Prague's Hidden Gem: Viktoria Žižkov

This bin certainly knew the score come midday...

Back in September of 2023, I had the pleasure of catching a 6am train to Prague for Zbrojovka's away match at Viktoria Žižkov. While the day was excellent with new and old friends alike, the result for Zbrojovka was a poor 4-2 defeat to a Žižkov side who hadn't got going before this encounter. That said, at least it was an entertaining defeat.

Fast forward almost exactly a year, and it's another 4-2 defeat at the hands of Žižkov. I didn't attend this time, but it was nice of them to repeat the game for those that didn't manage the 2023 encounter. This season, Viktoria Žižkov v Zbrojovka Brno happens once again, almost another year to the day. Surely third time's the charm, right?

For whatever reason, after my first and only visit so far, I didn't write a blog on Žižkov, though that works to my advantage this weekend. The plan for me is to head up at some point on Saturday and stay with some good friends before heading to the game early on Sunday morning. Then I'd head home around the afternoon having enjoyed a good weekend in Prague with three points in the bag for Zbrojovka. Nothing can possibly go wrong.

The film in question was Caught Stealing by the way, which was brilliant, if a little insane and unhinged. Then again, that's a description I can only hope for in my wildest dreams.

Bucking the trend...and winning in Prague!

It's fair to say Zbrojovka haven't always had the best time in Prague. To my recollection the only results in Prague since I got to Brno happened in games away at B-Teams. Even having said that, I can only recall one win away at Slavia Prague's B-Team. Sure, there have been points here and there - a 1-1 at Bohemians back in 2023 which I attended for one, as well as a valiant 3-3 at Dukla in 2024 which I wish I'd attended. But on the whole, it's been a nightmare city for Zbrojovka.

That said, I left my friend's apartment in the morning with a sense of optimism, despite being the only one from the so-called Gentleman Ultras in attendance, along with 800-odd away fans. For a Sunday morning three hours away, that's incredible, even if it is Prague and many probably have friends to stay with in the city.

The rain was very much apparent as well, which of course meant the open away end would be a lot of fun. Thankfully it only rained in fits and starts, and I was able to keep fairly dry throughout. Despite last seeing Zbrojovka lose at home to Prostějov in an absolute slog, I felt like today was the day to end my Prague hoodoo and witness a win.

Further research indicates the last win at a non-B-team was at Žižkov in April 2022 - a 3-0 victory some five months before I landed in Brno. So in that sense, you could argue nothing has really changed in that this is still the case, only the last win is now as recent as *checks calendar* today!

Given that last time I was in Žižkov, the hosts were 3-0 up before the clock had even struck 11, the tables were very much turned on this occasion. Jakub Selnar and Oliver Velich were both an absolute nuisance throughout, and both were rewarded with brilliant goals 12 and 19 minutes in respectively. It wasn't long before Tadeáš Vachoušek made it three close to half-time.

Wonderfully named Burundian substitute Bienvenue Kanakimana made it four on 79 minutes, earning himself the nickname Special K in the process. Granted, this nickname will probably only be used by me. Though Marek Richter added a consolation on 85, that was that, and that was a win in Prague for Zbrojovka.

If I had to pick a standout performer, it would have to be Kaka (not that one), who is steadily growing into quite a formidable part of the defensive jigsaw. Jiri Texl also looked solid, with the aforementioned Selnar and Velich also forming some brilliant chemistry together. 

After the last few years of general disappointment, it's nice to be watching a team whose players I want to remember the names and faces of, as opposed to the deluge of duds that littered Srbska and beyond. For now, hopefully it'll be the first of many successful away days I'm able to embark on with Zbrojovka this season, even though I am genuinely fuming that they've moved Usti nad Labem in a few weeks to a Friday night...

Frustratingly as a result, the next away day with Zbrojovka is likely to be Tabor in March - perhaps we'll already have won the league by then anyway...

                

Five things you didn't know about Žižkov

1. The neighbourhood of Žižkov sits very close to the main railway station of Prague, and was named as such in 1877 from Královské Vinohrady. It was even granted its own city status in 1881, only to be incorporated into Greater Prague in 1922. 

2. The district experienced remarkable population growth from 4,336 in 1869 to 41,236 in 1890. Today, it has 58,257 according to the 2021 census. 

3. One of Žižkov's most iconic sights is the TV tower, which is visible from all around, particularly the away end of the stadium. It's either an eyesore or it's incredible, depending on who you ask.

4. Despite languishing in the second tier these days, Viktoria have a remarkable history having formed in 1903, and having won the Central Bohemian First League in 1927. The club spent much of their history in the second tier, before the foundation of the Czech League in 1993 after the Velvet Revolution. From then on, Žižkov were a top flight mainstay, even finishing third two seasons in a row (2001-03). They were relegated the following season, so beginning a yo-yoing between first, second, and even third tiers to where they are today.

5. Perhaps one of their most famous results happened in 2002, as they beat Rangers over two legs in UEFA Cup qualification. A 2-0 win in Prague, followed by a 3-1 loss in Glasgow meant they'd scraped through on the away goals rule. A 4-0 loss to Betis in the next round was perhaps a return to earth, however, and they've yet to go any further in the modern European era.