Slavia look to cook up a storm

As SK Slavia Praha prepare to take on 2006 UEFA Champions League finalists Arsenal FC in Group H on Tuesday, some of the Czech side are still coming to terms with how far they have come in a very short time.

Recipe for success
Take defender František Dřížďal for example. The 29-year-old was combining life as a cook with football before turning professional little more than a year ago. Now, after signing for the Czech champions from FC Baník Sokolov in the summer, he is relishing the chance to match his talent against the Premier League leaders.

Professional offer
"It's a shame it came quite late but I am so happy," Dřížďal said. "I always wanted to achieve something and find a job to pay my bills. My motivation when I got the offer from Sokolov was to get a professional contract. I played well and other clubs started to watch me." Dřížďal impressed enough to give up the day job. "I liked the job and wanted to be a cook, but I didn't know that I would have to stop for football," he said.

Gruelling schedule
"I used to get up at 5.00am, go to work and finish at 3.00pm. Then I had training at 4.00pm and came home at 7.00pm. It was like that until I got a professional contract a year ago. It's a nice story that shows how a simple man can play top-class football. I can only encourage anyone in the same situation not to give up and carry on." It is philosophy the defender will take into tomorrow's match against Arsenal. "Arsenal are a great team but we're not giving up," he said. "Why should we?"

First chance
Goalkeeper Martin Vaniak was signed in the summer from FK SIAD Most and is also getting his first crack at Europe's premier club competition at the age of 37. "I'm experiencing something new," said Vaniak, who has been capped seven times for the Czech Republic but not since 2004. "I think it's a bonus from football to me. We Czechs know how to deal with things like that and we have nothing to lose which is very important for us and our psychology."

'Big experience'
Slavia kicked off their first UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win against FC Steaua Bucureşti, and their 4-2 defeat by Sevilla on Matchday 2 has taken none of the sheen off that achievement. "We didn't play well against Sevilla but it was a big experience for us and we have taken it in a positive way," said Vaniak. "Arsenal are a top, top team and are in very good form, but the result will be decided on the pitch. More than anything we want to perform well and play good football, football we can be proud of.”

These interviews are courtesy of the UEFA Champions League Magazine Show.