Slavia against English clubs: Waiting for win since 2000
Leeds 2000
Last quarter-final of European competition dates back to the season 1999/2000 and remains the second-best European progress for Slavia after 1996 UEFA Cup semi-final. Back then Slavia eliminated Vojvodina Novi Sad, Grasshopers, Steaua Bucharest and Udinese to face Leeds United - one of the best English clubs of the brink of the century.
Leeds with Martyn, Kewell, Bowyer, Smith or Woodgate was successful not only in UEFA Cup, but also in the Champions League and finished third in 1999/2000 Premier League. It was thus difficult task ahead of Slavia which was confirmed in the first game on Eland Road. The red-whites lost 0-3 and the tie has been practically decided. Despite winning 2-1 home in Prague Slavia were eliminated.
Tottenham 2006
But it was not for the last time Slavia met English side in European cups. In 2006/07 the red-whites met with Tottenham Hotspur in the first round of UEFA Cup losing 0-1 home in the first leg (goal Jenas) and 0-1 again away (goal Keane).
Arsenal 2007
Just a year later Slavia qualified for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage for the first time in the history of the club and was drawn into the group with Sevilla FC, Steaua and Arsenal. The away game on Emirates Stadium became a nightmare for thousands of travelling fans as Slavia lost 0-7 (Fábregas 2, Walcott 2, Hleb, Bendtner and one OG). But the home game just two weeks later was something completely different and Slavia drew 0-0 which helped her to finish third in the group and qualify for the UEFA Cup 3rd round.
Tottenham 2008
In the Spring Slavia were drawn against Tottenham again and were close to eliminate the club from White Hart Lane. Despite losing 1-2 home (Střihavka - Berbatov, Keane) the red-whites showed solid performance in London and were close to extra time with 1-1 draw (O’Hara - Krajčík).
Aston Villa 2008
First English club to travel to brand new Eden Arena was Aston Villa in 2008/09 UEFA Cup. In front of one of the sold-out stadium Slavia lost 0-1 when Carew broke the deadlock on 26th minute.
Chelsea 2019
Slavia had to wait 11 more years to meet another English club in the European competition. In the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League Quarter-final the Red-whites lost both games to future winners Chelsea FC (0-1 home, 3-4 away), but especially the second leg at Stamford Bridge will be engraved in Slavia fans´ memory for a long time thanks to two beautiful strikes by Petr Ševčík and stunning Slavia performance in the second half.
Watch the "English Dream" episode from Slavia TV Series "Total Season" showing both games against Chelsea:
