THE CZECH SUPERIORITY
SPARTA—NÜRNBERG, 5:2 (4:1)

Meduna(2), Sedláček, Červený, Hojer - Träg(2) — Sparta regarded as the best side in the continent— Václav Pilát's 400th match for the Reds — Disappointing performance from the Germans — Antonín Hojer scores an oustanding free-kick.

For the second match between the Czech and German sides, what a wonder that the interest in this match exceeded all the matches played in Prague so far in 1921, and the fact that the entire European sports public was anxiously awaiting the decision of this titanic battle, testifies to the fact the greatness of the event. This match, morever, would have some absences, especially for the home side. For the German side, Gustav Bark was not in form due to injury, therefore he would not play the match. Sparta seemed worse off. Otakar Mazal would not be able to perform due to an injury from October 28. There were other players who were not treated yet — Sedláček, Perner and Pilát. However, it was mentioned that they would start the match. It was also unsure whether Šroubek would play as left winger.

It was commented that Václav Pilát, the excepcional centre-forward, would be part of the meeting. According to the officials of the club, this match was regarded as Pilát's  400th match for A.C. Sparta. 

Bohumil Zeníšek, from Pilsen, was appointed to take charge of the match. Even with the absences, the match promised to be a true spectacle, thus attracting the attention of the continent.


International match: 06/11/1921, Sunday, at 14:30.
A.C. Sparta — 1 F.C. Nürnberg 5:2 (4:1)
Place: Letná, Prague.
Referee: Bohumil Zeníšek, Pilsen.
Linesmen: ?
Estimated attendance: 18.000.

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

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

Goals: Meduna(2: 6min, 23min), Sedláček(10min), Červený(38min), Hojer(47min[free-kick]) — Träg(2: 40min, 57min).


Throughout continental Europe, discussions were held, in the most diverse countries, regarding which club team was the best continental side. This was the delight of people who possessed the knowledge to carry out such a judgment. On that occasion, teams like S.K. Rapid, S.K. Slavia and MTK were mentioned, alongside A.C. Sparta and 1 F.C. Nürnberg, as the main teams. However, due to the context and a certain trend, The German side were identified as a team that could be superior to Sparta, although many disagreed.

The rematch of the match on 27/08/1921, Sunday, was considered the match to decide the best continental team. With an estimated 18,000 people present, including senior continental figures, the match began on slippery terrain, under the command of A.C. Sparta.

THE OVERWHELMING GAME OF SPARTA.

In the 6th minute, Josef Sedláček passed the ball in an exemplary fashion directly to Meduna. The inside forward prepared the ball for his left foot, but when an opponent runs into his shot, he calmly zig-zags, returns the ball to his right foot, and after a beautiful shot marks Sparta's first goal.

In the 10th minute, after a ball directly sent to the German's gate, Stuhlfauth managed to punch the ball at the last moment, but not far, only to Sedláček. He cleverly caught the moment to score the second goal.

Around the 20th minute, Pilát was injured and had to leave the field. Jaroslav Červený took his place, but was positioned as left winger. Losing Pilát would be a huge blow for the home side.

Červený                  Meduna                  Sedláček
Šroubek               A. Janda
Sparta's forward line.

A beautiful attack in the 24th minute ends with a great shot from Meduna. 3:0 for Sparta.

In the 38th minute, Stuhlfauth left the goal, which was enough of an opportunity for Červený to send a shot. While Stuhlfauth was retreating to the gate, Červený sent a shot over the goalkeeper. 4:0.


MATCH REPORT: This time, the main part of the German champions' weak performance was due to their fine defense, especially the carelessness of their goalkeeper. The remaining parts of the team were visibly depressed by this.


In the first half you couldn't see the any class from from 1 F.C. Nürnberg, they were constantly outplayed by Sparta and couldn't do anything to revert the damage.

A few minutes before half-time, Peyr was not expecting Heinrich Träg's sharp shot: 4:1.

The second half started with great pace. Two minutes after the break, a free-kick was given to A.C. Sparta. Antonín Hojer shot from over 20 meters and scored an absurd goal. 5:1.

From a harmless situation, the German side broke out due to a misunderstanding of Sparta's defensive system for the second goal. Hojer tried an action but failed. Träg scored from distance: 5:2.

The second half reflected a match more equal than in the first half. Sedláček's injury, which condemned him to the role of an extra, did not contribute to an increase in the performance of Sparta's forward line, therefore in the second half the main role fell to the home team's half-back line and defense, as the German side team improved remarkably after the break and caused many difficult problems for the home team with their ground-based quick combination moment.


A.C. SPARTA.

The red team from Prague overcame their handicap, playing without Mazal and with Pilát, Sedláček and Perner, who had not yet recovered. As mentioned above, Pilát had to leave the field after 20 minutes of play. Although Meduna played well, the presence of Pilát would reflect a much greater victory. Sparta was the technically better team, they fought with more determination and will to win, they were also far more accurate in passing the ball, still playing a ground game. There were some interesting features regarding their play, as, once again, the poor shooting as also reflected. Sparta scored many goals due to the chances, but they did not convert properly. The Prague side didn't make as many goals as they could make. The forward line, from time to time, especially in the second half, was constantly being changed.

In the full-back line had Hojer playing brilliantly. He kept the German attack in check, and Pospíšil complemented him nicely. However, he tried some "success", but ended up giving the ball to Hojer scored and outstanding free-kick goal.

The half-back line was, once again, Sparta's best line, in which František Kolenatý gave a great performance, Káďa performed well against Kalb, he sometimes had a difficult position, but maneged to handle the task nicely. His distribution was on point. Antonín Perner was not in his usual condition.

Regarding the forward line, the machine-like performance of the red team from Prague was excepcional with Pilát comanding the actions.

As it would be notorious, after the replacement Sparta's forward line acted in a different way. It seemed that something was missing or lost regarding — the scheming of master Pilát.

Meduna performed quite well. Sedlacek led the attack well while on the wing; there is no place for it on the clutch. Šroubek was not in his usual form technically, precisely regarding his shots. Červený did not reach the height of his comrades, but he scored a beautiful goal with his alertness. Janda disturbed the Nuremberg defense well.


1 F.C. NÜRNBERG.

The performance demonstrated by the German team was significantly below expectations, as they had almost the same team as in the first match played in Nuremberg. There was absolutely no sign of their much-praised style. However, the team maintained the sharp game.

Heinrich Stuhlfault was widely regarded as the best player in the meeting in Nuremberg, but his performance in Prague was a real disaster. Stuhlfauth didn't play the game of a first-class goalkeeper. Although he made some good saves, some of his advances were very costly for his team.

The German half-back line had Hans Kalb as it main footballer. The giant Kalb, while constantly advancing, had a beautiful fight with Káďa and he was the only one who supported the attack well.