Gambrinus Liga - 17th round - Feb 18-20 [R]

[Canadian_Supporter]

Well, the Czech first division finally gets back to league play this weekend. The second half of the season is setting up to be rather interesting. Can Slovan Liberec hang on to first, or will Slavia make a push for the title? Can Sparta make their way out of mid-table obscurity? Can Pribram, Jablonec, and Boleslav challenge for a Champions League spot? Will Brno make the drop the 2nd division?

Feb 18th
Sparta Praha vs Slovan Liberec
Jihlava vs Brno
Slovacko vs Zlin
Ostrava vs Most

Feb 19th
Jablonec vs Slavia
Sigma Olomouc vs Viktoria Plzen
Chmel Blsany vs Mlada Boleslav

Feb 20th
Teplice vs Marila Pribram

- I would say the big game at the top of the table has to be Sparta vs Liberec and Slavia vs Jablonec. Sparta needs a win against Slovan Liberec. If they lose, they basically have no chance of winning the league. Although, 15 points back is probably too much to make up in 14 games. However, one cannot count out Sparta. Slavia and Jablonec both need three points to put more pressure on Slovan and Teplice.
- At the bottom of the table, Jihlava vs Brno is important for both clubs.

Standings - as of 16 rounds
1. Slovan Liberec 35pts
2. Teplice 30pts
3. Slavia Praha 27pts
4. Marila Pribram 24pts
5. Jablonec 24pts
6. Mlada Boleslav 24pts
7. Sigma Olomouc 23pts
8. Tescoma Zlin 22pts
9. Sparta Praha 20pts
10. Viktoria Plzen 20pts
11. Banik Ostrava 20pts
12. Vysocina Jihlava 17pts
13. 1. FC Slovacko 16pts
14. Brno 15pts
-----------------------
15. Chmel Blsany 15pts
16. SIAD Most 13pts

- In other news, I'm finally getting to watch Sigma Olomouc play in person on March 5th. They are away to Marila Pribram, and I'll be at the match. :) I haven't seen them play in person since September of 2002. Far too long... :(

[Andre v2.0]

Just one question.

How many Europe spots does the Czech league get?

[Canadian_Supporter]

As of last year, they had 2 in the Champions League, 2 or 3 in the UEFA Cup, and 3 in the Inter-Toto Cup. Depending on the year they can have up to 7 clubs in European competitions.

Although, I heard next year UEFA is reworking the Inter-Toto Cup, which will probably change the number of clubs the Czech FA enters into the competition.

[Canadian_Supporter]

Three games have been postponed because of the conditions of the pitch.

Sigma Olomouc vs Plzen
Banik Ostrava vs SIAD Most
Chmel Blsany vs Mlada Boleslav

Hopefully things get sorted out for the 19th round (March 4-6), as I'm hoping to catch Sigma game in Olomouc and the 1. FC Slovacko vs Slovan Liberec game in Uhreske Hradiste.

[Canadian_Supporter]

A few games were played over the weekend.

Teplice 2
Marila Pribram 1
att: 2057

Jablonec 0
Slavia Praha 2
att: 3690

Slovacko 2
Tescoma Zlin 0
att: 3733

Vysocina Jihlava 0
Brno 0
att: 580

Sparta Praha 1
Slovan Liberec 2
att: 14,676

- Hahaha Sparta lost. :) They are now only four points above the relegation zone.
- The Brno/Jihlava match was played in Prague because the Jihlava ground is under construction. Thus, the tiny crowd.

[Canadian_Supporter]

The three postponed games in this round have been rescheduled...

Mar 22
Sigma Olomouc vs Viktoria Plzen
Banik Ostrava vs SIAD Most

Mar 29
Chmel Blsany vs Mlada Boleslav

[Canadian_Supporter]

Two postponed games from this round were played yesterday.

Sigma 1 Plzen 1
- Another draw for Sigma at home against a team they should beat. :(

Blsany 1 Mlada Boleslav 0
- A late goal gives Blsany a crucial win. If MB won, they would have climbed even closer to the CL spot. However, I'm still not convinced that MB will get a place in Europe. With the win, Blsany climb out of last place.

Ostrava vs Most will be played later today.