Already the third Kangaroo Christmas took place in Ďolíček on Saturday, December 15, 2007. Judging by the ever increasing attendance at this event (over three thousand people of all ages showed up!), Kangaroo Christmas is here to stay.
This year’s event was dedicated to those young ones, but even those young in heart participated happily. As usual, many crafts, souvenirs, and presents were available in all kinds of colours as long as they were green-and-white. The club opened up the clubhouse that is under normal circumstances off limits to visitors. Many kids and adults took advantage of this unique opportunity to see dressing rooms or to chat with trainers. Even the club’s president, Antonín Panenka, was on hand to greet all the visitors. One of the most popular attractions happened to be the club director’s chair - many visitors wanted to have their pictures taken sitting in this particular chair.
The best Bohemians player for the year 2007, as voted by fans, was announced during this event. To no one’s surprise, ever reliable veteran Karel Rada received the most votes. Surprisingly second ended up a newcomer Petr Kunášek. The third place belonged to the last year winner Radek Sňozík and the fourth place to the first year winner Dalibor Slezák.
This year’s Kangaroo Christmas coincided with the 60th birthday of one of the most popular and influential players that ever donned Bohemians jersey, Karol Dobiáš. Karolko was voted the footballer of the year in 1970 and 1971. He was capped 67 times and scored 6 times for the Czechoslovak nation team. Although a defender by position, his offensive, explosive style of playing influenced many players of younger generations. Karolko spent most of his career in Trnava before coming to Bohemians, but by his own admission, he is now a full blooded Kangaroo. He could not resist putting his ball juggling skills on display even during the ceremony honouring his birthday. He juggled the ball standing up, sitting down and if they did not take the ball away from him, he would be still juggling it.
The pleasant evening was completed by fireworks and a popular Prague rock group concert. It was a resounding success and all participants are already looking forward to next year’s event.
