Three Czech clubs knocked out in qualification for Europa League

Three Czech clubs have been eliminated in qualification for the continent’s second tier football competition, the Europa League. Viktoria Plzeň had two men sent off as they went down 3:0 to Besiktas in Istanbul on Thursday, losing that tie 4:1 on aggregate. Baník Ostrava were beaten 2:1 at home by Dnepr Mogilev, giving the Belarusian side an aggregate 3:1 win, while Jablonec also failed to make home advantage pay, losing 3:0 on the night and 4:0 overall to APOEL Nicosia. The only Czech team in European competition this season will be Sparta Prague. The title holders have reached the final qualification round for the Champions League, and are guaranteed a Europa League spot if they don’t get past Slovakia’s Žilina.

Author: Ian Willoughby