Sparta footballers started the new season with a goalless draw with the Norwegian team Viking Stavanger in the opening game of the 2nd preliminary round of the European Conference League. Danish coach Brian Priske made his competitive debut on the Prague bench. Rematch is scheduled for a week.
While it was the first duel of the year for the Spartans, Viking is in the middle of the league season, as the Norwegian competition is played in the spring-autumn system. The winner of the double-header will face either Scotland’s Motherwell or Ireland’s Sligo Rovers in the next preliminary round, who are currently closer to promotion as they won the opening match 1-0.
Due to the disciplinary punishment for the racist banner of the fans during the European Conference League match in Belgrade against Partizan in February, Sparta had the 5,000-seat section of the auditorium closed, but thanks to an exception from UEFA, organized groups of supporters between the ages of six and fourteen accompanied by an adult could come. A total of 12,667 fans visited Letná.
In the absence of Ladislav Krejčí Jr., Hancko took over the captain’s armband, forming a stopper pair with one of the new players Zelený. Defender Mejdr, Sadílek and Fortelný (back from loan) and striker Kuchta joined the starting line-up.
Sparta threatened in the 12th minute when the ball bounced to Haraslín. The Slovakian winger beat goalkeeper Gunnarsson with a shot to the back post, but the Vevatne defender kicked the ball away on the goal line. Hanck had another chance after half an hour of the game after a corner kick, but he headed wide from close range. In the 36th minute, the guests also made themselves known, Frijónsson ran behind the defense, but Hancko blocked his attempt.
At the end of the opening act, the Vikings from Prague pushed back. First, Fortelný fired over from a distance. After that, Pešek found Kuchta in the box and the blocked shot of the former star player ended up wide. From the following corner, Wiesner headed and Gunnarsson pulled the ball to the goal line.
In the second half, Letenští created a great chance only in the 75th minute. Mejdr crossed from the side and the substitute Čvančar headed over from the edge of the small area. In the 86th minute, a cross from the side by Kabran created a problem for the Spartan goalkeeper Holc.
Sparta did not lose in the cups against the Norwegian opponent even for the fifth time. While Letenští played in the Europa League group in the last two seasons and last year qualified for the first knockout round of the European Conference League, Viking appeared in the main stage of the cups only in the 2005/06 season in the UEFA Cup (today’s Europa League). In it, he drew 2:2 with Slavia Prague.
Opening match of the 2nd preliminary round of the European Conference League:
Sparta Prague – Viking Stavanger 0:0
Referee: Lukjančukas – Kazlauskas, Mirauskas (all Lit.). ŽK: Wiesner, Fortelný, Čvančara – Björshol, Kabran, Pattynama, Gunnarsson. Spectators: 12,667 (limited number).
Sparta: Holec – Mejdr, Zelený, Hancko, Wiesner – Sadílek, Fortelný (72. Sáček) – Pešek (78. Minčev), Karabec (72. Daněk), Haraslín (64. Čvančara) – Kuchta. Coach: Priske.
Viking: Gunnarsson – Björshol, Brekalo, Vevatne – Kabran, Frijónsson, Solbakken, De Lanlay, Pattynama (87. Sandberg) – Karlsbakk (77. Vikstol), Tripic (60. Lökberg). Coach: Aarsheim.
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