August 30th, 2009 - MSLŽ - FK Olomouc 0 FC Brno B 2

August 30th, 2009 - Played at FK Nemilany

MSLŽ - 2nd level of women's football in the Czech Republic

FK Olomouc 0 FC Brno "B" 2

Attendance: 50

Admission: free

Game rating: 6/10

First of all, I should try to explain women's football here in the Czech Republic. The first division, called the LŽ is the only national division. The 2nd level is considered to be the MSLŽ here in Moravia and the ČŽFL in Bohemia. After that there are four third divisions in Bohemian and three in Moravia. So in total, there are three levels of women's football.

Women's football kind of takes a back seat in this country, and it has only been recently that it is starting to get a little more recognition. By this, I mean, traditional men's clubs are starting to add a women's side because the demand is slowly growing. With that being said, I live in Olomoucký Kraj, which has a population close to 1,000,000 and there are only two women's senior teams. Two! One in Olomouc and one in the village of Kostelec na Hané near Prostějov.

There was supposed to be a new team in Brodek u Konice, as they are still on the schedule, but not in the standings. So, perhaps they just did not play the first weekend?

It should also be said, that I think FK Olomouc is a renamed club. Up until a few weeks ago Nové Sady-Olomouc was listed in the schedule. They have played women's soccer for a few years now. It was not until last Friday that I noticed FK Olomouc, so I assume this is the old Nové Sady-Olomouc side? FK Olomouc play all of their home games, I think, at Olomouc-Nemilany, who have a 8th level men's football side.

I come from a country, Canada, where women's football is much more developed. However, I was quite pleased with the level of play on Sunday morning. The game was entertaining, even though FK Olomouc missed a few sitters. I will definitely head back to Olomouc to catch a few more games this autumn.

August 23rd, 2009 - Olomoucký Kraj - 1. B Třída - Skupina A - Sigma Lutin 3 Haná Prostějov 1

August 23rd, 2009

Olomoucký Kraj - 1. B Třída - Skupina A (7th level)

Sigma Lutin 3 Haná Prostějov 1

Attendance: 125

Admission: 20kc

Beer: Holba Šerák 20kc

Game rating: 6.5/10

Lutin is a small town of 2,000 located in between Prostějov and Olomouc. The biggest employer in the town is Sigma Pumps, and as you can see they sponsor the local side.

Sigma Lutin switched over from Skupina B (Olomouc region), to Skupina A, during the off-season. According to the local weekly sports newspaper, Lutin are considered one of the more ambitious clubs, and they are strong favourites for promotion.

Lutin won this game, but I would not say they were head and shoulders above Prostějov. Actually, it seemed that Lutin treated this game as a World Cup Final. They had this annoying habit of over celebrating their goals, so I wish them nothing but bad luck for the rest of the season. May they lose all of their games. haha I'm just joking.... best of luck to them.

August 22nd - Olomoucký Kraj - Okres Prostějov - IV Třída Skupina A - Haná Prostějov "B" 7 Zdětín "B" 1

August 22nd, 2009

Olomoucký Kraj - Okres Prostějov - IV Třída - Skupina A (10th level)

Haná Prostějov "B" 7 Zdětín "B" 1

Attendance: 13

Admission: Free

Game rating: 6.5/10

This was the 2nd round of games in the IV Třída, with Haná Prostějov "B" losing their first game 4-1. A regional weekly sports newspaper has tipped Haná Prostějov "B" as favourites for promotion this season. Based on their play against Zdětín, I would say that they are not far off.

The pitch where Haná plays is being redeveloped. From what I understand there will be a stand with capacity for around 120 people, and some sort of sports hall. The plan is to have the men's team of 1. SK Prostějov reform after a few years of inactivity. They use to play in the 2nd division but were relegated a number of times in succession. I have heard that 1. SK Prostějov wants to play in the Czech 4th division next year. I am not sure where this will leave Haná Prostějov, but I have hopes that they will be able to share the new facility with 1. SK. One thing is for certain, I will not be jumping ship and supporting 1. SK next season.

As a result of this reconstruction, the pitch and surrounding area is a mess. The few rows of cement steps have been removed; there are fences everywhere; and it is very muddy. It certainly will not be a very nice place to watch a game this season.

The first half was very one-sided, with Haná domininating the play. I do not think the visitors even had a shot on goal. The second half was much the same, and Prostějov were full value for the win.

August 6th, 2009 - Europa League - 3rd Qualifying Round - Sigma Olomouc 3 Aberdeen 0

August 6th, 2009

Europa League (3rd qualifying round, 2nd leg)

Sigma Olomouc 3 Aberdeen 0 (Sigma Olomouc advances 8-1 on aggregate)

Attendance: 7500

Admission: 150kc

Game rating: 7/10

The 2009/10 Europa League is Sigma's first venture into Europe since the 2005 Inter-Toto Cup. They hadn't played in the UEFA Cup/Europa League since 2002 when they went out to Sarajevo on penalties. In the 2nd qualifying round Sigma edged out Fram (Iceland) 3-1 on aggregate to advance to the next round. Most thought Aberdeen were the better side, and would advance without much problems. However, things certainly didn't turn out as expected.

Sigma easily won the first leg in Scotland 5-1, which essentially made the second leg meaningless. Around 300 Aberdeen supporters still made the trip, and full credit to them for following their team in what was a hopeless situation. Aberdeen were completely out of sorts for both legs. To put it politely, they looked awful.

The second leg wasn't that much different from the first one. Sigma scored early, and often, with three goals in the first half. With a little more luck, they could have had one or two more in the second half.

Olomouc now advances to the Europa League playoffs against Everton (in Everton on August 20th and Olomouc on August 27th). The winner advances to the Europa League group stages.