A Nice Day to Start (Again): Start Brno 2-0 Strani

A generous work schedule allowed me a rare midweek Czech game, from which there were two choices, both of which were in the MSFL (the regional third tier). I could either watch Zbrojovka's B team at Srbska as they played host to Blansko, or I could head to Start Brno for a third time, as they played host to divisional new boys Strani.

I opted for the latter for convenience reasons, as well as the chance to see a team I've only seen a few times rather than the same old Zbrojovka. I took the 9 tram from Namesti Svobody to the end of the line at Lesna - a peaceful and quaint part of the city that feels more than the mere 15 or 20 minutes away from my apartment nearer the centre.

Once you get to the stop at Certovka Rokle (the Devil's ravine), usually you can just follow the exceptionally loud music that Start Brno play before the game. Good luck if you ever want to get a conversation going by the speakers is all I'll say.

Of the two previous visits, my first was two years ago on first arriving to Brno, as the hosts - a fourth tier side at the time - saw off Sokol Lanzhot 3-1 in an entertaining affair. I went a second time at the tail end of their first season in the third tier back in May of this year, witnessing a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to relegated Frydlant nad Ostravici.

On this occasion, Start would host Strani, who I'd seen at Zbrojovka B the other week - a handsome 4-1 away win despite the hosts seemingly being in control of much of the game. Start Brno would provide a much sterner test, however, with plenty of experience throughout the side.

The ground, the game, and any other business

The rise of Start Brno has been quite sensational when you take a look at their Wikipedia page. The club were in the tenth tier of Czech football as recently as 2008. Given that this is the lowest tier of Czech football, they really did start from the bottom.

Two seasons later, they were up again before, only gaining another promotion as recently as 2016. This was the first part of a staggering four successive promotions - suddenly the club found itself in the fourth tier a decade on from being in the ninth tier.

As mentioned, they went up to the third tier in 2023, finishing 11th in their first season in the MSFL. To tell the truth, the parallels with Stevenage Borough back in their Conference days is telling me I should follow this club over Zbrojovka - they play in red and white, they've won successive promotions, and their initials are SB. 

In any case, the game took a while to get going. Just as I thought it would be a bore draw, Start Brno opened the scoring with an excellent set-piece routine that I missed the culmination of. Then, just before the break, Start doubled their lead with a well-worked counter-attacking goal. The second half was a case of Strani huffing and puffing with no response to their hosts.

It was a much needed win for Start Brno, and a crash back down to earth for Strani, who had been building some momentum following a slow start to life in the third tier. My next game will also involve Start Brno, as this time, they travel to Slovan Rosice, who recently came from 3-0 down at home to Kromeriz to earn an incredible point. Rosic-stanbul? Anyone?

Five things you didn't know about...Start Brno

1. The club very nearly ceased to exist back in 2008, primarily due to an almost unplayable pitch which was, by all acounts, basically sand. The club managed to get themselves together and then some with an extraordinary rise from the tenth to the third tier in just under a couple of decades.

2. Lesna, which translates to forest in English, is known as one of Brno's largest urban planning success stories, striking the requisite balance between greenery and functionality. It served as one of Czechoslovakia's pioneering housing projects after the Second World War.

3. Start Brno are only one of only three clubs in the top three tiers of Czech football with an English word in their name. What are the other two? I'll put them at the bottom in tiny font, and in white. Highlght to reveal all...

4. Start Brno are yet to set the world alight in the cup competitions despite their progress over the last decade or so. Their best effort was a Second Round exit at home to Zlin in 2022, as they succumbed to a 3-0 loss.

5.Start Brno are also one of the few teams to wear an international style kit with a number sitting front and centre. I've certainly never seen a club side wear a kit like this before - if you have I'd love to hear from you!

Bohemians and Arsenal Ceska Lipa