In 2018 and 2023, it was a decisive seventh duel. The East Bohemians were always more successful. “Which was mentally demanding. Now we went from third place, but again against Pardubice. We knew that no one wanted to catch them in the quarter-finals. In the end, it turned out 4:1 for us, which I would not have believed before the start of the series,” said the moved Sluneta general manager Tomáš Hrubý, himself a champion with Opava in 2003.
This time, mutual battles were done without excesses. A year ago, the then coach of Pardubice, Repeša, recalled his charges from the field during one of the matches so that his team would avoid shaking hands with opponents. The heated atmosphere was also transmitted to the stands. “That was a storm in a glass of water, look at what is happening in the hockey playoff between Pardubice and Třinec. There was some pushing, but we’re moving on,” Hrubý waved his hand, a big stormtrooper himself.
Pardubice quarterback Petr Šafarčík also confirmed that it was more peaceful this time. “The estuary ran right past us, there’s no point in hiding here. They stripped us naked, the whole course of our season was not good. It will be about our self-reflection, everyone has to start with themselves,” he said sadly.
Next time, Šafarčíka et al. coach Šotnar from Ústí could lead. “What team wouldn’t want a coach of the season? He confirmed his quality again in this series,” said leader Beksy.
In Ústí nad Labem, where professional sports are dying for the living, basketball players are idols at the moment. “The city is experiencing a basketball boom. I set big goals for myself, I want to do the best for the city, as well as for the players and spectators. We have a budget to work with. If the budgets were published, someone would look and think I had a magic wand. Our possibilities are definitely not as high as people think,” describes the boss.
Another meta? Winter stadium
If Ostrava eliminates Opava, the so-called “El Nordico,” that is, the North Bohemian derby between Ústí and Děčín, will take place in the semifinals. Due to the popularity of basketball in both cities, it would be possible to play the series in a winter stadium. Already in the course of the season, during the matches between Ústí and Děčín, the Ústí hall ceased to meet its capacity. “The coach will have the main say in this. He knows my wishes and knows what I would like to do for the audience. Even if I had to ride a lizard in the winter and build a deck. But we would also partially lose the advantage of the home environment. It’s still fresh, let’s think. On the other hand, it would be talked about years later,” Hrubý dreams.
Nevertheless, filling the nearly 7,000-seat winter stadium would be a challenge. “And we have some goals and dreams. Playing in the cold could cost us the medal we want. Alternatively, against Děčín, we would start at home and there would be a chance to go even further. I’m inclined to play in our hall, where we know it and where we haven’t lost since December 17,” Ústí coach Jan Šotnar, on the other hand, is clear.
Pivot Ladislav Pecka, on the other hand, does not solve this issue. “Let’s play in a football stadium, I don’t care,” he laughed immediately after the promotion.
VIDEO | Eight years ago, basketball was played at the winter stadium in Děčín.
Basketball was played in the winter in Děčín, and Nymburk also praised the atmosphere
