Major leagues:

Gambrinus Liga (UEFA ranked 18)
Average attendance 2010/11: 4,492
16 teams.
Champions into Champions League, 2nd, 3rd and cup winners into Europa League. Bottom 2 relegated.
League website: http://www.gambrinusliga.cz/

English version Czech FA website: http://nv.fotbal.cz/en-index.php

2 Liga
Average attendance 2010/11: 1,011
22 teams. Two promoted to top league, two relegated to either the Bohemian  League or the Moravian-Silesian League.
League website: http://www.legaserieb.it/

Season: August to May with winter break in January and February.

Kick off times: Regular kick off time is 5pm on Sunday. Frequently TV games on Saturday evening and also a 5.15pm teatime game on a Monday. However, kick off arrangements are frequently spread throughout the weekend - often  two or three games on a Saturday, and sometimes matches are starting at 3pm, 5pm and 8.15pm on a Sunday.

 

OK, it's not a footballing powerhouse when it comes to league football. If you put together a top ten of leagues in Europe the Czechs may just edge out the Hungarians into tenth spot - but only just.

 

However, when it comes to playing on the international stage this is one talented country. For a place of just a few million people, since it split from Slovakia (so no, it's NOT still called Czechoslovakia) it has embarrassed major nations such as the English with its performances at major tournaments.

 

With the likes of Pavel Nedved the country rocked to the final of Euro 2004, and is always there or thereabouts as an outside bet.

 

As the aforementioned Czechoslovakia, it did win the Euros back in the seventies. So they're no mugs.

 

The pulling power of the top leagues has robbed the Czechs of their best players. Tomas Rosicky and the likes have hot footed it to the bright lights of the Champions League and the gigantic wages on offer, leaving the domestic league shorn of star players.

 

However, this is the league where those Czech stars began so you can catch a glimpse of up and coming whippersnappers before they make it big.

 

The league's dominated by two big names - Sparta and Slavia Prague, who routinely make it through to the early rounds of the Champions League and occasionally make the group stage. Sparta have enjoyed the upper hand in recent years The city is the Czech Republic's one true international gem and is a good enough excuse for a weekend away anyway.

 

Beyond there the clubs are smaller but the competition is fierce, with a UEFA spot up for grabs for whoever finishes third and the cup winners. And as Plzen proved by winning the title in 2011, the Prague clubs don't have everything their own way.

 

 

The crowds may be modest and some of the grounds have seen better days but a visit to a Czech game is a well spent 90 minutes of your time. The football's not classic but it's tidy and competitive.

 

If you're still not convinced - entry, a programme and a beer can set you back less than £4. Bargain.

 

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