From early in the morning, when the sun was still rising, the show was already filled with the arrival of the public of different classes. It was the inauguration of the Estadio Catalán — and what an inauguration! Facing A.C. Sparta, the F.C. Barcelona enthusiasts had the mission and the perfect test against the acclaimed Prague team, which was considered the best in the world. There were posters everywhere saying that F.C. Barcelona would face a renowned team from Europe, a team capable of beating the English professionals. Around 11 a.m., the two teams lined up on the field with referee Paco Bru.

The terrain was hard, clayey, without grass. The ball was over-inflated, it jumped a lot.

The teams received wild applause and many believed that A.C. Sparta would win by at least 5 goals.


International match: 25/12/1925, Sunday, 11:00.
F.C. Barcelona — A.C. Sparta 2:3 (0:2)
Place: Estadio Catalán, Barcelona — Referee: Paco Bru (Madrid).
Linesmen: ?
Attendance: about 40.000.

F.C. Barcelona
Coach: Jack Greenwell.
XI: Zamora — Planas, Martínez-Surroca — Torralba, Sancho, Samitier — Vinals, Martínez, Gracia, Alcántara(c), Sagi-Barba.

A.C. Sparta
Coach: John Dick.
XI: Peyr — Hojer, Pospíšil — Kolenatý, Káďa(c), Perner — Sedláček, Janda, Meduna, Kocourek, Mazal.

Goals: Kocourek(2, 20min; ?) and Meduna — Planas[penalty] and Alcántara.


In the first few minutes, there was already a big difference between styles of play: A.C. Sparta with a characteristic more scientific style; F.C. Barcelona with a more frenetic, individual, vigorous style, in the typical Latin style of football.

Through two goals scored by Kocourek, the Prague team wins the first half. At that time, it was already expected that, in fact, A.C. Sparta would insert a very wide result against the Catalonia team.

However, the second half of the match proved to be quite different.

Through a penalty committed by Káďa, the full-back Planas converted the first goal for F.C. Barcelona. That goal catalyzed even more the local public and the players of the Blaugrana team. Soon after, the inside left Paulino Alcántara tied the match for the home team. There were complaints about the goal.

Right in the final moments of the match, Mazal, in another brilliant run down the left, centralized the ball to Karel Meduna who made Ricardo Zamora intervene in vain. 3:2 for A.C. Sparta.

The audience at the end of the game, in the opinion of the Czechs, was considered terrible, roaring, cursing, whistling, throwing stones, etc.

Wearing the Spartan shirt: the duo Hojer-Pospíšil was excellent, especially Antonín Hojer. The half-back line did not shine. In the forward line, Mazal was outstanding at the left side and Meduna conducted the attack in a great way. Kocourek was very effective.

Wearing the Blaugrana shirt: Alcántara was the highlight of the team.