Plzen has made sure that everyone knows that the Czech Republic is not just about Prague anymore. Media personality Harel Slutsky is ready for the matchup against Viktoria Plzen and says that we have the opportunity to show the world that Tel Aviv is not just "The City That Never Sleeps" when it comes to our culture
One of my all-time favorite players was the great Pavel Nedved, the former Czech National Team and Juventus star who now works in the administration of the "Old Lady." Luckily, Nedved is not part of the Viktoria Plzen squad, however there are five players that are on the Czech National Team who are trying to guide their side to the upcoming Euro 2016 tournament in Paris. Plzen may also be home to the terrific Pilsner Beer which has made a name for itself all around Europe and throughout the world but we are certainly not talking about a group that will be drunk with a hangover especially when we welcome them to Bloomfield Stadium.
Over the last number of years Plzen has proved that the Czech Republic is not just about the romance of Prague, Skoda, the great Cathedrals and popular Pilsner beer, but the city has won the award for Cultural Capital of Europe in 2015. We will have to show them that that even in our city, Tel Aviv, "The City That Never Sleeps" is up to the challenge and we also have a culture, the culture of football and rooting our team on!
The X-Factor in the match with the Czech Champions, even if you don't agree with Ivri Lider and Shiri Maimon the X-Factor show's hosts (but who asked them anyways) will be the crowd at Bloomfield! The only way Maccabi will be able to secure a "Victory" over "Viktoria" will be with the crowd's amazing energy and passion. (Boy, did I turn into the TV commentator Avi Meller just now…)
Last year we had "Tzuk Eitan" in the way of Maccabi making it past this round in European competition, so let's make sure to cheer the players on as hard as we can for 90 minutes so that the flight to Plzen will be much more pleasant for everyone! And if we have a little hiccup along the way, there are a few phenomenal Synagogues in Prague and in Plzen where we can say some prayers!
Good luck to the Yellow-and-Blue!
