This was not an ordinary friendly, this was a monster friendly. The management of Bohemians had organized for the club’s fans a trip to Salzburg, arguably one of the most beautiful European cities. Thanks to a subsidy from Hager Corp. fans were able to purchase a return bus trip for a measly 200 Czech crowns (about 7 Euros). Twelve buses altogether left for Wolfgang Amadeus’ birthplace early Sunday morning from Ďolíček. Many other fans travelled by train and by cars. All in all, over 1200 Bohemka fans invaded Salzburg. The weather was picture perfect, sunny, not too cold, not too warm.
Organizers of Red Bull Salzburg certainly underestimated the number of fans coming to cheer for Bohemka. Only two gates were open and with strict safety checks before entering the stadium, many fans missed the first goal of the game. They would have probably missed it anyway even if they had been inside the stadium since the Austrian organizers assigned the visiting fans a sector that was right against the bright sun.
All these minor flaws were forgotten the minute Bohemka took to the field. This was a game of David against Goliath. “Austrian Chelsea”, as Red Bull Salzburg is often called has an annual budget that would last Bohemka at current rates for 60 years. Despite these inequalities, Bohemka fans cheered their team like mad and it worked - Bálek penetrated the box from the right side and his well placed low shot brought Bohemka an early lead. The home team that boasts players from 13 different countries, many of them members of their respective national teams, responded quickly. 193 cm Austrian national Janko tied the score and then sent Red Bull ahead just before the half time.
Bohemka tied the score in the second half when Kotyza facing Salzburg goalkeeper scored calmly after a pretty pass from Matůš. Bohemka played as best as it could, however, Salzburg was a better team. After Aufhauser scored the third goal for Salzburg, Bohemians players did not have enough gas in the tank to answer the call. Janko finished off Bohemka scoring his third goal of the game with five minutes left.
However, Bohemka and its fans left a lasting impression in Salzburg. Even Lothar Matthäus, the assistant coach of the home team, had nothing but praise for the little club from Vršovice and its loyal fans.
Many Bohemka fans have already started dreaming about accompanying their beloved club to European cup matches. Wouldn’t that be nice...
Date and Time: February 18, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Stadium: EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim (Bullen-Arena), Salzburg (artificial turf)
Attendance: 1700
Goals: 21., 44., 85. Janko, 71. Aufhauser - 8. Bálek, 57. Kotyza
Red Bull Salzburg: Özcan - Winklhofer, Meyer (46. Dudič), Miyamoto, Steinhöfer - Tiffert, Ilsanker (59. Obermair), Aufhauser, Vonlanthen - Janočko (69. Piták) - Janko
Bohemians 1905: Sňozík - Marek, Lukáš, Škoda, Rychlík - Hašek, Vágner (45. Slezák), Adam, Kotyza (83.Moravec) - Bálek, Matůš
