Sparta secure Czech laurels

AC Sparta Praha are savouring their 35th Czech title after completing their league campaign without defeat, ending the season with a 1-0 home win against FK Teplice that kept them a point ahead of FK Jablonec 97.

Despite Sparta's unbeaten record, 14 draws in their previous 29 fixtures meant they headed into their final match under pressure from both Jablonec and FC Baník Ostrava, who began the day level on points with the leaders but behind on goal difference. The capital outfit held their nerve, however, and in front of a Generali Arena sold out for the first time this season, prevailed thanks to a 47th-minute header from the oldest man on the pitch, Tomáš Řepka. It was the 36-year-old's first league goal in over two years.

A 1-1 draw at 1. FK Príbram meant Baník Ostrava slipped to third, a result which allowed Jablonec to finish surprise runners-up after they beat SK Dynamo České Budějovice 2-0. Jablonec's reward is a spot in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round next season, with Baník resigned to starting a round earlier. The second-placed club could also end 2009/10 with silverware if they overcome FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Czech Cup final on Tuesday. Should they prevail, fourth-placed FK Teplice will also be able to begin planning a UEFA Europa League bid.

League winners in the last two seasons, SK Slavia Praha came in seventh at the end of a campaign in which they dismissed coach Karel Jarolím after five years at the helm. His replacement, František Cipro, announced his farewell in the wake of Saturday's win 1-0 at FK Mladá Boleslav. At the bottom, FC Bohemians Praha and SK Kladno were already bound for relegation before the final round of action.