A SHARP GAME
NÜRNBERG—SPARTA, 0:0 (0:0)

A draw played with great enthusiasm — Janda left the field in the beginning — Stuhlfauth's oustanding performance — The rematch: 06/11/1921 in Prague.

Starting the tour, A.C Sparta's first match was considered one of the most important — perhaps, the most important — between continental clubs for a long time. The champions of Deutsche Meisterschaft 1920/21, 1 F.C. Nürnberg, were considered one of the strongest teams in continental Europe. According to many Association experts, this was a match considered to be of very high caliber, thus being able to decide which was the strongest team on the continent — Europameisterschaft.

In their last encounter against a powerful continental team, 1 F.C. Nürnberg lost against S.K. Rapid, in Vienna, 1:0. This result excited the Prague public. A.C. Sparta would play with its full team.

The match was scheduled for 27/08/1921, Saturday, under the command of Kienmayer.


International match: 27/08/1921, Saturday, at 17:00.
1 F.C. Nürnberg — A.C. Sparta 0:0 (0:0)
Place: Nürnberg.
Referee: Kienmayer, Leipzig.
Linesmen: ?
Estimated attendance: 12.000.

1 F.C. Nürnberg: Stuhlfauth — Bark, Kugler — Köpplinger, Kalb(c), Riegl — Strobl, Popp, Böß, Träg, Sutor.
Coach: Izidor Kürschner.

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

Goals: —


The pitch did not suit the small dimensions and the bumpy terrain. It was a record attendance for Nürnberg. Both teams entered the field fully equipped to the enthusiasm of the public. In the first few minutes it was clear that it would be a very competitive match, even with sharper spears and tougher arrivals.

Already in the 4th minute, Antonín Janda, Spart's right inside forward, collided with Stuhlfauth and had to be replaced by Karel Meduna. This was a huge blow for the Prague team, as they lost one of their most effective forwards. After 30 minutes of two-sided and careful play, A.C. Sparta gained the upper hand and held the home team in their half for a quarter of an hour.


MATCH REPORT: Stuhlfauth parried a sharp shot from Josef Šroubek in a fabulous manner from just a few meters away.


After the break, Sparta got off to a strong start and took hold of the 1 F.C. Nürnberg goal. It seemed as if the decision should be made at this moment. However, all of their attacks were fought off with great cool-bloodedness and in a brilliant manner by Stuhlfauth.

During the second half, the match was characterized by tough play and offensive actions completely stopped by the German goalkeeper. Indeed, Stuhlfauth seemed an insurmountable barrier. 1 F.C. Nürnberg carried out some attacks, but nothing that required František Peyr's impressive defenses. In the last minutes, the match brought an extremely fast, sharp and varied game. Each team used all its energy to achieve victory, but both forwards were too indecisive.

The match ended with enthusiastic ovations for both teams. The rematch would take place in Prague on November 6. This match was marked by the efficiency of both teams' defensive systems, although both forward lines performed well. Despite the draw, both teams played an extremely fast and varied game, in which Sparta offered better tactical and technical performance. The South German team, however, was the most energetic and the toughest team.

1 F.C. NÜRNBERG.

Heinrich Stuhlfauth was in outstanding form, defending sharp shots from the Prague team. When a through-ball would be sent, he was ready to run-up and stop the attack. According to many people, the German goalkeeper was by far the best man in the field.

Kugler and Bark in defense were very good. Bark sometimes played too hard.

Of the German half-back line, Hans Kalb, although playing too hard, was the best. Riegl was also very good. He had some nice duels against Josef Sedláček.

Popp was not able to develop at all, which is attributed to the fact that he had only just recovered from his illness. Heinrich Träg was very good, but he hindered the combination because he was mostly in the half-backs's line. Böß, the centre-forward, was not up to the task.

A.C. SPARTA.

Just like the home team, Sparta had its best performance focused on the defensive system, especially the half-back line. The Prague team played more technical, tactical, but also were tough against their opponents, but not as tough as the home team's game. Sparta impressed the attendance.


KICKER: It used to be Slavia, the team that, alongside the DFC Prag, showed outstanding football skills and hit the German league teams hard. Today, Sparta is the team that sets football minds in excitement wherever it goes, demonstrates high skills, inspires the masses and carries them along.


Peyr was not forced that much to do impressive saves.

The Prague backs put in a much better performance than the opponent's full-back line, especially in terms of ball technique and fair play. Antonín Hojer was considered better than Mira Pospíšil.

Once again, Sparta's main strength laid in the half-back line, in which Antonín Perner was considered the best man. Káďa was out of form, but he still towered over his opponent Kalb in tactical and technical terms. František Kolenatý did not play reflectively to his usual standard.

The forward line, significantly weakened by Janda's injury, worked well, but the players were hesitant to score for a long time, which resulted in many chances to score. The substitute Meduna delivered average work, whereas Václav Pilát and Šroubek offered good performances. Pilát showed some great technical knowledge, but he hesitated too much to pass the ball. Otakar Mazal was restrained by the hard play of the Germans. Sedláček was was significantly better than the left winger.

The Prague attack produced some nice combinations, but there was a problem with shooting; when it came to combinations and general technique, Sparta were significantly better than their opponents.