Autumn ends well for Artmedia

By Stanislav Hlavácek

FC Artmedia Bratislava go into the winter break at the top of the table in Slovakia having only previously led the pack once during the autumn campaign.

Surprise leaders
The season had looked like becoming a straight battle between FK ZTS Dubnica and reigning champions MŠK Žilina who traded first place throughout the early weeks until some unexpected results on the final day of the autumn campaign lifted Artmedia into pole position. As Žilina were held 1-1 by struggling AŠK Inter Bratislava in the snow and Dubnica lost 3-0 at FC Spartak Trnava, a 1-0 win against FK AS Trencín proved enough to put Artmedia top.

Trnava revival
Artmedia enjoyed a good November and so did Trnava who have thrived, not least with that defeat of Dubnica. Coach Milan Lešický took charge after eight matches and after finding his feet - with a confidence-boosting 1-0 win against Artmedia on 23 October - there has been no stopping his side. A run of seven games without defeat has lifted Trnava to eighth place, taking them clear of the bottom two, FC Rimavská Sobota and Inter.

Molnár dismissed
Having given way to his assistant, Jozef Prochotský, for a run of four games, Ladislav Molnár became the season's third major coaching casualty when he was dismissed by FK Dukla Banská Bystrica. Although Banská Bystrica did not lose in four games under Prochotský, he is still set to be replaced by 44-year-old Václav Danek after the winter break. Danek - a former FC Baník Ostrava, AC Le Havre and FC Tirol Innsbruck striker - will become the second Czech coach in the Slovak top tier after FK Púchov's Pavel Vrba.

Young Dubnica
Dubnica may have ended the autumn on a sour note with defeat at Trnava but the young team led by the oldest coach in the league, Jozef Jankech, were one of the few highlights of what is being considered a disappointing season so far. Concerns have been raised about shrinking attendances and with clubs from other countries already keeping close tabs on the best of Slovakia's homegrown talent, the league could have even fewer attractions by the time the winter transfer window closes.

Cup thrills
The Slovakian Cup has at least brought some excitement. Regarded by many as a handy back route into Europe, the competition will resume next April with Artmedia taking on second division Steel Trans Licartovce in a semi-final that provides a repeat of last season's final. The other semi-final pits champions Žilina against last season's league runners-up Banská Bystrica.