Who are Sparta Prague, Lyon's Champions League opponent?

With the Champions League qualifying draw having been made today, Olympique Lyonnais learned who they will face -- Czechia's Sparta Prague. Learn more about them in our latest.

TWO European semifinals

Given the strength of Czechoslovakian football as a whole in the 1970s -- including their 1976 European title -- there's little surprise that Sparta impressed in the decade, reaching the semifinals of the Cupwinners' Cup in 1973, eliminating teams from Hungary, Germany and Belgium before narrowly falling to AC Milan. They also reached the semifinals of the 1992 European Cup, beating Rangers and Marseille before notching a notable victory over eventual winners Barcelona in the group stage despite being the competition's lowest-ranked side by some margin.

132 years and counting

Later this year, in November, the Club will celebrate its 133rd anniversary, with its founding dating to 1893. Originating with three brothers, Sparta chose the colors of red, yellow, and blue to honor Prague's status as a royal city, and took their red kit from Arsenal, with the then-president having seen the Gunners play on a trip abroad.

🔴🔵 What a game in Prague as Lyon turn it around! 🤯

⏰0⃣4⃣ Sparta Praha 1-0 Lyon
⏰1⃣9⃣ Sparta Praha 2-0 Lyon
⏰4⃣2⃣ Sparta Praha 2-1 Lyon
⏰5⃣3⃣ Sparta Praha 2-2 Lyon
⏰6⃣7⃣ Sparta Praha 2-3 Lyon
⏰8⃣8⃣ Sparta Praha 2-4 Lyon
⏰9⃣0⃣➕6⃣ Sparta Praha 3-4 Lyon #UEL pic.twitter.com/B3x3klNhVd
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 21, 2021

Six previous encounters

The two teams have squared off six times previously -- once in the Champions League group stages and twice in the Europa League. Les Gones have had the better of these encounters by some margin, but that's not to say there hasn't been some thrilling encounters, including a 4-3 win for ten-man Lyon in 2021 and a 2-1 win for OL in 2012 that featured goals by Bafé Gomis (below) and Lisandro López.

Karabec a shared connection

While Lyon have had few Czech players in their history -- only three in recent memory, including current star Pavel Šulc, last season saw them feature Adam Karabec on loan from the Prague side. While the emergence of Afonso Moreira and the January signings of Endrick and Roman Yaremchuk meant his opportunities were limited, he nonetheless made thirty appearances, including scoring twice in Lyon's run to the Europa League Round of 16.

Legendary names

Finally, Sparta have produced some truly legendary names, especially in recent decades. Former Stade Rennais 'keeper Petr Cech, Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Jan Koller, who spent time with both AS Monaco and Cannes, all made their names at Letná Stadium.

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