16 Czechoslovakians #10: Dynamo České Budějovice

With the huge inconvenience of a winter World Cup that nobody wanted coming up, České Budějovice offered the last doable opportunity of an away day with the mighty Zbrojovka before that frustrating three month recess. Given the lengthy nature of the trip, it would have to be a weekender, but the chance to explore a new city is never one to be sniffed at.

 

As for Zbrojovka, they’ve picked up their form again in the last two, away to Pardubice (1-3) then at home to Slovan Liberec (3-0) respectively. Meanwhile, Černý have hit a real rough patch, losing 3-0 at home to Hradec Králové, then losing by that same scoreline at Jablonec.

 

They currently sit 14^th, and surely offer the perfect opportunity for Zbrojovka to continue their relatively impressive start to the season. Could another 3-0 success (or failure from České’s perspective) be on the cards? That said, the hosts also have a new manager at the helm, which could provide something of a bounce in their favour.

 

The Journey to České Budějovice

The day started bright and early for the so-called ‘Gentleman Ultras’ – five of us in total. A four hour journey seemed to fly by fairly quickly, as did the weekend as a whole due in part to a lot of Budvar - the city's beer. It was a slippery slope from the first unfiltered pilsner, which went down incredibly well.

 

The hotel was fairly close to the main square, which seemed to be readying itself for the upcoming Christmas markets. It’s a lovely city, and the stadium is certainly in a league of its own with some beautiful towers just outside making the place incredibly unique.

 

This is all without even mentioning the excitement of being next to a pencil manufacturer. Pencils and beer – the only two things anyone could possibly need. A city well worth visiting, but surprisingly quiet for a Saturday. Nevertheless, it's well worth passing through if taking a trip through the country.

 

After the game

The evening is very much a blur, and my next memory is of the hangover just this morning which still lingers on now. The game was, however, a cracking affair, with the hosts winning 3-2. They went a goal up with the final kick of the first half, with Zbrojovka equalising just after the break.

 

České hit a 2^nd fairly soon after, before VAR caused some controversy – ruling out a Zbrojovka equaliser and awarding České a penalty to make it 3-1. Zbrojovka got another goal back to make it 3-2, but they would leave South Bohemia empty handed.

Who are ya?

Based in the South Bohemian city of České Budějovice – home of the original and best Budweiser by far – Dynamo have had a turbulent relationship with the First League. Černý formed at the start of the 20^th Century some 117 years ago in 1905, as two sides within the city became one.

 

The club have spent the vast majority of its existence in the lower leagues, first playing in the First League in 1947 for a single season. They would take part in various competitions beneath the top tier, before returning for another two seasons in 1987. They were then back from 1991 until 1998, during which time came the separation of Czech Republic and Slovakia.

 

As for their performance during the nineties, they rarely upset any apple carts following that CNFL win in 1991, finishing only as high as 6^th during this seven season stint. Following this relegation in 1998, however, the club bounced back at the first time of asking. At the turn of the millennium, they were down again, but once more they bounced back a season hence.

 

This time it would be another two seasons before their relegation, so arguably things were improving. Again, they bounced back at the first time of asking in 2006. This time, it took seven seasons to go down again, though they never finished above 10^th during this spell. Of course, they bounced back once again in 2014, only to fall through the trap door again in 2015! This weekend really is the yo-yo derby.

 

That relegation seemed somewhat more ultimate given that it took four seasons to bounce back this time in 2019. Since then, the club have staved off any threat of relegation, finishing more or less mid-table each time. The big question will concern whether or not new management will make any difference to a faltering season thus far.