Hradec Králové Falls Short in Cup Run, Dreams of Home Final Dashed
By 247sports.news Staff
Key Moments Defined the Match
Hradec Králové’s pursuit of a coveted spot in the MOL Cup final ended in disappointment, with the coach citing unused pressure from the first half as a pivotal moment. The first half showed a lot, when we were clearly better, but we couldn’t turn it over to our side,
the Hradec Kralove coach stated.
Fatigue and Substitutions Impacted Performance
The second half saw a shift in momentum, largely attributed to strategic substitutions made by the opposing team. The coach noted the impact on key players, including Vladimír Darida. Substitutions helped Baník. Quality players came and our performance gradually declined. Some guys went overboard – for example Darida and Čihák. After the match in Liberec, they were fed up and now they had to cope with the next 120 minutes,
he explained.
Limited Bench Depth Proved Costly
A lack of offensive options on the bench hampered Hradec Králové’s ability to respond to Baník’s late-game push. There were basically only defenders. There was no one to send forward,
the coach revealed.
Pitch Conditions Under Scrutiny
The state of the pitch also drew criticism from both coaches and players. Concerns were raised about the deteriorating surface, particularly in front of the benches. That’s not grass, that’s clay! You saw how Vlkanova wanted to finish and the ball bounced a meter into the air,
the coach exclaimed. Goalkeeper Adam Zadražil concurred, stating, The pitch got worse from worse to worse. But that’s no excuse, we both had the same conditions.
Missed Opportunity for Home Final
The defeat is particularly disheartening as this year’s final was scheduled to be held at the Malšovice Arena, Hradec Králové’s home stadium. The coach acknowledged the team’s disappointment, stating, We didn’t have it in our heads during the match, but it was our dream. It has now disappeared. But I can’t fault the boys. There were great things going forward, the only thing missing was precision in the final phase.
Vladimír Darida’s Current Status
As of November 29, 2025, Vladimír Darida plays as a central midfielder for Hradec Králové. He began his career with Viktoria Plzeň in 2010 and has also played for Freiburg, Hertha BSC, and Aris.