Sparta won their first title in 9 seasons on the back of an absolutely fantastic 2nd half of the season, Slavia following closely in 2nd and Plzen, who collapsed the 2nd half of the season, in a distant 3. The final Europe spot isn't decided, it could be either Bohemians or Slovacko.
Following the Sparta - Copenhagen match and while I don't like Sparta, they did just get kind of screwed out of an equalizer by a shockingly soft and unclear VAR call. The visitors capitalized on lazy defending (and a fortuitous deflection) to go ahead in the first minute. Sparta were lucky not to be buried on a breakaway in the first half, but since the home-side have definitely looked more likely to equalize than concede again.
Sparta finally get the equalizer they deserve in the 81 minute, and they have momentum to go for a winner.
FT 1-1, extra time about to start. Sparta sort of lost momentum following the immediate aftermath of the goal, but still the balance of play is in their favor. This would be an excellent chance to reach the group stages if they win s the winner of this match plays Polish side Rakow in the next round, and I think Sparta or Copenhagen would be considered favorites in that tie.
HT of Extra time 2-2... Sparta took the lead on an excellent FK, but then Copenhagen scrapped out an equalizer on a poorly defended long throw. I'm starting to think this will go to penalties. Maybe not, Sparta just went up 3-2 early in the 2nd half of extra time Now 3-3, exciting end.
Penalties it is. Sparta fail to advance on penalties, harsh result. Probably better for our coefficient that they play in Europa, but really feel they deserved this more after the disallowed goal earlier (although the match was chaos in the ET that anyone could win).
Plzen are through to the playoff of UEFA Conference league with a fairly easy 6-0 aggregate win over Maltese side Gzira. This was a big step up from their slow start in the previous round (and domestically) and they will be favorites to reach group stage against either opponent in the next round (Tobol of Kazakhstan or Derry City of Ireland are currently tied.). Slavia aren't far from advancing in Europa League as they are up 4-1 on aggregate against Ukrainian side SC Dnipro-1 with under 30 minutes remaining.
Plzen are more or less through to the group stages with a 2 goal victory in Kazakhstan. Having all of the big 3 in group stages would be crucial for our coefficient. Actually, apparently it ended 1-2 to Plzen with Tobol getting a penalty at the end... interesting, I could have swore that I saw FT when it was still 0-2. While a little less certain, Plzen will still be massive favorites against the opponent that has to fly over 10 hours next match.
Seeing some Plzen fans being fairly vocal about the fact Tobol were awarded a penalty in the 97' despite only 4 minutes of added time with no major stops. I can't comment too much about how questionable this all is, since I only had a match tracker, but it does seem a bit strange.
Slavia should be up about 3 goals by now, but their finishing has been poor. Then when they finally put it in the net VAR spots a handball in the build up that I still have yet to see. Still a lot of time, and the opponent is not showing much of anything.
HT 0-0 Slavia in complete control, but just not doing well in the final third. Sparta's match with Dinamo Zagreb is about to kick off, by all accounts they have the toughest draw of the Czech sides for this round.
Slavia finally breakthrough in the 81st minute... finally breakthrough isn't even right, they've been breaking through repeatedly, but Tijani finally gets the ball in the net which has been their issue. Sparta also ahead now with a penalty in the first half. That match has been very even overall so definitely an important goal.
FT Slavia 2 - Zorya Luhansk 0 Slavia finally found some semblance of finishing late to get a 2-0 win, really could have been 5 or 6 so they most likely are through as the opponent seems not so formidable. Sparta and Dinamo Zagreb are are 1-1 at halftime. Still a very even match, and kind of cagey and boring (this is the one I can actually watch a bit of).
Zagreb took the initiative in the 2nd half and Sparta's defense has completely collapsed. Currently 3-1, and unless Sparta can pull one back I'm doubtful they have much chance to advance at home.
Final qualification day for our club competitions, and coming into today 2/3 teams are well positioned to advance. Realistically the crucial one is Plzen for coefficient, since even if Sparta can't make a comeback they will fall in the Conference league group stage.
Sparta get a 2nd and are now even on aggregate less than 30 minutes into the match. Other matches are still 0-0; Slavia seem to be dominating the ball but not generating chances. Plzen in a more even match so far.
Plzen just scored, which probably wraps up there advancement, when I checked in they were starting to take the match over a bit. Slavia somehow conceded despite Luhansnk barely touching the ball all match... waiting to see a highlight on how exactly the messed that up. Still have a goal cushion and a lot more of the ball. Edit: seen the Slavia conceded goal, a decently taken shot from distance (too much space given), but Kolar should have saved it.
Slavia just conceded again, should switch to that match I suppose. The stats seem to have evened out a bit since they conceded against the run of play, so my guess is that the homeside is enjoying the momentum. Slavia will only have themselves to blame, they should have won the first leg by 5 goals minimum with the chances they had.
Plzen now up 2 goals (3 on aggregate) with 30 minutes to go, so one thing for sure is we will have 3 teams in group stages. Still a lot of questions for where with Sparta and Slavia.
Sparta now ahead on aggregate with 22 minutes remaining, complete turnaround from the first leg. Dinamo have evened it back up against the run of play (but in style) Slavia have finally done something and are back ahead on aggregate, is 10 minutes enough time for Kolar to screw up... I won't make predictions
Sparta back ahead with just a few minutes remaining, as it stands we have 2 teams going to Europa League and 1 to Conference League, which should be an okay position for coefficient points.
FT Plzen 3 - 0 Tobol (5-1 agg) Comprehensive and professional by Plzen FT Sparta 4 - 1 Dinamo Zagreb (5-4 agg) Did not expect this, but immense performance (minus one poorly defended counter attack) Zorya Luhansk 2 - 1 Slavia (2-3 agg) Very unimpressive across both legs by Slavia, they are in the group stage but this doesn't look like the Slavia teams that competed well at this level Overall a good day though, we needed all the big 3 teams in the group stages to rebuild our coefficient score. Slavia are confirmed to be pot 2, Sparta most likely will be 3 but not certain. Plzen too early to even guess
Europa League groups are in: Rangers Real Betis Sparta Aris Limassol (CYP) Interesting group, they drew the weakest Pot1 team, but a strong Pot 2 and sort of median pot 4 options. Top 2 is very feasible and top 3 (which includes a drop to Conference League) should be expected. Roma Slavia Sheriff Tiraspol Servette (CH) Slavia are getting the easy draws so far this year, which is good because they were among the weakest Pot 2 team in my opinion. They can, and probably should, advance from this group but not if they play like they did yesterday. The conference league draw should be soon, Plzen are in pot 2
Dinamo Zagreb Plzen Astana Balkani Avoided any of the worst options, and aside from having another long flight to Kazakhstan not a bad group. I would say Plzen should get top 2, but Conference League teams are a bit of a mystery so maybe I'm underrating the opposition.