“The semi-final of the MOL Cup with Sparta is here!” Opava entices on its website. It is not surprising, for the currently twelfth team of the second league, it will be the peak of the season.
“A similar chance for the final may not happen again in Opava for a long time. They will therefore want to use this opportunity. However, we will not specifically adapt to them. We are preparing as we always do and we are treating this game like any game in the league or in Europe. We don’t look back at the fact that the opponent plays in the second league,” explains Letenské assistant Lars Friis.
Opava is the first second-division team in the semi-finals of the cup since 2017. Back then, they even made it to the final match and fought for participation in European cups. But in the final, she lost 0:1 to Zlín. A possible triumph on Wednesday over Sparta, the leading team of the top domestic competition and a participant in the round of 16 of the Europa League, would be a great sensation.
“We realize that the opponent will do everything to reach the final. It will be the match of the year for him. At the same time, we know that we are expecting a full stadium and strong support from the home players in the stands. It won’t be easy, but we are certainly the favourites. Cup matches are always special, you don’t play for points and you have to see every match to the winning end. We definitely want to win and advance,” Friis is clear.
Sparta was in the final of the cup in the last two years, but lost to Slovácko and most recently at home in Letná against Slavia. However, they have not lost to Opava since March 1999. The second semi-final between Pilsen and Zlín is scheduled for April 24, the final does not yet have an exact date due to various circumstances.
