The home of kangaroos where you needed to stay human

The story of Prague's unorthodox Dolicek Stadium

photo: bohemians.cz

Once upon a time, there was a football club called AFC Vrsovice. And it was lucky enough to go on tour to Australia. And bring home a lot of glory and a real kangaroo. And also to change the name to Bohemians, so that Australians could understand who they were dealing with.

After travelling across distant seas and oceans, the club instantly gained thousands of new fans at home. One day, the stands of their native Dolicek (that is, the valley - the stadium was located in a small depression) could not stand it and broke under the pressure of the crowd. The club had to think about a new home. They were very lucky that one of the local authorities, Zdenek Danner, was a fan of the team. He, of course, gave money to build a new home for the Kangaroos.

The arena, which was named Danner's Stadium, was opened on 27 March 1932. A little time passed and the fans began to call it Dolicek, just like its predecessor. The power of habit! In the following decades, the club itself went through everything it could have gone through. There were the Nazis, who changed all the orders and the name of the club, the Soviets, who did the same thing, but on an even larger scale, and numerous relegations from the top flight... There were also moments of glory. Bohemians repeatedly played in European competitions, became a medalist and even the champion of Czechoslovakia, and their native Dolicek became a powerful fortress with an original atmosphere. It is still said: ‘If you haven't been to Bohemka, you haven't been to football!’ Well, where else can you find a stadium with a sign on the stand that says ‘cheer, but stay human’? There was indeed such an inscription there under communist rule. Now it's gone, but in general, the stadium remains a bit of a socialist reserve. The last major reconstruction of the main stand took place here in 1970. Since then, the stadium hasn't exactly become more beautiful. But the atmosphere here seems to be getting better every time. Compared to the more familiar Prague atmospheres at the stadiums of Slavia and Sparta, it's as if those who want something special gather here on purpose. The place is fascinating - from the enchanting green and white colours and the strong support of the fan sector to the kangaroo mascot and trams running behind one of the gates.

Bohemians fans are proud of their small stadium. When they were forced to move to Slavia's stadium, they almost completely stopped attending home games, demanding the return of their own Dolicek. And they succeeded! Oh, and they also managed to save the club from disappearing or being moved to another part of Prague by scammers - but that's not really about the stadium. Although, it is worth admitting, it is the fans who are the main stars of Dolicek. They are the ones who have fallen in love with this place with all their hearts, turning it into one of the most exciting football destinations in Europe.

Finally, I'll tell you about another very interesting thing. Everyone knows the Panenka kick, which was first performed at a high level by Antonin Panenka. And he was a Bohemians player, by the way. Now he is its president. Mr Antonin said that his brazen shot in the Euro 76 final was no accident. He had been training him for two years in his native Dolicek! And then the whole world opened their mouths at the curious shot, which was born in a stadium where everything is curious.