For the benefit of those who enjoyed the story of the upstart Czech champions, I'm delighted to record that they are up to their tricks again, this time in the Champions league, and last night they doubled my beer intake, as I was watching them with the sound down while listening to us.
They had to go into the qualifying rounds, in the second round they stuffed a Moldovan team, in the third round they comprehensively beat Rosenborg Trondheim (1-0 away and 3-1 at home). Last night they were away to FC Copenhagen, experienced group stagers and hot favourites. I thought a 1-1 would be the best they could hope for (just as I thought a draw would be fine at Colchester), but they blew Copenhagen away by breaking all the rules and attacking them second half, to win 3-1. One and a half feet in the group stage for a little club with a salary budget around the same as ours and a stadium like the Withdean without seats.
The stadium is a problem for the Champs League, they are racing to rebuild it , but its nowhere near ready. Against Rosenborg they played with just the main stand open, but next week they will play in Prague at Slavia's stadium. I'll probably go along to see them. I hope they can get most of the redeveloped stadium open in time for the group stage. But they are already close to what for them is a huge cash benefit, and their supporters are in dreamland.
"You'll Never Drink Alone" :-)
Comments
keep it coming
i remember reading what you said about them in the league but when i saw the name of this thread i thought it was some boring old stuff about some famous old czech woman !!
Thanks Prague, any players to look out for in the second leg? I thought they got the breaks, but the third goal was lovely.
I missed the first installment: what's the story did they just pull off a miracle through good management and a crop of talent hitting at the right time, or is it a cash thing?
etrzela - rapidly fast right forward, always sneaking in the enemy´s territory and passing balls in front of the golie
Rajtoral - right defender. Bright and very sharp & strong wall with flashy attacks & centers into the front
Pilar - new guy, small. We call him the Pilsner Messi. Fast and skilful. Enormously fast with very good shots
Bakos - striker, which is always at the right place. Very clever with good hunt sniffing skills for the goal
Jiracek - offensive midfield. Guy with stability supporting the front. Reliable.
Limbersky - The under 20 former captain. Huge talent. He somehow didnt reach the sky, but the better it makes him now when he is showing some of his skills in a hidden way.
Fillo - Ambitious guy, which sometimes rocks the sky, sometimes completely burns off. He would need something in the middle…
So there we are. I'll be settling down with a cold glass of Pilsner in the stifling heat, and am pretty sure they will see themselves through to the group stages. Where they may or may not meet Arsenal.....
More from Lubos please - that's classic stuff. I'm wondering if BWP counts as the "John Smiths Messi"?
Is Limbersky Czech for Lisbie? He was always showing off his skills in a hidden way. And maybe Jiracek is Denis Wise in disguise (offensive midfield)?
As for Bakos I assume that is "Andy Hunt" sniffing skills he is on about?
Can you get Lubos to watch Charlton and give us his low down?
Anyway I hope they progress and I reckon they now have a few more English followers.
Indeed, when I turned on ESPN this morning I thought what the hell are Palace doing in the Champions League!