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Sparta celebrate the double after penalty shoot-out
Sparta emerged as winners of the Česká Pošta Cup on Saturday. Both teams played out a goalless first-half with Plzeň taking the lead late in the second-half with a goal from Radím Řezník. Josef Hušbauer levelled the match in the final minute of the game from the penalty spot after a handball from Plzeň‘s Mílan Petržela. Petržela then missed from the spot in the penalty shoot-out to see Sparta lift the Cup after a wait of seven years.
The first thirty minutes of the match were played in a downbeat atmoshpere as fans decided not to show their support for the two teams. This was reflected in the lackluster performance of both teams at the beginning of the match.
Sparta were a little more active at the start with the first chance falling to Hušbauer but his shot was easily saved by keeper Kozáčik.
Playing in the heavy rain proved difficult for both teams with only a few attacking opportunities on each side.
Plzeň’s best chance came just before the break when Horváth’s cross found Kovařík at the back post but his header landed safely in the arms of keeper Vaclík.
After the break, the referee signalled play on after a foul on Kolář but the ball was cleared by Švejdík.
Viktoria finally opened the scoring in 74th minute when a long range strike from Radím Řeznik took a deflection off Svejdík, finding its way into the back of the net.
Plzeň were clearly the better side towards the end but in a dramatic finish, a handball by Mílan Petržela gave Sparta a penalty in the final minute. Josef Hušbauer then stepped up to score from the penalty spot and the game to be decided on a penalty shoot-out.
The game was finally decided in the tenth round of penalties when Petržela missed from the spot to give Sparta the Cup.
Sparta have now won the Cup for the sixth time and are the only team ever to do the double. Sparta have now done the double twice, the last time being seven years ago.
PHOTO: ČTK
