AC Sparta Prague

Czech football team.

AC Sparta Prague, commonly known as Sparta Prague, is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1893, Sparta is the oldest club in the country and plays its home games at the Generali Arena, which has a capacity of 18,944 spectators. The club's colors are burgundy and white, earning them the nickname "Rudí" (The Maroons).

Sparta Prague has a rich history of success, both domestically and in European competitions. They have won the Czech First League (and its predecessor, the Czechoslovak First League) a record 36 times, making them the most successful club in Czech football history. Additionally, they have claimed the Czech Cup 15 times and the Czech Supercup twice.

In European competitions, Sparta's most notable achievement came in 1973 when they reached the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup. They have also been regular participants in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, often progressing to the knockout stages.

The club's youth academy is renowned for producing top-quality players who have gone on to have successful careers both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Notable academy graduates include Tomáš Rosický, Petr Čech, and Jan Koller, all of whom became key players for the Czech national team and had successful careers in top European leagues.

Sparta Prague's biggest rivalry is with Slavia Prague, another prominent club from the Czech capital. Their matches, known as the Prague derby, are among the most fiercely contested in Czech football and often have significant implications for the league title race. In recent years, Sparta has faced increased competition domestically, particularly from Slavia Prague and Viktoria Plzeň