Sparta & Bern ready to decide Semi-Final berth in Prague

The battle between the clubs from the two Central-European capitals continues. After a 1-1 draw in the Swiss capital last Wednesday, everything will be decided in the Czech capital this Tuesday. 

“I liked the level out there, it was creative and an international level game,” Bern coach Kari Jalonen said after the first game at home. “A 1-1 result is good for both teams – we had chances and so did they. The first period we had five really good scoring chances and I think we should have got a couple.”

It was Bern's third tie of this CHL season. However, in each of the first two playoff rounds, Bern won the opener, which meant a draw in the return game was enough to send them through. This time, however, they will have to go into Prague and earn a victory.

As for Sparta, in the CHL they've been a lot more successful on the road - where they're unbeaten - than at home, where they've lost three times. However, the players seem sufficiently motivated to win on Tuesday.

“I think being among the top eight teams in the competition is a huge success for Sparta and for all of Czech hockey, but we want to continue,” promises forward Lukas Pech. “There is no reason not to believe we can beat Bern. We have eliminated one of the best Finnish and Swedish teams, so we want to show the Swiss too. We know that we have a chance to go to the Semi-Finals.”

Since the first leg, both Bern and Sparta won both domestic league games they played, so they're both hot and should be full of confidence.