Europe beckons Mladá Boleslav

FK Mladá Boleslav have earned a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after a last-minute goal at FC Slovan Liberec.

Levelling blows
Mladá Boleslav, who were promoted to the Czech top flight for the first time two years ago, went 2-0 up at champions Liberec as Marek Kulic converted two first-half penalties at the U Nisy stadium. However, goals from Milan Matula and Martin Abrahám brought it back to 2-2 in the space of eleven minutes.

Dramatic winner
However, the season's surprise package were not to be outdone. Kulic completed a hat-trick with the most important goal of his career as Liberec suffered their first home defeat of the campaign and SK Slavia Praha were denied UEFA Champions League qualification at the last minute.

Slavia denied
A strike from Brazilian Gaúcho and two from Stanislav Vlček gave Slavia a 3-0 win at FC Vysocina Jihlava, but they will be playing in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup next term despite finishing level on points with Mladá Boleslav. The eventual winners of the Czech Cup will start the same competition in the first round.