EVZ Sparta Prague swept out of the arena with a score of 6-0 last Wednesday. Looking at the Czech roster, it was noticeable that some of the top players were being rested, with numerous junior players featuring in the line-up instead. Sparta promptly followed this with a disastrous first period, conceding four goals. After the game, the Prague team was heavily criticized by fans and the media. Those responsible felt compelled to issue a statement: on November 14, they announced on their website that the costs for the numerous fans who had traveled with the charter flight would be reimbursed. They also explained why certain players had been rested and did not travel to Zug.
We can now expect to see a different side to Sparta Prague on Tuesday. But will it be enough to make up a 6-goal deficit? No team has ever won a CHL playoff game with a goal difference greater than 6-0 – and no team has ever managed to come back from such a deficit. EVZ therefore already has one foot in the CHL quarterfinals.
As a reminder, if the aggregate score after two games (120 minutes of play) is tied, the game will go into overtime. This will be played according to the new CHL overtime rules.
The second leg of the round of 16 will take place in Prague on Tuesday, November 18. EVZ has put itself in an excellent position with a 6-0 win in the first leg.
In the Czech league, Sparta suffered another 0-3 defeat against Liberec two days after their CHL defeat – 120 minutes, no goals, nine goals conceded. The reaction came on Sunday afternoon: in the match against Pilsen – Jan Kovar’s and Dominik Kubalik’s youth club – they picked up three points thanks to a 6-5 victory.
EVZ also recorded one win and one defeat: on Friday against Ambrì, they came back from 0-2 down to win 4-2 thanks to a remarkable improvement in performance, but on Sunday, Zug lost 5-1 in Davos despite an acceptable performance.
On their return to the European stage, EVZ are likely to field the same line-up as in the first leg a week earlier. Head coach Michael Liniger’s team will set off for the Czech capital on Monday afternoon.
