prague has achieved so far this season. They have come out of the traps like a scolded cat, 9 wins out of 9 in the league with a goal difference of +19. If this was Viktoria Plzen, Jablonec or Mlada Boleslav everyone would be waxing lyrical about the… [Read more…]
September 29, 2011
by marksmith81
Going to Milan was not just about the football, the City of Milan has alot to offer and I attempted to soak up as much as possible. Which resulted in 5 valuable lessons, natrually it makes sense to start with the football. Viktoria Plzeň are a credit to the Czech Republic – Matching AC Milan… [Read more…]
September 28, 2011
by marksmith81
I arrived yesterday in Milan and made the trip to the San Siro for the Plzen pre match press conference. Upon arriving at the stadium I was in awe at the sheer size, an absolute monster of a ground. Not so pleasing on the eye, as it kind of resembles an early 90′c NCP Car Park from… [Read more…]
September 25, 2011
by marksmith81
Viktoria Plzeň will travel to Milan knowing they face their toughest assignment yet, although their job has been made a bit easier as the Rossoneri have a treatment table full of players. Pato, Ibrahimovic, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Robinho and Kevin-Prince Boateng all have injuries and are doubtful for Wednesday’s clash. The most significant injury is Pato’s… [Read more…]
September 14, 2011
by marksmith81
As a Liverpool fan watching the Champions League over the last few years has felt like peering through a closed shop window. Instead of being able to shop at Waitrose, I have had to head down to Iceland on a Thursday night to watch Liverpool take on the European not-so-elite. Anyway, let’s digress from Liverpool… [Read more…]
September 4, 2011
by marksmith81
Czech manager Michal Bilek breathed a sigh of relief as the Czechs put their 3-0 humping from Norway behind them and snatched a 2-2 draw at Hampden Park. The Czechs were good value for the draw despite their defence looking like a group of players who had just met. Scotland on the other hand were lacking… [Read more…]
September 3, 2011
by Kuba Krzyzostaniak
The whole of the Czech Republic are talking about Viktoria Plzen and the Champions League, Kuba Krzyzostaniak was on hand to witness that victory over FC Copenhagen. Spending much of my life following the Polish Ekstraklasa, I’ve grown accustomed to watching Champions League and the Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup) from it’s earliest qualifying stages. While… [Read more…]
August 30, 2011
by Chris Boothroyd
Chris Boothroyd delves into the archive and works out if European Football is a burden to Czech sides looking to retain their title. Viktoria Plzeň’s qualification for the UEFA Champion’s League group stages for the first time in their history has undoubtedly been a fantastic achievement for the club. Their double victory over Danish Champions… [Read more…]
August 19, 2011
by marksmith81
Watching the Czech sides in European action this week was a complete contrast. On one hand you have a swashbuckling Plzeň side, which stand on the verge of rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite. Then you have a strong yet dull, robotic Sparta side that was humbled by depleted Romainian outfit Vaslui FC. Sparta Prague have struggled… [Read more…]
August 16, 2011
by marksmith81
Viktoria Plzeň have one foot in the Champions League group stages after a remarkable 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen. Whilst most of Britain have fallen victims of rioting and widespread looting, Viktoria Plzeň carried out their own looting in the Danish capital. Going into the game FC Copenhagen were favourite to emerge victorious, they have… [Read more…]
August 11, 2011
by marksmith81
Michal Bílek refused to step down as coach of the Czech Republic, after his side was handed a 3-0 beating by an average Norway team – their worst defeat in 17 years. Bílek still stands by his claims that he wants to lead this team to Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine. But, judging by the performance… [Read more…]
January 18, 2012
by marksmith81
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