SPANIARDS IN PRAGUE!
SLAVIA-R.S.S.S., 4:2 (2:1)
Štapl scores four times; Campos and Gálatas for the guests — First match of a Spanish side on Czech territory — Real Sociedad causes good impression.

Real Sociedad San Sebastian arrived in Czechoslovakia to play their first match on the tour of Central Europe. Never before had a Spanish team visited Prague to play any match. Due to the battles fought on Spanish soil, a certain legend of the invincibility of Spanish teams was created in Prague. This, however, later faded away, but the already established reputation of the Spanish teams was enough to generate an immense atmosphere of expectations for the local public.

The excellent Spanish team would face S.K. Slavia, which led the Středočeská župa 1924, in addition to having an exemplary reputation, due to its high game culture, class, technique and history throughout the continent. Right after the first match, Real Sociedad had another match — this one against DFC Prag.

The first match was scheduled for 30/08/1924 under the command of referee František Cejnar.


Friendly match: 30/08/1924, Sunday, at 17:30.
S.K. Slavia — Real Sociedad 4:2 (2:1)
Place: Stadion Letná, Prague.
Referee: František Cejnar (Prague).
Linesmen: ?
Estimated attendance: 15.000.

S.K. Slavia: Štaplík(c) — Vermach, Seifert — Plodr(Uebellacker), Pleticha, Hliňák — Kužel, Štapl, Vaník, Silný, Kratochvíl.
Coach: John William Madden.

Real Sociedad: Barroso — Beguiristain, Arrate — Matías, Olaizola(c), Portu — Juantengui, Rosales, Campos, Gálatas, Yurrita.
Coach: Lippo Hertzka.

Goals: Stapl(4: 17min, 22min, 64min, 66min) — Campos(41min) and Gálatas(63min).


After dominating the opening minutes, thus demonstrating their technical and tactical superiority, S.K. Slavia scored two goals, through Josef Sloup-Štapl, the right inside forward. Subsequently, they began to falter and suddenly, perhaps without even noticing, dropped a sleepy pace. Consequently, the Spanish took action and began to increase their series of attacks on the locals' defensive system. Just before the final minutes, the visiting team scored their only goal in the first half.

For the second half, Uebellacker replaced Plodr as right half-back.

After the exchange of halves, S.K. Slavia returned to its offensive actions, thus constantly being in Real Sociedad's half. However, a situation that seemed harmless resulted in the equalizer for the visitors.


MATCH REPORT (CZECHOSLOVAKIA): The 2:2 draw was greeted with such applause that the visitors must have felt they were in San Sebastian.


The excitement was enormous, the local public applauded the draw fervently. The visiting team was confident, but these moments did not last long. S.K Slavia, once again, resumed their actions and scored two goals in less than five minutes apart. After the goals added to the scoreboard, S.K. Slavia was more attentive to the opponent's actions, therefore not letting the San Sebastián side counterattack.


MATCH REPORT (CZECHOSLOVAKIA): Slavia surrounded the opponent in his half, pressed them and diligently shelled the goal.


Despite constantly attacking, Real Sociedad still found some offensive actions, which usually reached Štaplík's goal, but were stopped by Prague's exceptional goalkeeper.


S.K. SLAVIA.

The home team played very well, especially tactically, in addition to being notoriously superior in terms of technique. Remaining in command of the actions, S.K. Slavia couldn't seem to get enough of the ball. However, the team did not play with enthusiasm, thus having this reflection on the forward line, which seemed to play in a more apathetic manner than usual.


MATCH REPORT (CZECHOSLOVAKIA): The attack was flawed by not going for the balls, only taking the ones that got directly to the foot. This also often created a large gap between them and the half-back line.


Stáplík brought the audience to applause several times.

The local team's defensive system did little work in relation to the attack, as the main actions of the match were led by S.K. Slavia. In the full-back line, Emil Seifert stood out.

On the half-back line, Josef Pleticha stood out. The centre-half was excellent.

There was a disconnection between the half-back line and the forward line on certain occasions. Slavia's forwards barely chased the ball, but aimed to receive it directly in the boot. Rudolf Štapl's combativeness was a counterpoint to the previously mentioned characteristic. The well-positioned Štapl stood out this time with his rapid shots. He ended up scoring all goals for his side.


REAL SOCIEDAD.

The visitors achieved a truly honorable result, as the superior quality of the Prague red team was completely visible. However, what was best appreciated about Real Sociedad was their fair, clean and polite style of play — an impression completely opposite to what Czechoslovakia had in relation to the Spanish teams.

Little was known in Prague about Real Sociedad's style of play, only the most aficionados who learned about the team's results on their own soil.

Real Sociedad had a playing style that had the main point in speed — which was much higher than that of S.K. Slavia. The Spanish, in addition, had high stamina, determination, vigor, and good technique, but demonstrated simplicity in their style of play.


MATCH REPORT (CZECHOSLOVAKIA): They play a simple and transparent game that uses speed, which they have far more than ours. But whoever would think that this is a consequence of weaker ball technique would be wrong.