Viola v. Slavia Prague : Let’s Dance, Champions League Style
By: Ted | August 1st, 2008As every Fiorentina fan worth his salt now knows, the Viola will be playing Slavia Prague in a two-legged qualifying match to determine entrance to the group stages of the Champions League. The first leg will be played August 12/13 with the return on August 26/27.
In some ways, these games are the biggest of the year for Fiorentina. If they win, they will move onto the group stages, providing matches for Fiorentina to get exposure on the European stage and also make the club a little money. These games are a big, big deal. A loss, on the other hand, will deprive Fiorentina of much of the very hard-won momentum they gained by finishing fourth last season.
Word around the campfire is that this was a good draw for our boys. It seems the teams to avoid were Atletico Madrid and the Turkish teams, and we did that. The great man and the players are respectful of their opponents and know they will have to play well to win, but those in the know seem to like the Viola’s chances.
I, by the way, am generally not one of those people “in the know.” It doesn’t help that I am spending the weekend in the mountains of New Hampshire and only have a spotty internet connection. But frankly, my knowledge of Czech football is pretty limited. In fact, here is the sum total of what I know about Slavia Prague:
1). The don’t like Sparta Prague. Naturally.
2). They qualified for the Champions League group stages last year.
3). And…Er….I think they play in Prague.
Anyway, I never claimed to be the blogger for the Slavia Prague page. I don’t know much about them. If anyone actually knows things about the club and has an opinion on our chances, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
Take care, everyone. I’ll be back in a day or so.
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Comments
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I don’t really know about Slavia Prague. From what I have heard, they are not as good as our men (Of course, they are the best!!!) Their reputation in Europe is not really good. If our men took PSV down last season, i’m pretty sure they can beat Slavia. However we still need to respect them. Miracles do happen in football, rite???
Posted from
Indonesia
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Slavia have arguably the greatest history of any Czech club, going back to the late 19th century. They were the best club in the country in the golden age of Czech football before WWII (and even won the Mitropa Cup, the closest to a predecessor that the European Cup had) in the late 30s. Traditionally the club of the educated bourgeoisie, they suffered under the Communists, whereas Dukla (the army club) rose to prominence.
They still are one of the most popular clubs in Prague (and the Czech Republic) and are slowly making their way back to the their pre-WWII level of prominence (while Dukla have falled to the amateur ranks), but took a long time to catch up with Sparta, which had much better funding in the immediate post-Communist period, and used that to repeatedly qualify for the Champions League, which extended their advantage over Slavia. Last year’s championship was only the second one that Slavia have one since WWII. For a while, they were controlled by the same company that owns Tottenham (and also controlled AEK Athens and had an interest in Rangers), but that is no longer the case.
There most recognisable player is likely Vladimir Smicer (ex-Liverpool), who is winding his career down at home. Their home ground is called “Eden” (and has been for a long time, though the current version is brand new). And they play in a distinctive kit of red and white halves with a large red star on the white half.
It’s a dream tie for football tourists, two of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and two attractive teams.
The Viola should win, but Ajax thought they were going to beat Slavia in the same round last season, and were very disappointed. Prandelli won’t make the same mistake.
Posted from
Italy -
Montolivo will be back for the second leg, right? (If he gets injured on Olympics duty I will hurt someone.) I know we have a pretty solid line up for the midfield even without him, but he brings so much to the game, and I’m worried about his lack of training with the team/exhaustion. I’m also worried about the second leg being only four days before the start of the season, considering (oh gods) our first match is against Juve.
Although honestly, I should stop worrying and just be glad Milan’s not my only team any more. (Then I’d really be stressing.) Forza Viola!
Posted from
United States -
I WANT A BOLOGNA BLOG!!!
Posted from
United States -
Hey guys is it true your team might be signing a kuwaiti goal keeper soon. All the press here is going crazy about it but I havent found anything in the international press.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/photo?slug=r445373177&prov=reuters
This is amazing news as a Kuwaiti. Im an inter fan personally, but I will have a soft spot for you guys from now on.
Posted from
Kuwait -
It isn’t quite clear what the arrangement is. Mencucci was definitely there, and there is supposed to be some sort of “cooperation” agreement with the Viola and either the Kuwaiti federation or one of the leading clubs, but it looks like the deal with Ibrahim may well be more of an extended trial than an actual signing. Truth is, they don’t really need another goalkeeper, what with Frey and Storari. Would still be a good experience for the player, I would think, and the commercial posibilities for the Della Valles (who already have quite a few shops in the region) are obvious.
Ben, I thought you were writing the Bologna blog . . .
Any thought on the new owners? They are at least less flaky than “Tapioca and Friends”.Angharad, Montolivo should be back for the second leg. The Olympic final is on the 23rd (and Italy may very well not make it that far).
Posted from
Italy -
Anyone have any guesses about the starting 11 against Slavia?Has Prandelli been playing the 4-3-1-2 with Jovetic behind Mutu and Gilardino? Looks like Vargas will be back from injury.
Posted from
United States -
I am back in the states
after a year in Florence and looking forward to the season. We went to most of the Viola home games last year and hope some of the games make fox soccer channel this year. I saw a web site that shows Serie A games via internet ($$) but only if you have a PC and I have a Mac. Such is life. Champions League is a step up and hopefully the boys will make a bit of a run, but unless their defense gets tighter I think they should keep their focus on Serie A.Posted from
United States
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