Czech Republic round-up: Sparta spring to life

AC Sparta Praha showed no signs of a winter break hangover as they won 2-0 against SK Hradec Králóve on Saturday.

Sparta start where they left off
The Czech league leaders continued their 1. liga campaign where they left off at the Letná stadium with a first-half flurry which left their visitors breathless. Libor Sionko dispatched Marek Kincl's cross after just two minutes for the opening goal before Tomáš Cizek cut in from the right to make it 2-0 midway through the half. Jiri Jarošik missed a penalty for Sparta on the stroke of half-time but the UEFA Champions League challengers could afford to be generous.

Tough work for Slavia
Sparta's local rivals SK Slavia Praha enjoyed a less pleasant return from their winter hiatus as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to FK Jablonec 97. Tomáš Jun gave Jablonec a 25th-minute lead only for Richard Dostálek to equalise six minutes before half-time. Martin Petrás put Jablonec back in front nine minutes into the second half but a crisp finish from Tomáš Kuchar earned Slavia a share of the points 14 minutes from time.

Bohemians plod on
It was altogether more comfortable for CU Bohemians Praha, another club from the capital, who secured a 2-0 home win against FC Príbram with goals from Libor Balaz and Bohuslav Snajrd. Fellow championship challengers FC Baník Ostrava found it harder going against FK Drnovice but Petr Drozd's 51st-minute strike was enough to earn them a win.

Polách sinks Opava
SFC Opava, the bottom club, lost 1-0 to 1. FC Synot, Tomáš Polách smashing home a Radim Krupník cross from the right after 26 minutes. Meanwhile, FC Slovan Liberec kept their hopes of European football next season alive with a 2-1 victory at FK Chmel Blšany and FC Brno earned a 2-1 win against SK Sigma Olomouc.