Football: Plzeň stuns FC Copenhagen in Champions League play-offs

Czech football champions Viktoria Plzeň sensationally beat FC Copenhagen 3:1 in Denmark on Tuesday night, in the first leg of the Champions League’s play-offs. The Czechs weathered the home side’s initial push, and their moments of glory came in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Czech international Pavel Horváth put a long pass in front of the box to Daniel Kolář but Copenhagen’s defenseman Sölvi Ottesen sent the ball into the net, scoring an own goal. Seven minutes later, Plzeň scored again when Václav Pilař amazingly hit the net from just outside the penalty area. The Danes then narrowed the score with a header by Ottesen in the 69th minute. But the most beautiful goal came ten minutes later when Horváth again passed a long ball to substitute Martin Fillo on the right side of the pitch who, alone against five defenders, turned and scored into the goal’s upper right corner, stunning the hosts. The Czechs have a great chance of making it to the Champions’ League group stag; the second leg is scheduled in Prague next Tuesday.