December 30, 2011 - Hockey exhibition - HC Přerov Boys U18 1 Canada Girls U18 5

December 30th, 2011

International ice hockey exhibition

HC Přerov Boys U18 1 Canada U18 Girls 5

Attendance: 400

Admission: Free

This match was played as a warm-up for the Canadian U18 Girls side, who are set to play in the 2012 U18 Girl's World Championships, which began on December 31st in Přerov and Zlín.

I had never been to the arena in Přerov, so I was looking forward to my visit last week. It is a shame I hadn't been able to get to Přerov a few years earlier to see the old arena before it was renovated. Based on the pictures I looked at, it was oozing with character. A classic, old, Czech arena. However, it is safe to assume that it needed renovation, and it didn't come to much surprise to see that the city redeveloped the arena a few years back. Now, it is a fantastic looking 3,500 seat arena.

Since I couldn't make it to any of the games, I decided to take in the exhibition game between the Canadian U18 girls side and Přerov U18 boys. I wasn't sure what to expect, as girls hockey isn't too popular in this country, especially compared to Canada. I was surprised when about 400 people showed up on a Thursday afternoon. However, I wasn't surprised to see Canada run away with the win. They were better technically, much more fit, and could have won by more, based on the last two periods of play.

December 11, 2011 - Olomoucký Kraj Futsal - Relax Prostějov 7 AC Gamaspol Jeseník "B" 2

December 11th, 2011

Olomoucký Kraj - Futsal (4th tier)

Relax Prostějov 7 AC Gamaspol Jeseník "B" 2

Attendance - 30

Admission - Free

December is usually a football free month (the 1st division had one round in the month this year), so I must look elsewhere for my football fix. A few weeks back I made the short 5-minute train trip to the near-by village of Kostelec na Hané to watch an Olomoucký Kraj futsal match. The league falls into the 4th tier of futsal in the country.

Relax Prostějov last year played all the their games in Šumperk, which is where the weekly tournaments were played. This year, they are being spread around a little more, with tournaments taking place in Šumperk, Kostelec na Hané, and Mikulovice. I certainly appreciate it, as it gives me a chance to see the highest level of futsal in the city.

Admission to all the games on the day was free. Despite this, a crowd of mostly friends and family showed up, with a smattering of local village kids. It is too bad, as the level of futsal was certainly entertaining, with Jeseník being a younger squad, while Prostějov were the much more experienced side. This showed, as the hosts ran away with an easy victory. So far this year they have played 6 matches, and have won them all. Last year, they finished first in the competition, and I was hoping they would get promoted to the Divize (3rd tier), but sadly this didn't happen.

November 19th, 2011 - Jižní Moravy a Zlín - Hockey - Plumlov 4 Uherský Brod 3

November 19th, 2011 - Jižní Moravy a Zlín (4th tier)

Plumlov 4 Uherský Brod 3

Admission: 20kc

Attendance: 20

As football in the lower divisions is on a winter break, I must look to a few other sports over the next few months. Since I am Canadian, hockey seems like a logical choice.

On the night when Jestřabi Prostějov (3rd place in the 3rd tier of hockey), played a crucial derby game away to Přerov, I decided to see what kind of a turn out Plumlov would get. Jestřabi Prostějov typically gets around 1,200-2,000 fans a game. Plumlov on the other hand gets 20-50. They have to play their games in Prostějov, as the town of Plumlov (population 2,000), doesn't have any proper facilities for hockey.

I heard that around 400-500 Prostějov supporters went to Přerov, and that the atmosphere was fantastic as usual. Things couldn't have been any more different at the Plumlov game. I walked into the arena a few minutes before the puck dropped. The lights were dim, and I counted one person on the far side stands, and one other in the stands closest to the main doors. As the puck dropped, a few people slowly stepped out of the arena pub, more out of nothing better to do, I suspect. The game itself was quite good, as are most at this level. Usually they are quite high scoring, as the players tend to make quite a few mistakes.

The game had zero atmosphere. Most people couldn't be bothered to clap if there was a goal. Two or three people from Uherský Brod made the trip, which helped push the crowd to 20 people. I wonder, does Plumlov have any supporters? The town isn't too far away, so how come they don't come and support a club which has had a long history?

Winter break

So, the winter break is upon us, except for a two more rounds of the Gambrinus Liga. Over the break, I plan on posting a few football matches which I haven't gotten around to doing yet. I'll also post the odd futsal, hockey and handball match. Keep an eye out for football guides to Prostejov, and Olomouc. I plan on writing about how to get to the various pitches, pubs to visit, and where to stay.

I'll be back to live football sometime in mid-January for winter training matches.

November 6, 2011 - Okres Prostějov - III třída - Bedihošt 1 Smržice 5

November 6, 2011

Okres Prostějov - III třída (9th tier)

Bedihošt 1 Smržice 5

Attendance: 40

Admission: 15kc

I finally got to another ground a few weeks back, and this time I only had to make the short 4km trip. I have been meaning to get to Bedihošt for some time now, but for one reason or another, I had not managed to get there.

There are a few buses on the weekend from Prostějov, but it is generally easier to take the train, as they are more frequent. It is also possible to walk, as there is a paved path from Prostějov. Of course, a car is useful.

To get to the ground from the train station, it is about a 10 minute walk. The pitch was in decent shape, but other than that, the facilities are quite basic. A few years ago, they had an old cement wall going down one side of the pitch, but it seems that has been replaced by a metal wall now. There is almost no room for renovations, as there are only 3-5 meters on both sides between the pitch and the walls.

Much like all Czech village grounds, it is possible to get various shots of alcohol, beer, and sausages. Despite the 10am kickoff on a Sunday morning, many people were enjoying their first, or second beers of the morning.

The visitors on the day were deserving of the victory, but the final score line was a little harsh on the hosts. Even though the level of play was the 9th tier, I thought it was quite a strong and attacking game to watch. I'd much rather pay 15kc than 80kc, or whatever it is now, to go and watch Sigma Olomouc play.