Jablonec spoil Sparta record

Coach Michal Bílek was left to reflect on a "shameful performance" after AC Sparta Praha suffered their heaviest home defeat since Czech independence when losing 3-0 to FK Jablonec 97 on Sunday.

Massive shock
Since the Czech Republic and Slovakia went their separate ways in 1993, Sparta have been hugely impressive at the Letná Stadium, losing only 13 of their 205 1. Liga games. Thus, the weekend defeat was a massive shock for the nation's most popular and successful club. "It was a shameful performance," said Bílek, who had not lost in his previous eleven games since taking over from Stanislav Griga. "I don't understand it. We sometimes play poorly but our will, energy and fighting spirit usually see us through. I am sorry to say we had none of those today."

Party time
While Sparta, who did not lose a home league match between 1996 and 2001, were nursing their wounds, it was party time for fifth-placed Jablonec - not least as eight of their players had failed to make the grade at the capital club at some stage in their careers. As recently as last summer, Luboš Loučka was training with Sparta but was deemed surplus to requirements. The defender showed the club where he started his career as a trainee exactly what they were missing as he opened the scoring on Sunday with a tremendous long-range shot after 34 minutes.

Sparta veterans
Experiencing vindication elsewhere were one-time Sparta reserve goalkeeper Michal Špit, who kept a clean sheet for Jablonec with the help of fellow Letná old boys Milan Fukal and Jan Flachbart. Miroslav Beránek, Milan Petržela and Jan Svátek also starred, while Jozef Weber - who played for Sparta 16 years ago - came on as a substitute to celebrate his 400th appearance in style.

First win
Goals in the second half from Róbert Zeher (54) and Petr Smíšek (89) sealed Jablonec's victory, ending a run of ten straight defeats at the Letná for the club. Prior to Sunday's game, they had conceded 26 goals on their previous ten trips to the capital club and had scored just three times in the procress. SK Slavia Praha took full advantage the following day, defeating FC Slovan Liberec 1-0 to replace their great rivals at the league summit.