Karvina 3  Jablonec 1  Czech Cup Final 2026.

The 33rd Czech Cup final proved an historic occasion for Karvina who celebrated their first ever title together with entry into the UEFA Europa League, which would be their debut in Europe.

Their beaten opponents, who were strong favourites, could boast a couple of previous Cup victories and some recent European campaigns but finished second-best.

This edition was played in the pleasant environment of Hradec Kralove, east of Prague, in a modern stadium featuring some very eye-catching floodlights.

As usual the main fan contingents were arrayed at either end, though with both wearing green it was difficult to separate the different factions.

 

Both teams fielded a selection of African players, especially up front where Gambian Jawo led the line for Jablonec with Cameroon’s Alegue in support.

While Karvina had the highly rated Ayaosi (Nigeria) and Guinea’s Conde either side of Brazilian Vinicius

Early on the Silesian based team pressed before the favourites got forward until, on 15 minutes, Jablonec were awarded a penalty (for handball, after VAR intervention) that the tall Jawo converted, slowly.

For a time it seemed Jablonec would assert control as Sedlacek and Chanturishvilli tried to control the midfield.

However, after a particularly feisty period, Karvina levelled when Ayaosi broke free and Conde followed up his parried effort for an easy score.

That was just before the break and the tie was now even.

 

The second began with a bang for Karvina as within two minutes a flowing move down the right ended with Vinicius scoring at the near post.

Coach Lubos Kozel soon made changes including bringing on Ebrina Singhateh, but this Gambian did not last long, as he was soon dismissed for a bad tackle.

That made J’s task a lot harder, though they retained the two strikers.

Further changes were made and the gaps got greater in the frantic last ten.

Though Jablonec, pressing towards their ultras, went close with a Jawo header they never equalised and it was left to the tall Brazilian (looking like an 800m runner from the past) to clinch the victory after Nigerian Lucky Ezeh ran clear to set him up for 3-1.

Karvina were ecstatic and celebrated with their fans (a large number came by special train)

They had taken their chances and subdued any chance of an opposition revival.

And so onto Europe?

Report from Czechia – John Bethell