FK Viktoria Žižkov

FK Viktoria Žižkov ranks among the oldest football clubs in the Czech Republic. It plays in the Gambrinus liga, the top level of football in the country.

The team was founded by a group of students in 1903 in the town of Žižkov (since 1922 part of Prague). Viktoria's main successes fall into the period between the world wars — until 1948 it was the third most successful Czechoslovak club, winning the Czechoslovak championship in 1928 and finishing as runners-up in 1929. After the second world war and the beginning of communism in 1948 it descended to the lower leagues where it remained until 1993 when it was promoted again to the highest league as a result of the Slovak clubs walking away to form their own league. Viktoria was very successful between 1993 and 2003, competing in four European cups and finishing 3rd in the league on two occasions (2002, 2003). In total Žižkov has won the national knock out cup on 9 occasions (1913, 1914, 1916, 1921, 1929, 1933, 1940, 1994 and 2001) and finished as runners-up in 1919, 1920 and 1995.

In 2002 Viktoria Žižkov knocked Scottish team Rangers out of the UEFA Cup, going through on the away goals rule after extra time at Ibrox.

In 2004, after a string of poor results and a corruption scandal, the team was relegated again to the second league. In 2007 the team successfully made it back to the Gambrinus liga, finishing the season as runaway champions of the 2nd league. After finishing mid-table in their first season back in the top flight, in 2009 they were relegated back to the second league after struggling all season, bouncing back to the top flight by again gaining promotion from the 2nd league, this time as Runners-up, two seasons later (2011).

2010/2011 season

Žižkov gained promotion from the 2nd league by finishing as runners-up to FK Dukla Prague. The main strength of their promotion push turned out to be away performances, which were by far the best in the league. Some poor early season home performances threatened to unship the promotion push but these picked up in the latter part of the season, a 1-0 win over MFK Karviná, with a late goal by team captain Tomáš Procházka being hailed as a critical victory. Star player of the season was undoubtedly goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík and success in the seasons to follow will depend heavily on his staying with the club. Also of note however were the performances of Miroslav Marković who finished as the club's top scorer for the season and second in the league overall.

2008/2009 season

Petr Švancara won Czech Television's goal of 2008 (gol roku), with his stunning individual effort to open the scoring in Žižkov's 4-2 home victory against Bohemians Praha (Střížkov). This proved to be one of the few highlights in a disappointing season that saw Žižkov finish bottom of the league and hence relegated to the 2nd league once more. During the season three different managers were employed, which certainly did not help continuity. However the departure of good quality younger players, such as Ondřej Kušnír to Sparta Prague, at the start of the season, to be replaced by older, journeyman, players was a major factor.

2007/2008 season

Žižkov's first season back in the Gambrinus liga proved to be one of successful consolidation, the team finishing in a creditable 10th place, whilst also reaching the quarter final stage of the knock out cup. One of the highlights of the season was a 3-0 away win at Slavia, inflicting their only home defeat on the eventual champions. A 1-1 pre-Christmas home draw with Slavia was perhaps just as important however, the point being gained with a last minute Richard Kalod goal.

Žižkov's home form was the mainstay of their season, indeed they won 5 of their 7 post-Christmas matches. The final game of the season saw them gain a 1-0 victory over Mladá Boleslav, with another Kalod goal, thereby gaining their only double of the season, having also gained a 1-0 win against Boleslav on the opening day of the season. Top scorer for the season was Petr Švancara, who scored 6 goals.

Ground

Viktoria's ground, FK Viktoria Stadion (Žižkov Stadion), is situated in Seifertova třída, just a short walk (one tram stop) from Prague's Central Station. It is a small but attractive ground in a traditional setting. In 2007 the club opened a Fanshop at the ground for the sale of club momentos.

Historical names

1903 - Sportovní kroužek Viktoria Žižkov

1904 - SK Viktoria Žižkov

1950 - Sokol Viktoria Žižkov

1951 - Sokol ČSAD Žižkov

1952 - Club was merged with Avia Čakovice

1952 - TJ Slavoj Žižkov

1965 - TJ Viktoria Žižkov

1973 - TJ Viktoria Žižkov Strojimport

1982 - TJ Viktoria Žižkov PSO

1992 - FK Viktoria Žižkov

UEFA Cup performances

In 1928 Žižkov took part in the Mitropa Cup, reaching the semi-final stage, where they lost in a play off to SK Rapid Wien after the initial two-legs between the teams produced a tie. At the quarter final stage Žižkov knocked out Građanski Zagreb (later to become Dinamo Zagreb) over two legs, winning the home tie 6-1.

Former notable players

Michal Bílek Petr Gabriel Ondřej Kušnír Karel Poborský Daniel Zítka

Current squad

''As of 23 February 2011.

Popular culture

The very popular Czech 1931 comedy film Muži v offsidu is centred largely on the culture and fans of Viktoria Žižkov and features unique footage of several matches from that time. The book, on which the story is based, was written by Karel Poláček.

The Czech film actor Vlasta Burian played as the regular goalkeeper for Žižkov around 1916 before setting out on his acting career. A plaque in FK Viktoria Stadion now commemorates his appearances for the club.

Honours

Czech Republic Football Cup

* Champions 1993–94, 2000–01

Czech 2. Liga (second tier)

* Champions 2006–07

External links

Official website

References

Viktoria Zizkov Category:Association football clubs established in 1903 Viktoria Zizkov