Son versus father in family affair in Prague

Hamburger SV's Czech Republic midfielder David Jarolím will be taking on an SK Slavia Praha team coached by his father Karel in Prague on Thursday, with only one of the two clubs likely to qualify from Group F.

Extended family ties
As if the father and son tie-up were not enough, adding extra spice to the game is the fact Slavia's starting XI is likely to include David's cousin, Marek Jarolím. Remarkably, it will not be the first time the family has been on opposing sides. Father and son were also pitted against each other in the UEFA Cup three years ago when Hamburg beat Slavia 2-0 in a group-stage match in which David's elder brother Lukáš played for the Czech team. The latter of the Jarolím siblings is now with AC Siena in Italy's Serie A.

Qualifying chances
Despite the disappointment, the defeat in December 2005 was not too bitter a pill for Jarolím Sr as both clubs advanced. "I hope it will be the same scenario this time," David Jarolím said after the Group F draw was made, although the reality is that just one of the sides may go through. Aston Villa FC top the group on six points, followed by AFC Ajax also with six, Hamburg on three, and then Slavia and MŠK Žilina with one point each. "My father was teasing me in our last phone call, advising me to save my energy for our next Bundesliga game. But it's not on. I'll play at full speed on Thursday," continued Jr, who expects a more difficult test than three years ago from the Czech champions.

UEFA Champions League experience
"Slavia have the title and also experience of the UEFA Champions League. They have much more self-confidence and their new stadium is also an advantage – Eden is perfect," he added, referring to Slavia's new Stadion Eden home, where he represented the Czech Republic in a friendly against Lithuania last May. Father is in no mood to indulge son, however, being keen to make amends for 2005. "We owe them and this is our chance to do it," said the coach. His nephew Marek also has a score to settle when the extended family come together. "When we played as children at our grandmother's house, I was the youngest and I often cried after losing," Marek said. "Now it's payback."