The Spartans will play the basic group of the European League this season. The Prague club stated on its website that its participation in the main phase of the competition was confirmed by the European Football Union UEFA.
The winner of the MOL Cup domestic cup was moved to the group by the triumph of Seville in the European League. The Andalusian team secured participation in the Champions League at the same time in the Spanish league, so that Rennes took one vacancy in the “millionaire” competition. If the French club did not advance directly, it would play the fourth preliminary round of the Champions League and at the same time be sure of the European League group. It was this position that Rennes gave up to the Letna team.
The Spartans will be in the group stage of the European League for the first time since 2016. In the last three years, they have always dropped out in qualifying. The draw for the EL groups will take place on October 2 in Athens, and coach Václav Kotal’s charges will be placed in the second performance basket. The opening round of the groups will start on October 22, the last sixth is on the program on December 10.
Sparta achieved the best result in the new format of the European League in the year 2015/16, when it was not enough for Villarreal in the quarterfinals. The following season, the Prague team also advanced from the group, but dropped out in the opening spring elimination round with Rostov.
UEFA has not yet announced a financial bonus for the new year of the European Cups, which was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. Last season, however, EL clubs received a bonus of approximately 77 million crowns for advancing to the group.
Of the Czech representatives, Slavia in Prague is also sure of the autumn EL group. However, the reigning league champions can win their participation in the prestigious Champions League for the second time in a row if they succeed in the final fourth round.
The qualifying matches of the European League are still waiting for Jablonec, Liberec and Plzeň, which moved into the competition after Wednesday’s loss in Alkmaar (1: 3 after extra time) in the second preliminary round of the Champions League.
