Slavia successfully defend Czech football league title for first time since 1943

Slavia Prague have won the Czech football league for the second time in a row, after beating Viktoria Žižkov on Monday evening. For decades they have had been accused of being věčně druhý (forever second), overshadowed by the country’s richest club, Sparta Prague. So do Slavia’s two titles in two seasons represent a real power shift in Czech football?

Martin Vaniak, photo: CTK

Last year Slavia were rather unexpected champions, after their eternal rivals Sparta threw away a commanding lead. This time out Slavia led from the front, dominating in the first half of the season.

However, they were clearly weakened by the loss of some key players during the winter break, and sputtered rather than sprinted towards the finishing line.

In the end, though, they took the title with two games remaining after a 3:1 away win over Viktoria Žižkov, when a draw would have sufficed.

Veteran goalkeeper Martin Vaniak has been one of Slavia’s most important players since he signed with the club in 2007. How would he compare the two league triumphs?

Viktoria Žižkov - Slavia Prague, photo: CTK

“Every title brings its own feelings…I’m glad that we did it here and that we won, because last year we suffered until the end and the game finished 2:2. I think we’re going to enjoy this title a bit more yet. We have two games to go, and I hope we entertain our fans with some good football, because things haven’t gone too well lately. But we dominated today’s game and finally scored a few goals.”

A year ago Slavia Prague got their hands on the league trophy for the first time in 12 years, and the 16th time in their history. Defending that title, however, can be considered a success of another magnitude; the last time they won the league twice in succession was 66 years ago, with a team featuring Pepi Bican, during World War II.

Coupled with the fact Slavia also now possess, in the rebuilt Eden, the country’s finest football stadium, does their repeat success in the league spell an end to the previous dominance of Sparta? Can Slavia become THE power in the Czech game for a few years to come? That’s a question I put to Czech football legend Antonín Panenka.

“Slavia have of course taken a good step towards achieving that…But next season everything starts from zero again. I don’t think Slavia will have it so simple next year…other teams and stars could emerge to upset the hegemony of Sparta and Slavia somewhat. But still, for me, Sparta and Slavia are the favouites every year.”

Antonín Panenka also wished Slavia luck in the draw for the Champions League qualifiers. He said winning the Czech league was one thing, doing well in Europe was something else entirely.