April 19/09 - Olomoucký kraj - IV třída Prostějov Skupina A - Hrubčice 0 Sokol Kladky 5

April 19th, 2009

Olomoucký Kraj - IV Třida (10th level) skupina a

FC Hrubčice 0 Sokol Kladky 5 (0-0)

Attendance: 60

Admission: Free

Game rating: 6.5/10

Welcome to the lowest level of football in Czech pyramid. Hrubčice is a small village of around 800 people located 6km southwest of Prostějov. Getting to the village on a Sunday was slightly more difficult as buses are so infrequent to villages on weekends. So, I had to take a train to Bedihošt´ and then walk 2km to Hrubčice. The village is surrounded by flat farmland, and it also has a chateau, which is in need of renovation.

As for the ground of FC Hrubčice. It is located on the edge of the village. As to be expected, the pitch was slightly bumpy, and the facilities were quite old. A few benches were placed on the slope of a hill, which served as the main seating area. There were also picnic tables behind one of the goals.

The game itself was decent, especially given the level of play. In the first half, both teams played to a 0-0 draw, but it was the visitors who enjoyed much of the play. If luck went their way, they could have scored two or three goals. The second half was much the same, but this time Kladky took full advantage of their chances and ran out 5-0 victors. A few of the goals were well taken, and would not have looked out of place at a higher level.

April 5/09 - Olomoucký Kraj - II. Třida - Velká Bytřice 2 FK Lužice 0

April 5, 2009

Olomoucký Kraj - II. Třida (8th division)

Velká Bystřice 2 FK Lužice 0

att: 100

Game rating: 7/10

admission: 15kc

Velká Bystřice is a small town of a few thousand located about 10km north of Olomouc.  It was established in the 13th century as a road side stop.  Today, it is perhaps more well known for its handball rather than football, as the local handball team plays in the 3rd division of the Czech league.

The football pitch is a short 5 minute walk from the Velká Bystřice zastávka train station.  Right beside the pitch is an indoor/outdoor handball facility.  As for the football ground, it was pretty simple.  A few picnic tables and benches behind the goal.  A stand for beer and sausage and three or four benches lining one side of the pitch.

The hosts are pushing for promotion, and a win was certainly expected as FK Lužice sit at the bottom of the table.  As for the game itself, it was a little better than I expected.  The visitors pushed hard and didn't sit back, which frustrated the hosts.  In the end, the Velká Bystřice got the goals they deserved and were full value for the three points, but it was not as comfortable as they had probably hoped.

Mar 28/09 - MSFL - FK Apos Blansko 2 vs Sigma Olomouc B 2

March 29th, 2009 

MSFL (3rd division)

FK Apos Blansko 2 Sigma Olomouc "B" 2

Attendance: 650

Admission: 45kc

Beer: Cerna Hora (20kc)

Game rating: 8/10

Blansko is a town of around 20,000 located north of Brno.  A travel book describes it as being functional, because of its proximity to Moravsky Kras (a network of more than 1100 caves and gorges).  The town itself lacks the historical look for a tourist destination, but it was pleasant enough.

Football in Blansko has a long history, but it was in 2004 that the club rebranded.  Since then they have been promoted three years in a row, and they now find themselves in the 3rd division.  They are fairing well enough this year, and should be able to avoid relegation.

The stadium is easy enough to find, as it is only a 10 minute walk straight up a hill from the train station.  The main, and only stand, is quite old and has a capacity of a few thousand.  It sits rather far back, and high up from the pitch, which suggests it could have been bigger at some point.

With regards to the game, it was entertaining enough.  I wasn't exactly a neutral as I use to follow Sigma Olomouc quite closely, so I ended up being the only Sigma supporter at the game.he first half was quite cautious and rather dull.  However, the pace of the match picked up considerably in the second half with a red card, some chippy tackles, and a fantastic penalty stop by the Sigma keeper with about 10-minutes left.   

March 20/09 - Divize D - FK Mohelnice-Moravičany 2 SK Rostex Vyškov 0

March 20th, 2009 ´

FK Mohelnice-Moravičany 2 SK Rostek Vyškov 0

Divize Skupina D (4th division)

Attendance: 300

Admission: 20kc

Game rating: 7.5/10

Mohelnice is a small town of 10,000 people located about 20km north of Olomouc.  It is easy enough to reach as its on a main trainline.  The town centre is located about 2km north of the train station.

Now for a little background history of the town.  In 1623, during the Thirty Year War, the town was levelled by Swedish troops and around 30% of the towns' population died.  Over the next few centuries the town suffered fires and plague on a few occassions.   In 1938, Nazi Germany took over the town and brought it into the Sudetenland.  Soon after, many Germans moved into the town, and subsequently 95% of the towns' population was German.  After the war, most of the German citizens over the age of 18 were ordered to leave.

Mohelnice were promoted to the Divize D this year after they won the Olomoucký Kraj Přebor (5th division).  When I arrived to the ground, I was surprised to find out that they were using the artifical turf pitch located beside the main ground.  This was because the club is replanting much of the grass on the main ground.  

The game itself was decent enough for a neutral.  Mohelnice had only won two games in the fall portion of the season and Vyškov have aspirations on promotion.  On paper this seemed like a mismatch, but Mohelnice played above their level on the day, scoring a goal in each half.

Back to football...

The spring season has begun, so I'll be heading to a few more games.   Updates will follow...