Comments on: Viola v. Slavia Prague : Let’s Dance, Champions League Style

By: Miles

Miles — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:50:36 +0000

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.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:34:11 +0000

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.

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:07:51 +0000

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).

By: Mohi

Mohi — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:13:43 +0000

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.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:34:18 +0000

I WANT A BOLOGNA BLOG!!!

By: Angharad

Angharad — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:55:19 +0000

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!

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:42:32 +0000

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.

By: Ambrosius

Ambrosius — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:45:48 +0000

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???