Czech Footballers to Receive Relief as they are Finally Allowed to Land in Moldova – Sport.cz

Moldova has been under political tension for several weeks. Demonstrations were held in Chisinau where pro-Russian forces demanded the resignation of the pro-Western government and President Maia Sandu. In February, the head of state accused Russia of wanting to stage a coup in the country using the opposition. Moscow denied this.

After the opening home duel with Poland, the Czech national team will travel to Moldova for the second match of the European qualification on Saturday, March 25 in the afternoon, the match will be played in Chisinau on Monday, March 27 in the evening. If the situation worsens, it is possible that the national team will land in neighboring Romania and be transported by country to the venue of the duel.

“The international airport in Chisinau receives flights every day,” said Kázecký. He therefore believes that the security situation allows the Czech national team to land there as well.

After last year’s Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chisinau airport was completely closed for several months, it was only possible to fly from the Romanian city of Jasy. Now the airport in Chisinau is already in operation due to the modifications to the operation. “Airplanes can only fly from Moldova in the direction of Romania. Moldova is a relatively small country. Before they climb to a certain flight height in the direction of Ukraine, they (aircraft) would reach Ukrainian territory,” noted Kázecký.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Czech falconer and later legionnaire Josef Seidl lived in Chisinau. In 1911, according to Kázecký, he organized the first football match in the city, Chisinau’s football players met those from Odesa. Seidl’s commemorative plaque will be unveiled the day before the Czech Republic-Moldova match. “We are looking forward to the fact that some representatives of the Czech Football Association will have the opportunity to participate in this unveiling,” said the ambassador. According to him, this is a nice contribution of the Czechs to the history of Moldova and it shows that the Czech Republic has a long-term interest in the development of relations with the country.