Jablonec 0-0 Pyunik, Thursday 1st August 2019

Jablonec 0-0 Pyunik, Europa League 2nd qualifying round, 2nd leg, att. 3,675 (Stadion Strelnice)

Welcome to ...

After a few days in Germany, it's nice to make it to the Czech Republic.  For a start, it's a lot cheaper and, if anything, the beer is even nicer.  So, planning a game a day for 3 weeks, Jablonec was a logical choice having stayed the previous night in Dresden, East Germany.  Still, it was three and half hours on the train, nevermind an hour's walk at the other end (not helped by me getting off a stop early, idiot).

The main entry.

Jablonec Nad Nisou was a pleasant enough place, but there's a reason it's not mentioned in the Lonely Planet.  A bit small, and lacking in drinking holes...but you only need one outdoor bar selling Pilsner Urquell, don't you?  It was here 4 young English groundhoppers took a beer behind me.  I'll say this for them - they knew their stuff, even talking about the tactics of some obscure continental team who we weren't seeing tonite.

The teams line up.

The stadium was a 20 minute hike up a hill, but at least I found the 'main' railway station in the meantime.  That would be handy for leaving tomorrow.  I caught a glimpse of floodlights and (correctly) gauged the steps up a hill to be a shortcut.  I was still early enough for it to be deserted.  There was no queue at the box office either, ideally situated right in front of me at the top of said steps.  I looked at the prices, did the Maths - and went for the most expensive tickets in the house: 140 CZK (£4.50).

Keep going...

If I said Jablonec was a small town in the shadow of Liberec (where?), that should give you some idea of how well they'd done to even qualify for Europe, coming 4th in the Czech Liga last season.  Thus, the club shop was full of Europa League regalia.  It'll be half price next week...

They were playing Pyunik this evening.  No, me neither.  But apparently they're doing very well in Armenia.  Although the other end of Europe (Asia?) they'd still brought some fans, maybe 100.  Money well spent by full-time, as a fighting 0-0 draw (not literally, though 5 yellows were dished out on top of two being sent off) brought a 2-1 aggregate win.

The away end.

In the first half, Jablonec controlled the ball and were camped in the opponents' half.  Despite not creating an outstanding opportunity, there were half chances.  However, none of their players had the power, or accuracy, to trouble the keeper from the edge of the box.  This persisted all game, as whatever the 'shots' account says, it's a false impression.  The closest they came to scoring was a last (97th!) minute snapshot which whistled wide during a scramble.

A grateful keeper holds on to the ball.

Otherwise, the only thing of note were the late sendings off.  The ref had marked his card early, dishing out needless yellows.  So it was no surprise to see two of these turn to red late on.  The first was a Pyunik player, and, being on the far side of the pitch, he had to face the further ignominy of having to walk all the way around the field of play.  (On an associated note, surely this new directive is an accident waiting to happen.  Imagine, an away player running the gauntlet of two vehement home stands after laying out a fans' favourite?)  The Jablonec player who received his second yellow a minute later was comfortably down the tunnel before his compadre.

A strange structure behind the goal.

As I said, the stadium itself sits atop a hill.  This seems a regular occurrence on the continent, and my 3rd already this hol after KAS Eupen and Kaiserslautern.  The modern day castle!  This can be handy for spotting the floodlights but it does mean having to take on difficult terrain.  The stadium has three small stands, all one tier, with the running tack still existing behind one goal.  While the three stands now cover what was the running track, perhaps a 4th side will follow.  The runners don't lose out though as a new track exists behind the main 'A' Tribune.

The old atheletics' track.

Accomodation-wise, there's not a lot in Jablonec, certainly no hostel, but I found a place by the lake.  And aside from the broken toilet seat, I s'pose £26 was good value.  It had a great bar too.  Speaking of toilets, it was where I spent most of half-time.  Let's just say my holiday diet is catching up with me.

The Damage:
CZK 140 ent
CZK 65 klobasa
CZK 30 (500ml, Svigany)
CZK 27 postcard
free programme

The Tunes: none

Stayed at:
Pension Pivovar Volt (£26)

Stadion Strelnice panorama

Tonite's evening meal.

Banking next to the Main Stand.

A smart stand behind the goal.

The mascot greets his/her fans.

Drinks ladies taking orders.

Scoreboard.

The press gantry.

The running track has seen better days.

The mascot.

Side of the Main Stand.

The far side.

A minimalistic hotel room.