FK Viktoria
Žižkov is a professional football club from Žižkov, a district in the Czech
capital of Prague since 1928, who were formed in 1903.
The club
played its game at Nad Ohradou, enjoying their most successful spell as the
lifted the Czechoslovak Cup in 1913, 1914 and 1916. Following World War I,
further trophies were lifted in 1921, 1929, 1933, and 1940; but the greatest
triumph came in 1928 as Viktoria were crowned as league champions.
Viktoria looked to build a new ground on
Žižkov Hill, but settled for a new arena at Na Třebešíně in Strašnice.
Following their league triumph they built their own new Stadion Viktoria on Na
Seifertova, close to the city’s central railway station, as their previous home
became a cycling velodrome.
Viktoria
were hit with a terrible blow as their skipper Karla Steinera, died suddenly in
the early 30’s and then the team were relegated. Despite regaining their top
flight spot Žižkov, went back down in 1941.
After the
Second World War, communist rule took over in Czechoslovakia. This did Viktoria
no favours as an independent football club, as the laws of the government
stated that players must represent any teams of their employers. This
particularly suited Dukla, the team of the army and Sparta, the team of the
police.
It also led
to the historic Viktoria name disappearing from the club title, as they became
Sokol Viktoria Žižkov in 1950, Sokol ČSAD Žižkov a year later and then TJ
Slavoj Žižkov following a merger with Avia Čakovice. In 1965 the old name was
revived.
In 1973 the
club became TJ Viktoria Žižkov Strojimport, then TJ Viktoria Žižkov PSO in 1982
before FK Viktoria Žižkov once again a decade later.
The
dissolution of Czechoslovakia was good news for Viktoria fans as well as the
country as a whole as they at last claimed their top flight place once again
thanks to the patronage of Vratislav Čekan, having slipped all the way down to
the fourth tiered Divize in previous spells.
In their
first season back in the top tier Žižkov went on to lift the Pohár FAČR (Czech
Cup) as they defeated Sparta Praha on a penalty shoot out after the game ended
2-2 after extra time at Stadion Evžena Rošického under the stewardship of Jiří
Kotrba.
In the
following season’s UEFA Cup, Viktoria knocked out IFK Norrköping, with the aid
of a Karel Poborský goal before going out to Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate despite a
couple of goals from Jozef Majoroš as Luděk Vinš bought the club.
In the
league Žižkov consolidated their place in mid table before Viktoria returned to
Strahov Hill to lift the Pohár once again in 2001, as an extra time goal from
Aleš Pikl helped his team to a 2-1 victory in extra time against Sparta.
This led to
another UEFA Cup campaign, but FC Tirol Innsbruck eliminated them in the first
round. However, Zdeněk Ščasný’s side finished in third place in the league. The
following seasons UEFA Cup efforts saw wins against SP Domagnano and Rangers
before Real Betis ended the run in the second round with Vítězslav Lavička in
charge of the team.
Viktoria
ended the 2002-03 season once again in third place. In the qualifying round of
the following seasons UEFA Cup Zhenis Astana were dispatched, before Brøndby IF
ended any further hopes of European glory.
The team
were relegated to 2. Liga at the end of the 2003-04 campaign amid a corruption
scandal which rocked Czech football and leading to manager Ivan Horník being
interrogated by the police. It would take until 2006-07 for Viktoria to return
to the top division as they were crowned as champions of the second tier. In
2008-09 the team were relegated once again, after finishing bottom of the
table.
In 2010-11
Žižkov reclaimed their Czech First League place as runners-up to Dukla Praha
under head coach Martin Pulpit with fine goalkeeping from Tomáš Vaclík and the
goals of Miroslav Marković. Pulpit was sacked the following November to be
replaced by Roman Nádvorník, but he couldn’t save the side from yet another
demotion as Vaclík was sold to Sparta as the financial situation at the club
became serious.
The team
regrouped and finished in a promising fourth place in 2014-15, but the club
were rocked with the news that they were not to be granted a professional
license for the following season because of financial irregularities. They were
placed in the third tier ČFL for 2015-16.
Jiří Rýva
bought Viktoria as Zdeněk Hašek’s side finished in third place in the ČFL,
winning promotion back to the 2. Liga FNL. Hašek was surprisingly dismissed in
December 2016 to be replaced by David Vavruška.
My visit
FK Viktoria
Žižkov 6 Baník Most 0 (Sunday 13th March 2016) Czech Republic 3. Liga ČFL (att:
716)
Going to
Viktoria was probably the highlight of my long weekend in Prague. I had heard
plenty of good things about the club and inner city stadium and I had certainly
been taken by Žižkov.
On my first
evening out, the previous Thursday I’d immediately fallen for the bars and
their laid back attitude to life. In the excellent bohemian Hospudka Nad
Viktorkou just around the corner from the stadium on Borivojova, I’d got
chatting to three younger locals who gave me some cracking local pub tips and
good vibes about the local team. They told me they’d be at the game and the
fans sang about the must try local sausages!
After a
couple of days of football, sightseeing and thoroughly enjoying the local bars
I awoke full of enthusiasm on Sunday morning in readiness for a 10.15am kick
off. Although I’d been to a start at the same time at Aritma the previous day,
this one was virtually on my doorstep and in a proper stadium.
Feeling
rather lazy and with a travel pass for the day I jumped on the tram a couple of
stops down the hill on Seifertova to alight at Husinecká. I paid 50 CZK
admission (around £1.45!) and then another 10 CZK for a programme before
treating myself to a Viktoria beanie hat. Looking around it was evident that a
few fans had partaken in a “big” Saturday night, and indeed Sunday morning!
It was then
to have a proper look at Stadion Viktoria. The nearest stand at the Žižkov was
open and semi permanent on scaffolding. Down the far side was a steep sided
open bank of seating which backed onto the tall buildings of Vlkova. The far
end was a smaller open seated bank, which the fourth side was made up of a
slightly raised covered Main Stand with an open paddock in front of a few
steps. In the corner near the entrances was a modern block serving hospitality
and club offices. It was not dissimilar to PAT Stadium, the home of Port FC in
Bangkok.
Of course
there was a fine selection of sausages on sale from two different concessions
behind the home end stand. I had one to start with and then popped down just
after kick off for another and a beer to wash it down. Well it was getting near
10.30am!
Žižkov tore
into their opponents from the start, even though it took until the twelfth
minute before Michal Pavlata slotted home a neat cut back. It was 2-0 eight
minutes later thanks to Miroslav Podrazký. I had visions of a cricket score
when Tomas Docekal fired home with twenty minutes of the first half remaining.
However, the
visitors who I also saw referred to as Mostecký FK, stabilised and put an
occasional move together of their own. They were backed by a doughty band of
thirty or so fans behind the far goal. At half time a home official took a box
of sausages for them to buy. They seemed to be rather gratefully received!
I took up a
seat in the covered seats in the second half. I’d had my own fair portion the
night before and the cold morning was taking its effects. The Most side were
doing their best but I felt that it was only going to be a matter of time
before Viktoria would find a way through.
It would
take an excellent goal from Docekal with just over fifteen minutes to go to
make it 4-0 as he went on a long run, exchanging passes before scoring. A Jan
Svatonský made it five on seventy seven, before Podrazký completed his brace
with ten minutes to go.
Some lads
from the north east of England were sat a few rows down from me. I asked them
if they knew of any sports bars in Žižkov to watch that afternoon’s FA Cup
action from back home. They had found a couple of Irish bars in town, but we
had a good laugh at their lament of being charged £2 a pint in there! I loved
Prague!
At full time
the Viktoria players took their time going to thank the fans behind the goal
and then those in the paddock, shaking hands and pausing for selfies. This
really was a community based club.
I have to
admit to feeling some real affinity towards Viktoria Žižkov as I trudged down
the slope and out of the gates. I wandered into town through the central
station to look for some lunch before I set off on my afternoon’s adventures.
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