Ligová fotbalová asociaceChance Liga

1926-1944: European dominance

The year 1927 began sadly. On 5 January, news arrived at Letná that Jaroslav Poláček, a great football hope and a die-hard Spartan, had succumbed to an insidious kidney disease. He was only 22 years old. Sparta had an excellent team, which confirmed the great previous era by winning two Central European Cups. Unfortunately, the end of this period was disrupted by the war.
1926

Champion of the 1st Central Bohemian Professional League

1927

Winner of the Central European Cup, Champion of the 1st Central Bohemian Professional League

1931

Winner of the Central Bohemia Cup

1932

Champion of the 1st Association Professional League

1934

Winner of the Central Bohemia Cup

1935

Winner of the Central European Cup

1936

Champion of the 1st State League, Winner of the Central Bohemia Cup

1938

Champion of the 1st State League

1939

Champion of the Czech-Moravian League

1941

Winner of the Czech Cup

1943

Winner of the Czech Cup

1944

Champion of the Czech-Moravian League, Winner of the Czech Cup

Timeline

Photo gallery

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Bury me in the red jersey of Sparta, and let my teammates carry me on my last journey.

– Jaroslav Poláček's last wish on his deathbed

Ideal 11

The line-up was selected by the chairman of the Club of Sports Journalists and co-author of the book Iron Sparta Zdeněk Pavlis.

The glory of Iron Sparta was fading, but a new team was already forming at Letná, which followed its famous predecessors in the seasons before World War II. Naturally, some players stayed and continued, but new youngsters came in, so that out of the great competition a team was born that twice won the Central European Cup, a competition first intended only for club champions and second teams from Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia, but gradually expanded to include teams from Italy, Switzerland and Romania. The fame and popularity of the Central European Cup was so great that it can be compared to today's Champions League.

Memorable matches

Date
Type
Teams
Score
8. 5. 1927
International
Sparta Praha vs. Peňarol Montevideo
1:0
30. 10. 1927
First STEP final match
Sparta Praha vs. Rapid Vídeň
6:2
12. 10. 1939
Second STEP semi-final match
Sparta Praha vs. Ambrosiana Inter Milán
6:1
28. 7. 1935
Third STEP semi-final match
Juventus Turín vs. Sparta Praha
1:5
15. 9. 1935
Second STEP final match
Sparta Praha vs. Ferencváros
3:0

If I said anything, you wouldn't have PLAYED me. And I've been looking forward to that game with Slavia all year...

– Jaroslav Červený after he played the derby with a crushed thumb and fainted after the game

PERSONALITIES

Jaroslav Burgr
Jaroslav Burgr

*7. 3. 1906 - †15. 9. 1986 This defender came to Sparta in 1926 from Kročehlav at the age of 20, defended its colours for 19 years and 13 years as captain. He played 625 games in the red jersey, celebrating 6 titles and two Central European Cup triumphs. He soon put down roots at Sparta and was one of its biggest supports. He was full of fighting spirit, he didn't lack tenacity, he was an example in game commitment.

Raymond Braine
Raymond Braine

*28. 4. 1907 - †27. 12. 1978 The Belgian wore the red jersey from 1930 to 1936, he played 281 games and scored an incredible 300 goals! He was an excellent centre forward who could pass the ball well, escape quickly, shoot well and defend well when needed. He could literally do everything in football, after Kad'a he became the leader of our team. His first contract was only one year with a monthly salary of 1500 crowns. However, the initial questions over his application disappeared after the first game. He immediately impressed the fans with his performance entering the match. He immediately settled in our team and shone like a star in many games.

Josef Košťálek
Josef Košťálek

*31. 8. 1909 - †21. 11. 1971 One of the offspring of Kročehlavské Líhně, came to Sparta in 1929 and wore the red jersey for 15 years. He played 535 games and scored 105 goals. He won five titles at Letná and in 1935 he won the Central Bohemian Cup. He started as a productive clutch player, but got the biggest ovation on the right edge of midfield. He was fast and unconventional, had a refined sense of passing and interplay, amazed with his technical tricks and tricks, had an excellent head game and was able to occupy his opponents perfectly. He was able to be graceful at all times and kept his cool and insight even in the most difficult situations.

Oldřich Nejedlý
Oldřich Nejedlý

*25. 12. 1909 - †11. 6. 1990 He wore the red jersey from 1931 to 1941 and scored a respectable 388 goals in 415 games. He celebrated four titles and the first place in the Central Bohemian Cup. At the 1934 World Championship, he was the top scorer with five goals. While he was still playing for Rakovik, where he had played since he was 16, he seriously injured his knee and few doctors told him he was finished with football. Immediately after his arrival to Sparta he became an official figure of its offense. He was not only able to finish actions, but also to establish them. He was playing in a huge space and constantly changing places. He was a hard worker, a constructor and a cannonballer.

Jan Říha
Jan Říha

*11. 11. 1915 - †18. 12. 1995 In 1937 he transferred from Písek to Sparta and successfully passed the entrance examination. He scored the winning goal in the defeat of Židenice and contributed significantly to the 2:1 victory over Slavia with two excellent passes. He wore the red jersey since 1950, played 429 games and scored 251 goals. He immediately became a fixture in the starting lineup. With his technical interventions he aroused enthusiasm in the audience. He also excelled in speed and was equally good with his left and right foot, making him indispensable to the team. His combativeness made him a footballer of international stature. He has been described by numerous experts as the best winger in Europe.

Sparta is a nice team, and that's enough for me to like it. And then, in front of such a great crowd IN Prague, it's good for everyone to play.

– Raymond Braine after his transfer to Sparta