Sparta Prague's Champions League campaign ends in Madrid

Sparta net, photo: CTK

Unfortunately all the goals scored in the Champions League game between Sparta Prague and Real Madrid on Tuesday night went in the Sparta net. Sparta had an uphill task to say the least when they took on the mighty Real in the Bernabeu stadium, and even a less than full strength Real didn't have too much trouble overcoming the Czech champions - the final score; Real Madrid 3 Sparta 0.

Still, there was no score for the first hour, and one of the best chances in that period was missed by the Sparta captain Jiri Novotny, not long after half time. Things started to go downhill for Sparta in the 60th minute when an error by Sparta's Cameroonian player Abanda resulted in Real's opening goal. "It was a pity," said the ever-smiling Sparta manager Jaroslav Hrebik - "I was just about to take Abanda off."