Which is more, you'll be Milan, Misun.

Week 18: FC Zbrojovka 1 - 0 1.FK Příbram

At the end of the tunnel, cometh the light

Winter is a marketing ploy. Stop the football, bring out the Olympics and starts the invasions. Snow optional. Assuming the worst is behind us and the temperature is now only going to increase, 'mild' is the most apt way of describing the winter past. Our collective winter break ceased last week, with Sparta Praha issuing a 4-0 reminder of the harsh realities of football regardless of seasonal discontent.

Anticipate this

FC Zbrojovka relocated to Turkey for a training camp over the winter break. The initial showing against Sparta - the champions elect - suggested that such an arrangement was not going to yield positive results. However, today's match has more relevance to our fortunes this season and ought to provide a better barometer to that end.

Today's opponents, 1.FK Příbram, are currently 3 points ahead in the league, but have the worst away record in the division. One of four teams (including Brno) yet to win on the road this season. Has to be a home win today, for all our sakes.

1.FK Příbram are the legal successors to Dukla Praha. The two teams merged in 1996, despite Příbram being 40 miles away from Prague. Little else in the line of trivia for this team. They're the only team in the league with the ř sound in their name. This is described by Wikipedia as a raised alveolar non-sonorant trill. Its manner of articulation is similar to other alveolar trills but the tongue is raised; it is partially fricative. It is usually voiced, [r̝], but it also has a voiceless allophone [r̝̊] occurring in the vicinity of voiceless consonants. It sounds like a combination of 'rzjg'.

Linguistics aside, 1.FK Příbram have some current links with Brno. Our former talisman, Petr 'Mercedes' Svancara, is currently on loan there, and their current manager (Petr Cuhel) was at the helm of Zbrojovka for our promotion from the 2nd division in 2012.

Two heads and the away fans

1.FK Příbram boast the presence of Milan Misun in their ranks. Formerly of Celtic, but never managed to break into the first team. Having originally been touted as a commanding full-back, he has reinvented himself as a lumbering centre-half. Could he have a crucial role to play in today's game?

'No' is the answer to that question. Nearly 4000 people are on hand to witness Zbrojovka take an early lead. Markovic tricks the defender (not Misun) with a sublime feint in the fifth minute, and slots the ball beyond a poorly positioned goalkeeper.

Five minute rule

The ball is played high and long and constant for sustained periods in the first half. Despite our early lead, the team lacks confidence and Příbram take advantage of this. A volley onto the bar is followed up by two goal line clearances, which from the stands looked like it comfortably crossed the line. However, there was no reaction from the away team and television replays show that the (female) assistant referee called it correctly.

Chances dwindle in the second half. Příbram lost their drive and their momentum. A few half-chances throughout, but Brno had a golden opportunity to double the lead with the last kick of the game, but the ball goes narrowly wide.

A clean sheet, and three points on the board. This win lifts Brno above Příbram into 12th at the end of this game week. With a long away trip to Liberec on Friday night unlikely to produce anything beyond a hiding to nothing, the next home game against Banik Ostrava looks set to be a six pointer. It's always fun when Banik come to town.

Highlights from fotbal.idnes.cz

A World Of Two Halves

Week 3: FC Zbrojovka 1 - 3 AC Sparta Praha

August the fourth. The football season has already established itself in the cultural calendar of right-minded people. I do not recall back-to-back home games last season - a rare occurrence in its own right; two Prague teams and we're being spoilt.

Brno, as we do not need to be reminded, is the second city of the nation. The Czech capital, Prague, has historically benefited from its privileged status. Sadly, comparisons between Birmingham and London ring true in this central European enclave. Prague is a beautiful town with culture and amazement on the corner; but is not immune to the pretentious elitism found in other 'important' cities.

In footballing terms, Sparta Prague are the show stoppers; the main attraction. Tonight's crowd of 9613 - 3000 larger than any non-Sparta game I have attended - reinforces this statement. Dominant in Czech(oslovak) football, amassing 35 league titles and 27 domestic cups, they have perhaps not had the impact in UEFA tournaments that one might expect, but can boast success in the precursor to the FIFA World Club Cup and the Mitropa Cup [A central European competition held in high regard before WWII].

With a slight, redcurrant tinge of irony; it was Sparta Prague and not Brno, that adopted Arsenal's original colours. Zbrojovka do not do imitation.

Sometimes, a floodlight block our goal...

Today's encounter begins with a lively tempo. Sparta, despite exiting the Europa League in the 2nd qualifying round to BK Hacken of Sweden in their woeful campaign, have found domestic form in the last six months and are playing with good movement and fluidity. Brno, unbeaten so far, are trying to respond in kind with reasonable success.

Creative bunch, these Prague-sters

Unbeknown to the seventy-five per cent capacity crowd, this game is one of the last chances to see Vaclav Kadlec in the Gambrinus Liga. He has since made a three and a half million Euro transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. He opened the scoring today, and scored a late consolation during Sparta's last trip to Srbska Stadion. For me, his most impressive performance was against FK Viktoria Plzen last season - Sparta won 1-0 at home against a defence-minded visitor. Kadlec definitely has potential, but also prone to unremarkable showings. Today, for example, in spite of his goal I was not overly impressed by his all around game.

Tifo this!

The one player who impressed me today was Sparta's new left back, Costa Nhamoinesu. Signed from Lubin in Poland's Ekstraklasa during the summer. Quite attack-minded with a bit of pace, while also displaying reasonably solid defensive qualities. An impressive start, given the step-up in quality between a mid-table Polish team and the biggest team in the Czech Republic. (I have also seen him on a few televised games already this season).

Calm (and lack thereof) before the storm

I cannot comment so much on the football today as I left today's game early. A combination of a poor seat and stormy weather drove me out of the stadium prematurely. Kick-off was shrouded in warm evening sunshine, flowing beer and the biggest crowd I have shared the stadium with. However, the weather changed dramatically during the interval. Blue skies turned black; the serenity of summer was breached with severe winds, and it rained and rained and rained. A tree even crashed down on the north stand, injuring three people. I heard the roar of the crowd come the Zbrojovka equaliser, and the night ended huddled around a TV set in the doorway of a small bar near to the tramstop. Sparta scored twice in the last five minutes while the rain lashed, and the tram came no nearer...

Begin Again From The Beginning

Week 2: FC Zbrojovka 5 - 1 Bohemians 1905

Aaaaah, football. Your six week summer break is far too long. Welcome back. You're forgiven as you bestow on the faithful a World Cup next summer. With Zbrojovka having the post-season testimonial, the hiatus seemed much less significant. New season, new aspirations, new football?

The season began last weekend, with an away trip to FK Baumit Jablonec, the reigning Czech Post Cup (Pohár České pošty) champions. They had already impressively added the Czech Super Cup to their trophy cabinet this season, winning 3-2 away to Plzen in the relatively new curtain raiser; it is the fourth edition, beginning only in 2010. Zbrojovka managed a 0-0 away from home, reduced to 10 men in the final minutes

Going on with the show. Play ball!

Today, we welcome Bohemians 1905 - not to be confused with the same-logo-franchising FK Bohemians Prague. One of two promoted teams from the second division. They're from Prague, too. A must win for the Zbrojovka.

The game has been moved to Monday evening; weekday fixtures seem to be standard for Prague derbies. With the previous weekend seeing temperatures over 40 degrees, it is perhaps not the worst by-product of zealous regionalism. There is a forecasted threat of a storm which thankfully does not materialise this evening; the ominous overcast sky is little more than errant foreboding.

As the stage is set, Bohemians 1905 take the lead with a simple but effective passing goal in the sixth minute. A short pass on the edge pass of the box wrong-foots the entire defence, and an inch perfect cross sees Brno fall behind early on. On the plus side, I saw the goals this time, whereas last season's opening game was generally spent queuing in an understaffed stadium. 5025 attended today; down nearly 1000 from last year.

A free-kick. Freeze frame.

Brno equaliser midway through the first-half. A high ball into Mohamed Traore is flicked with the knee past the defender and smashed into the goal. Traore, the number 28, is not a player I particularly rate. He looks fantastic in pre-match warm-ups: inch-perfect control with a diverse range of passing. However, in the game, it deserts him completely. Perhaps a confidence player, lacking belief or mental strength to perform in the big games?
That theory holds up based on today's game. Traore pulls off a few slick dribbles and is generally a lot more involved in the game today, but his impact is curtailed by woeful control and wayward passing before being subbed off at the hour mark. Scoring the equaliser - turning the tie around - will have done the bold Mohamed no harm.

The other standout in today's game is Miroslav Markovic; this season's number nine and (perhaps) the heir apparent to Svancara. Two goals and won the (soft) penalty that the captain, Zavadil, converted straight down the middle. Today's performance was characterized by slick, passing football - combined with amazing weather it's the perfect start to the season. Fortress Srbska?  With Sparta next up, we can hope.

GOAL HIGHLIGHTS [VIDEO]

100 Years!

Epilogue: FC Zbrojovka [CZE] 3 - 1 ŠK Slovan Bratislava [SVK]

Great souvenirs of greatness!

And so it comes to this. Following the highs [4th in the table mid-October] and lows [February until early April], the season is fully concluded with a game to mark 100 years of football in Brno. 

Slovan Bratislava are the guests for today's occasion. There is a friendship between the two teams - there were numerous Slovan fans in the away crowd on the trip to Ostrava - and Slovan themselves are reasonably well known in Europe - they are the Slovak champions and hosted Roma in the Europa League not so long ago. They are also the only Czechoslovak team to have won a European Trophy, collecting the European Cup Winners Cup after beating Dunfermline Athlete in the semis and Barcelona 3-2 in the 1969 Final.

There is a good vibe in the stadium today. The away fans are sat next to the home ultras [desegregated] and the weather provides a good backdrop to a Sunday evening fixture. This might be as close as one might come to a carnival atmosphere in central European football. There's plenty of beer and grilled food to cater for most tastes.

There are a few noticeable difference to today's game. With the international context to the fixture, both countries' anthems are played before kick-off (observed reasonably well on all sides); I became caught underneath a tifo which dominates the main stand; Zbrojovka line-up in a retro kit and there's a female referee. It isn't ironic.

The football itself is underwhelming; it's a post-season friendly and there isn't really a particular desire for either team to win the game. I don't believe Slovan brought anywhere near their strongest team. The referee awarded two penalties and Brno secured a 3-1 win.

Brno fiddled while Nero burned.

Fire, flares, smoke bombs, water cannons. All this and more. Seemingly, allowing two groups of ultras to sit together has seemingly inevitable consequences. The second half is somewhat farcical, with the fire brigade moving more than the players for most of time. The game had to be stopped due to burning objects (somehow) encroaching onto the field of play. The water cannon, which was well received by those not on the receiving end of it, generally quenched the worst excesses.

The other main story of today is Petr Svancara's last appearance for the club. The number nine; the captain; the local boy who bleeds for the club. Also known for wasting his potential and struggling to play more than 60 minutes a game all season. A clear standout in the team with a bit of talent and impetus, but deemed now surplus to requirements. The crowd applaud and chant 'Mercedes' as he completes a final lap of honour - the nickname sticking since he once compared a stint on the bench as similar to a Mercedes that stays parked in a garage.

Last time out of the garage for Mercedes.

Fireworks at the end of the night conclude the season. It could've been worse. It promised so much to begin with; a steady start and victory away to eventual winners Plzen in the opening weeks. Staying in the top division with such a limited squad was the main objective, but this season may be best remembered by the 11,000 that saw Zbrojokva stop Sparta winning the league. Next season? Jedeme, Brno, jedeme.

'Berec Syndrome

Week 24: FC Slovan Liberec 2 - 0 FC Zbrojovka

Following last week's optimistic, Lazarus display I feel sufficiently positive to undergo an overdue away day. With Zbrojovka travelling to North Bohemia to face the current champions, I choose to join. Unlike last time, I chose to make my own way there, not following the (away) crowd, as it were. Incorporating a brief stop off in Prague, four and a half hours is all that's required to reach Liberec by coach.

Der hall of town.

Liberec is not far from the German border, and would be considered part of the Sudetenland - and is known as Reichenberg in German. It has an industrial heritage, and the town's tourist office does not open at weekends. Thankfully, a very helpful girl in the local transport information office helped me find my way around, and provided a mini English language guide to the town. It was from 2009, but little has changed since then. I should also mention that Liberec does not make an appear in the latest edition of Lonely Planet.

There's still a few things to see and do. The centre-piece of the centre is the town hall, and the town boasts an impressive array of shopping centres. I have been told it is popular spot for tourist shoppers, and there are a noticeable number of foreign registration plates dotted around the town. The other main attraction (which I saw from some distance) is the Jested Tower, an antenna tower built atop of a mountain. It seems to be a source of local pride, and the skyline of the tower is featured on the badge of Slovan Liberec.

Slovan Liberec. I've seen them twice this season, losing both in Brno and Olomouc. The champions that struggled to rekindle their form earlier on in the season, and have now left things too late to mount a serious title charge. I was surprised to learn that they have won the league three times since the turn of the decade, and that's Sparta's dominance of the 90s heeded to an open, competitive league.

The home of the champions, Stadion U Nisy (literally Stadium near the Nisa river), has a capacity of just under ten thousand. It's sadly quite run down now, with the concrete steps crumbling. The main stand is built into the hillside, and the team dugouts are underneath the front walkway. I can't fully see the near touchline from my seat. In some ways, you are on top of the action, and there's no running track to subdue the atmosphere.

Grey skies, blue shirts.

There's not that many away fans today. I'd say maybe 50-75 in the away section, but there are a few Zbrojovka scarves mingling with the home fans. It's quite a laid back atmosphere with an older crowd than we that usually turn up in Brno.



Zbrojovka are unable to build on last week's result. A mistake-laden performance sees the away side lose 2-0. Slovan look a decent if unspectacular side, comfortable on their own turf. Both goals were well-taken by Michael Rabusic - a player signed by Liberec from Brno at the start of last season. He elected to make a point of celebrating on both occasions.

Homeward bound (via Hradec Kralove - a nice little town), and onto Banik Ostrava at home next week. A crucial, must-win tie beckons.

A Weathered Storm?

Week 23: FC Zbrojovka 2 - 0 SK Sigma Olomouc

For the second week in a row, there's a local derby. The previous week, Brno went westwards to face Jihlava. Despite comfortably winning the home fixture, Zbrojovka lost 2-0 playing against 10 men for more than 80 minutes. Somehow, Martin Dolezal, who handed Slavia a cheap victory, was back in the squad and responsible for the first goal.

Stop! Huddletime

All things change. Dolezal started this game again, however there is a new manager at the helm. Perhaps overdue, given Brno had only taken 4 points from the last possible 33. I'm also thrilled to report there was a lot better atmosphere outside the ground this week; thuggery was thankfully absent, and a very kind girl gave me a free ticket while I was buying mine. I'd actually just bought the ticket; paid for and had been printed, but the cashier kindly gave me a full refund. Maybe she was scared of scathing internet blog comments about her?

(I wouldn't; but it's certainly worth including how decent the whole situation was).

Today we face SK Sigma Olomouc. They would be my (distant) second team in the Czech league. Recently, they've had a sluggish return following the winter break, and have lost their last two game (0-3 at home to Sparta; 1-0 away to Liberec). It's unlikely they'll recover to re-enter the title race, but should at least aim for third and European qualification.

For Zbrojovka and the new manager Grmela, a derby match at home to a (relatively) out-of-form rival is quite a generous opportunity. The game is there to be won. And win they did. Very, very comfortably.

I wrote last time that Zbrojovka held the ball for long periods again FC Hradec Kralove, but lacked urgency and failed to create chances. Not the case in this game. There was a more directly approach and less emphasis on possession. Sigma, it should be said, were uninspired and were not helped by their half-time substitution being red carded midway through the second half. Zbrojovka capitalised, and our second half substitute scored a well taken goal a minute or so within entering the pitch.

Oh, and the weather was much better. Quite perplexed why only 3100 people turned up tonight, but the regulars that stayed away missed some good football.

Brno Business Like Snow Business

Week 21: FC Zbrojovka 1 - 3 FC Hradec Kralove

As stated before, winter is over. In a country where they stop the football season due to the coldness, one must conclude that the coldness owes it to football to stop once the season resumes. Fair play, as you might call it.

Not the case. Today's game was to be played in an unforgiving temperature with moderate snowfall for good measure. The supporters had to brave the weather today, a testament to commitment and dedication, however one overly dedicated supporter had taken it upon themselves to reserve every seat in the house.

Excuse me, is there anybody sat here?

Well, maybe not. Perhaps as a free gift, every supporter received a complementary inch of snow. But enough about the weather: although I will comment this is the first time I have attended a sporting event anywhere where tea was sold in a 10:1 ratio to beer. 

That said, today's crowd seems to encompass more sections of society than usual. There a noticeably greater number of women and families, and more oldies within the fanbase today. It is Easter Sunday, and I wonder if the two are related?

Maybe it's just the draw of FC Hradec Kralove. Not a team I'm overly familiar with. The name means Castle of the Queen. They had an unremarkable season last year, and currently sit joint-bottom at kick-off. They've acquired one point since the winter break, and were recently on the receiving end of a Milan Baros hat-trick. Baros being the top scorer at Euro 2004, who recently footed Banik Ostrava's wage bill and re-signed for the club on a short term deal.

Constant pressure

Today's game was one of Zbrojovka's more memorable performances of this season. There was a lot of ball retention, and the game was played primarily in Hradec Kralove's territory. Pavel Mezlik, the number 10 in the centre of midfield, had quite a sloppy start but came into the game after the opening twenty minutes or so.

Ultimately, Brno were undone by a shrewd counter-attacking game plan. Hradec Kralove had swift, reactive strikers that made more of the chances than they really should have. They scored three pretty similar goals, and had one or two further decent chances. Brno created more with a good success rate of crosses into the box, and deserved something for their efforts. Victims of a smash and grab today.

Today's away fans - Uncle Tom Supporters Club

The picture is from before kick-off, but there was a reasonable turnout from the away fans. They generated a reasonable atmosphere, although their enthusiasm was boosted by the early lead which they held for the full game. Today's crowd of roughly 1800 did not contest their enthusiasm too boldly. On a slightly disappointing note, I did witness a little bit of skinheadery outside the stadium today. Minor, and seemingly the club appoints like-minded stewards to keep things from spinning too far out of control.

Next week: Jihlava, however a very local away trip has been moved to a Monday evening kick-off which might prevent me from attending. However, Sparta come to Olomouc. Tempting.