Sparta Prague

Czech Name: AC Sparta Praha

Sparta Prague Club History & Facts

Sparta Prague known as Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic were formed in the old Czeckoslavakia in 1893. Their nicknames are Zelezna Sparta which means Iron Sparta and Rudi [The Reds].The name Sparta came about due to the spirit and courage shown by people in the ancient city of Sparta.They play their home matches at the Axa arena [Letna Stadium], their stadium’s capacity is 20,111.

They play in the Czech top division called the Gambrinus liga, they were the 2008 runners up in that league. They have been league champions a total of 35 times, 24 as a Czechoslovakian team and 11 in the Czech Republic. Sparta have won the Czech Cup on 5 ocassions between 1996 and 2008.

Sparta won the league title back in 2010 after finishing 2nd in 2009 in the Gambrinusliga. Sparta had another second place finsih in 2011 after losing out to FC Viktoria Plesn.

Sparta European Performance

Their most impressive european showing came in the 1992/93 Champions league season, they reached the semi-finals that year defeating Glasgow Rangers on the way.

They are more internationally renowned than their city counterparts Slavia due to their involvement in the Champions League and production of world class talent such as Chelsea’s Petr Cech and Arsenal’s Tomasz Rosicky and former Liverpool star Patrik Berger.

Their current manager is Josef Chovanec and the club chairman is Daniel Kretinsky. Today’s star playerts include striker Miroslav Slepicka and Cameroon forward Leonard Kweuke.

Slavia Prague

Czech Name: SK Slavia Praha

Slavia Prague Club History & Facts

Slavia Prague were formed in 1892 and play their football at the Stadio Eden. Their stadium holds 21,000, a 1,000 more than their rivals Sparta. Their full Czech name is Sportovni Klub Slavia Praha.

The club has produced the likes of former Liverpool stars Patrik Berger and Vladmir Smicer. They won the Czech League championship in 2009, but do not have a colourful history in European football.

Slavia got one over on their neighbours by beating them to 2009′s Gambrinus league crown. Slavia followed up their title success with disappointing 7th place finish in the 2009/2010 campaign. Slavia slumped to a rather disappointing 9th place finsih in 2011 much to the bemusement and anger of their loyal supporters.

Slavia European Performance

They were humiliated in the group stages of last years Champions League when they lost 7-0 to Arsenal, a record Champions league defeat at that time.

Striker Josef Biscan is a folk hero at the club, he boasts one of the most impressive goal scoring records in their history of football. Midfileder Frantiesk Vesley spent 16 years at the club and became a stalwart of the Czechoslovakian national team as well.

Their current head coach is Michel Petrous and the chairman is Miroslav Platil. Slavia were eliminated at the group stage of the 2009/2010 Europa League tournament and haven’t appeared in a European competition since.