Czech Republic round-up: Sparta kept in check

AC Sparta Praha were unable to celebrate winning the Czech First Division title in style when they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Letná stadium by SK Sigma Olomouc.

Late equaliser
Sparta had been awarded the title after being awarded three points on Friday for an abandoned game against CU Bohemians Praha, but it looked like the new champions were heading for a rare defeat when Martin Vyskocil scored seven minutes before the final whistle, slotting through the legs of advancing goalkeeper Jaromír Blašek for his first-ever league goal. However, there was still time for Lukás Zelenka to equalise and earn Sparta a draw.

Slavia second
Pavel Kuka was twice on target as second-placed SK Slavia Praha overcame FK Viktoria Zizkov 3-0. Brazilian substitute Evander Adauto celebrated his return from injury with the third goal.

First-half revival
Last year's champions FC Slovan Liberec overturned a one-goal deficit to keep their UEFA Cup chances alive thanks to a 3-1 victory against relegated SK Hradec Králové. The home side suffered a setback in the eight minute when one of their former players, David Breda, opened the scoring, but Petr Papoušek, Jan Nezmar and Václav Koloušek all found the net before the break to turn the match on its head.

Top-flight status
FK Chmel Blšany guaranteed their presence in the top flight next season with a 2-2 draw at 1. FC Synot. The home side twice took the lead through Petr Sloncík and league top scorer Jirí Kowalík, who collected his fifteenth goal of the season from the penalty spot, but Josef Nìmec and Radek Selicha responded promptly on each occasion.

Bohemians relegated
Bohemians Praha, in contrast, were demoted despite a 1-0 victory against FK Teplice with Libor Baláz scoring the only goal of the game.

Brno in form
1. FC Brno thoroughly outclassed FC Tescoma Zlín in a 5-0 victory, scoring three goals before the half-hour mark. The home side, who were among the strugglers two months ago, have taken 18 points from their last eight games to climb out of the relegation zone.

Príbram denied
FC Príbram were close to their first away win of the season at SK Ceské Budìjovice but were held to a draw after Martin Vozábal cancelled out Rudolf Otepka's opener in a 1-1 draw. Elsewhere, FC Baník Ostrava defeated FK Jablonec 97 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Zdenek Pospech and Martin Lukes.