na12OyJEgJ8
(though the singer is wearing an Ajax shirt)

Recently I've been having great fun playing with Dukla Prague in the Czech Republic. I'm going to use this thread for updates, screenshots and memorable goals of the journey of becoming Prague's prominent club. Who knows, a little European success may be possible. Note beforehand: I play with a sugar daddy, otherwise I'd get too frustrated and quit.

First season I started of in the second division, and won that with quite some ease.

I kicked off the second season with a set of new jerseys recalling Dukla's great era (thanks to a guy at sortitoutsi).

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7897/dukla1.pnghttp://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4357/dukla2.png

I also made some investments... Here's a picture of the squad presentation held in a local bar.
http://www.ohm1.com/Kraftwerk-Album-Cover-3.gif
(from left to right: Martin Sus, Jan Navratil, Tomas Pekhart, Tomas Horava)

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8328/schermafbeelding2010120pz.png
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1641/bosancic.png
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2679/horava.png
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5638/simr.png
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4763/navratil.png
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8074/pekhart.png

The season kicked off AWAY at Sparta Prague. Couldn't get off to a better start in the top division. 18 year old talent Stranik, youth product of Slovacko, and signed the year before, with a last minute match winner for Dukla Praha.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/402/praguewin.png

Stranik's winning goal:
42-IXZRpdI0
(It's all a bit slow paced in the Czech Republic as you can see)

This thread is also a document for later to see how much time I once had on my hands.

CHEATEEER!!!

Nah man good for you, looking forward to see you in Europe though. (H)

I had started at Dinamo Zagreb, but gave up because of the money issue. Maybe I'll just edit in a sugar daddy. I remembered Dinamo being rich in a previous version, but now that I think about it that could have just been the money from the Modric sale.

Good luck and I'll be following.

you chose to start a new game with them coz of a song? that's f*cking awesome! (H)


Good luck and I'll be following.ditto

Thanks! I'm also looking forward to Europe, but the first challenge remains to own the Czech Republic. Sparta Prague is currently by far the richest and strongest club and they're also investing great amounts on new players. Hopefully I can challenge them next year.

So far I'm doing mediocre in the First Division. Many of my young talents can handle the division, but it's inconsistent. It's just... average.

This was the result vs. Slavia Prague, the other rival:
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7555/slaviaprague.png

Bosancic' goal after a great dribble and cross by Navratil:
Jfaw-kjknr0

You may also notice how empty my stadium is. Dukla Prague has 220 season ticket holders and the average price for a ticket is 2 euros. The pitch is also HORRIBLE but I can't ask the board to relay the pitch. Curious. Maybe I'll have to wait until the summer.

So far it amounts to an OK 8th spot after 15 of the 30 games. After a FOUR month winter stop I'm going for the Top 4 as that would give me a spot for the Qualifiers for the Europa League. Another way is to win the Cup, and I'm currently in the Quarter Final.
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3118/leaguetablep.png

I was able to make new important January investments, and they should help my goal of gaining a Top 4 spot and a succesful Cup run.

The blonde Brazilian Flavinho from Gremio.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/114/flavinho.png


Alan Patrick from Santos. For a 20 year old he's quite far in his development already. I was surpised to see him filtered out by my assistant as a realistic target. Maybe he's the one that will pull fans away from Sparta and Slavia to the Juliska, Dukla's stadium.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4386/alanpatrick.png


And finally a young Croatian talent who was let go by Hajduk Split. Looks like he has decent potential, even though it remains curious he didn't have a club in 2010-2011. We'll see.
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3674/livaja.png

The second half of the season will kick off at home vs. Sparta Prague.

This is how I will play after the winter break:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/937/schermafbeelding2010120g.png

I used to play in a straight 4-4-2, but I thought I'd spice it up a little with Alan Patrick.

Might be a dangerous tactic if most of your opponents play with an AMC. I've noticed that in a 4-2-3-1 like that with CMs even defensive oriented ball winning midfielders don't actually keep an eye on the space between defense and midfield.

Yeah I agree, I tried it with At. Madrid a while but it didn't quite work. Went back to the old-fashioned 4-1-3-2 (with DM and 2 wide wingers) pretty soon. But that was also because I noticed Aguero doing a lot more damage playing in the SC position than as AMC.

I quickly came to the same conclusion as you guys. Especially in away games and in games against a strong opponent I was easily exploited. After a couple of games I changed to a 4-3-3 with a DM and two wingers, and stuck with that for the remainder of the season. Thankfully it fitted my players.

I went on a decent run and ended up 5th. I fought for the places below Sparta Prague for the last couple of games, and won an important game away at Slavia Prague that saw me climb up to 3rd place with only a few games left.

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/894/slavia.png

I wasn't able to hold on. I lost a crucial game vs. Teplice and then screwed up in the final game at Bohemians 1905. I was however named Manager of the Year, as only a 9th place finish was predicted by the media.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/9886/finalleaguestandings.png

My league position sadly wouldn't warrant a spot in the Europa League, but then...


The legend of Dukla's Cup Hero Tomas Pekhart

In the Quarter Final of the Czech FA Cup I faced Jablonec. I lost 0-1 at home, and in the away game I quickly lost my strongest player Alan Patrick to an injury. All seemed lost when Jablonec scored the 3-1 in the second half. I'd have to score 3 more goals to advance... And that's what I did in an epic of epic epicness.
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4894/jablonec.png

I then beat 2010-2011 Champions Banik Ostrava in the semi-finals. Once again Tomas Pekhart played an important part.

In the final Sparta Prague would be waiting. I beat them once before in the season, so why not again?

For a long time the match was a physical, ugly 0-0 heading for penalties. But then, in the 80th minute, a controversial penalty was called for a foul on Tomas Pekhart, the Cup legend! Jaromir Simr, one of my veterans, stayed cool and gave us the win! Whoop dee do.

Sparta Prague was highly suspicious and furious after the game. Sparta's officials may have seen the ref's new Maserati in the parking lot. I insisted he'd wait to drive it until some time after the final...
Nonetheless, the trophy is mine.
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/143/cupfinal0.png

E U R O P A!

http://www.arrakeen.ch/europa_flag_map_stars.jpg

Masopust Park was also announced, due for the 2014-2015 season. ''Park'' doesn't really fit a Czech team, so that's quite lame, but nonetheless a fun surprise.

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/7215/masopustpark.png

Pretty good. Preeettttyyyyy prrreeettyyyy pretty good.

Masopust should have a stadium named after him though.

Absolutely. There were other ''Legends'' on the game for Dukla that the game could've picked for the stadium. One was a simple defensive midfielder that played for me in the Second Division. If the game would've picked him it would've ruined the freakin' game for me. Phew..

Anyway, in the summer I couldn't really attract players to the club that would add a great deal. I have to rely on the development of my young players, but I'm afraid they won't be able to challenge Sparta on a consistent basis for the title until Masopust Park.

I was able to add two more talents: Ensar Baykan from Bielefeld and Akif Kara from Ankaragucu. Akif Kara is 196cm tall and 91kg heavy and has great technique. Hopefully he'll be able to develop into a Zlatan type player, though too bad about his 5 for finishing and he'll need to develop his strength. Then he could really be a great weapon.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5514/ensarbaykan.png
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1267/akifkara.png


S U P E R D U K L A

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3336/supercupk.png


E U R O P A ! ! !

As you can see I won the 3rd Qualifying round on a total fluke own goal by a Dinamo defender IN THE 94TH MINUTE. (H)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3261/dinamogame1.png
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3610/dinamogame2.png

I will face FC Koln in the 4th round.

It was close, but in the end FC Koln proved to be too strong. At least Dukla gave them a battle.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8315/koln1.png
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3738/koln2.png

(The yellow card bug struck again)


Tomas Pekhart also got a call-up to the Czech Republic out of his goals. He's having a break-out year so far.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2563/pekhartinternational.png

I went on an incredible streak with a lot of talents having break-out years.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7457/results0.png


Herbstmeister.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2166/wintertable.png

Pretty good.

What are you doing playing in the FA Cup? (H)

Incredible streak! Steaking! Nakedness! Steak! Filet Mignon! Chateux Brione! Anal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111 1111111111

The year has ended, and what a year it was. I won another FA Cup fairly easy this time:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/3885/cupfinal.png


THE FINAL MATCHDAY

What I truly wanted was the title. I was in first place for most of the season, but after a loss vs. Bohemians 1905 I was caught by Sparta Prague on goal difference (head-to-head was a draw). Sparta Prague won 8 games straight at the time the 30th matchday arrived:

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/830/onegametogo.png


I could only win the Championship if Sparta Prague would drop points at home vs. 3rd placed team Viktoria, and I would win away at Jablonec. I did my part.

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/8060/didmypart.png


But so did Sparta Prague. :(

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/5905/schermafbeelding2010121.png


THE HORRORRRRRR!!!

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7973/leaguetablef.png


Though I was happy the way my team performed. Pekhart finished as topscorer and Alan Patrick had most assists and was named Player of the year. Young right winger Antonin Fantis won Young Player of the Year, and quite some players were in the Team of the Year.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8074/pekhart.png
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1506/patrik.png
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1416/award1g.png
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/4678/teamoftheyear.png

Hopefully next year my best players will stick around, though every player is wanted by at least 10 decent top division clubs from France, Germany and England. Same case last year, but no club actually made an offer.

Another shot at the title, another shot to reach the group stages of the Europa League. Though I may look around for job openings...

2013/2014 End of Season Review

I started the season by winning my second Super Cup vs. Sparta Prague.

Unfortunately my second Europa League adventure would end very quickly. After two 0-0 draws Rio Ave beat me on penalties.

I then had an unbeaten season (except for the loss on penalties vs. Rio Ave) and won my third FA Cup in a row vs. a Cinderella team from the lower divisions: 7-0. Thanks for playing, though.

Akif Kara especially had a break-out season with 17 goals and 12 assists in the league, and a further 6 goals and 5 assists in the FA Cup. Beast.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6526/schermafbeelding2010121u.png

He especially improved on his strength, which makes him unstoppable for Czech defenses. He regularly just walks the ball into the goal after dribbling past 5 men. Think of Zlatan vs. NAC. Epic.


http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4158/seizoenshelft1.png
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9448/seizoenshelft2.png

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7369/schermafbeelding2010121r.png

League champions for the first time, and how! (Y) Also, in 2014/2015, the first year in Masopust Park...

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/images/aug_08/gun__1219930181_champions_league_beams.jpg

Champions League on the horizon for Dukla.


2014/2015

I was able to hold on to all of my major talents, and added one more noteworthy talent:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1860/hrcka.png

I won my third Super Cup in a row vs. Sparta Prague (this is getting easy).

In the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Champions League I beat the Northern Irish club Linfield. Basel was next in the 3rd round.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4517/basel1.png
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9821/schermafbeelding2010121y.png

I will face Norwegian club Molde in the final Playoffs before the Group Stages. I'm optimistic. :-)

A striker with 6 for Finishing. 8|

I know, I bought him on his sheer power and height, and that's how he scores his goals. My second striker Tomas Pekhart does have great finishing skills, but lacks Kara's physical strength. Unfortunately Dukla Prague's not going to get a striker with perfect fininishing, technique, positioning, off-the-ball skills, dribbling, strength AND height. I'm fishing in a small pond here, hehe.


Akif made another RED HOT start to the year. It's the end of August and he already has 13 goals.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/4456/karaendofaugust.png


Molde, meanwhile, was beaten easily 4-1 on agg to advance to the Group Stages. 7M euros can be transfered to Dukla's bank account.

Then the draw...
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4251/clgroup.png

Not sure what to think of these games. It's nice to play them, but damn.

I'm just going ahead with these updates...

The Champions League adventure was cruel, but I feel I could've drawn some of the games I lost and won the away games at Arsenal and Roma. On both occassions I was in the lead but lost the games by dumb personal mistakes. Winning either of these games would've been massive. Oh well.

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7079/33354160.png

The most memorable goal of the season came from the feet of Jozef Hrcka at the Emirates. He cooly avoided the reckless challenge of Martin Caceres... AND GET IN.
sJS1MDAcRsE


Akif Kara kept developing and became Gambrinus' Liga most feared player and a Turkish International.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5365/karaattributes.png

He could not be stopped and 2014/2015 was his year.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6558/karastats.png

His performances did not go unnoticed in Europe...

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/6278/interest.png


Meanwhile, I won my second Czech First Division title. Absolute domination.

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6084/league.png

The year's starting 11. Tesar, Flavinho, Hejda, Patrick and Kara made it to the Team of the Year. Pablo Sarabia, on loan form Lazio, Fantis, Navratil and Heidenreich made it to the subs. All performed exceptionally well, and most of them are at Dukla from the very first year in the First Division. Great development and some have more developing to do, though I'm not sure this can be achieved at Dukla.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4660/teamzs.png


The first year in Masopust Park was a good one.

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/3972/masopustpark.jpg
(This random artist rendering of a new French stadium matches my fantasy of the new stadium. From a far one of the teams jerseys look like Dukla too! ... yeah, I got nothing going on)

It's now the year 2015 and so far I've won 2 First Division titles, 3 FA Cups and 3 Czech Super Cups. Is all conquered? Or is there more to gain at this club?

I would love to see you try to take Dukla and the Czech league to the top of the European pyramid of power, since it is theoritcally possible in this game. Journeyman games, especially ones in which you don't start as an actual journeyman, aren't as interesting as that.

That's true. Like the Chelmsford save it wouldn't make sense to change clubs after coming such a long way. I may aswell go for it now.

That said though, I'm afraid you got to have a lot of patience before you can break into the European top and win the CL or anything as a club from a minor league. It's always been that way in FM. Chances are you'll get bored with the Czech league way before then.

Yeah, I'm afraid I'm already bored with the Czech league. Unfortunately I'm also already kicked out of the 2015/2016 Champions League by Wisla Krakow on away goals.

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5246/champsleague.png

Maybe it's a good thing, because the Europa League may be more suited for Dukla. But after seeing this group...

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/5213/europaleague.png

I bought two more players I'm really excited about. I'm most excited about my new winger Cortez. He's small, but speedy.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9439/cortezs.png

And he rejected some obscure Spanish teams to join me..... It's unbelievable.

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4356/spanishteams.png


I also bought Robinho. Yeah, not that one. He's a great passer so I'll play him as a Ball-Playing Defender to launch counter attacks. With the speed and strength of Kara down the middle and the pace of Cortez on the wings it could be pretty pretty good.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2817/schermafbeelding2010122.png


I don't know, I don't think I'll turn this into a journeyman save, but I may think about a new challenge in a new save. I'll see how I'll fare in the Europa League. I'm pretty excited about how this team could develop.

Wow, Robinho is way too good for the Czech league. And I'm stunned that you can afford those wages.

Yep, though my three top earners (Cortez, Robinho and Alan Patrick) take up 30% of my overall wage total (750k per month). I asked the board for extra wage funds to get Cortez and Robinho and they gave in. First year I'm topping Sparta Prague probably.

10 heading and 11 jumping ain't too good for a central defender. I wouldn't play him against tall strikers. Plus his mental stats are a bit low (though given his age, he might develop those as the game goes on).

Yep, though my three top earners (Cortez, Robinho and Alan Patrick) take up 30% of my overall wage total (750k per month). I asked the board for extra wage funds to get Cortez and Robinho and they gave in. First year I'm topping Sparta Prague probably.

Oh, hahaha, I thought those were per week. Okay, it's a little more understandable then.

Dukla Prague, 2015-2016
One of my greatest European runs of all time. (Forget about the Czech League and F.A. Cup.)

In the Group Stages of the Europa League I faced Palermo, Werder Bremen and Hapoel Tel Aviv. I drew my games vs. Palermo and Tel Aviv, but won my 2 games vs. Werder Bremen (1-3 away, 3-0 at home). My greatest European wins up until then...

Europa League Group Standings:
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7467/groupstages.png


First Knock Out Round - Girondins de Bordeaux:
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/3281/bordeaux1.png
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2359/bordeaux2.png


Second Knock Out Round - Valencia C.F.:
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2933/valencia1.png
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1438/valencia2o.png


Quarter Final - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim:
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9774/hoffenheim1.png
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2841/hoffenheim2.png


Semi Final - AS Roma:
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6981/roma1.png
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6779/roma2.png


And then... Behold, Filipower! I can still hardly believe it...

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9312/portofinal.png

F.C. PORTO shall be waiting in the final for F.K. DUKLA PRAHA. It promises to be an EPIC of EPIC EPICNESS.

It's Hapoel Tel Aviv. There's also Maccabi Tel-Aviv, but there's no Haccabi Tel-Aviv.

Whoops, slight mix-up there.

xoHECVnQC7A http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/eduwonkette/upload/2008/07/extra-extra.gif

''EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! DUKLA'S BOYS CONQUER VIENNA AND THE FIRST EUROPEAN CUP IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY!''

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2537/czechfootballmessenger.png

UEFA Europa League Final 2015/ 2016:

Line-Ups:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2898/lineupsy.png

The game was dubbed as the battle of two giants: THE HULK vs. THE TURK. I decided to play in my usual attacking line up as that bluff got me this far in the first place.

FC Porto dominated much of the first half, but our now legendary goalkeeper Petr Tesar kept us in the game with the most wonderful saves. In the 67th minute I finally made it to Porto's penalty area... And Jozef Hrcka was promptly hacked down by a Porto defender; PENALTY! Dutch midfielder Ksao Gezaw cooly finished.

JQ62VlSbvhE

Porto kept attacking, but still could not get it past TESAR... FC Porto seemed to lose hope and they were leaving us a lot of space in defense.

''... GEZAW! TO AKIF! TO CORTEZ! GOOOOLLLL!!! 0-2!!!''

LZIbUPHdyBI

FC Porto pegged one back, but it was too late. The referee whistles for full time! DUKLA PRAHA WIN THE UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE!

Petr Tesar, dressed in all black recalling ''The Black Spider'' Lev Yashin, was named Man of the Match. A performance for the ages.

http://www.toffs.com/content/ebiz/toffs/images/6009yb.gif

Result & Match Statistics:
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1789/finalresult.png
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/5628/matchstats.png

Pretty good. Preettyyyy, preetttyyyy, pretty good.

Wow, congratulations! That's a great performance. You knocked out some pretty heavy opponents.

**** you :(


Nah man congrats (H)

Any thoughts on the DLR after this success?

It doesn't seem to have any influence. The Czech first division is still on two and a halve stars in the new season (on par with Colombia, Tunisia, Serie B and Ligue 2 to name a few). First Divisions from nations like Poland, Austria and Israel have 3 stars, so I'm not sure what the deal is.

You have to be consistent. Teams like Steaua and Red Star also won the Champions Cup and you didn't see the best players in the world all of a sudden rushing to the Romanian and Serbian leagues...

I recently read that it takes two seasons for a chance in coefficients to affect reputation, so keep winning stuff.

Don't other Czech clubs also need to be succesful too, before the reputation of a league increases? And as said, you also need to perform consistently.

I've dragged a nation's coefficient up all by myself in the past.

Yeah, but we're talking about league reputation, which is still a grey area.

I assume they must be related or strongly correlated.

Yeah, but still not the same thing.

I get it now... Just win! The coefficients I gained for the Czech league did result in an extra Champions League Qualification spot for the 2017/2018 season. The Czech champion plays in the ''Champions'' qualification round, and the second placed team plays in the ''Best Placed'' qualification round (which is a lot harder with teams from England, Spain, etc.). It can only help.

Champions League 2016/2017 Qualification:
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1403/clkwalificatie.png

Group:
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8039/clgroep.png

Cruel... It'd be a miracle to qualify from this group. I wouldn't mind 3rd place to have a chance at making another run in the Europa League.

UEFA Super Cup 2016:
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1921/supercup.png

I didn't stand a chance in this one. Arsenal dominated the entire game easily, even with 10 men. My strongest player Akif Kara was also out injured and my forward line couldn't finish the few chances they created. A rather casual win for the Gunners. Meh.

This youngster popped up in my youth team. He made his debut in Czech Republic's U21 team shortly after turning 15, and already caught the attention of European top teams. Incredible prospect.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9237/kocourek.png


Champions League Group Stages 2016/2017:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3217/onefenerbahce.png
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3549/tworealmadrid.png
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2682/threechelsea.png
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2465/fourchelsea.png
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6428/fivefenerbahce.png
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/728/sixrealmadrid.png

Final Standings:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1433/groupfinalstandings.png

Great wins versus Fenerbahce. Would've been even greater had I won at Bernabeu, despite Real Madrid's domination. I was super close to a win with Akif Kara one on one with Casillas in the final seconds of the game, but he f*cked up. Europa League it is. My first opponent will be Belgian side A.A. Gent.

Akif Kara's memorable goal at the Bernabeu:
ZEw1lue2eEQ

Europa League 2016/2017:

First Knock Out Round - AA Gent:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1350/gent1.png
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/7873/gent2.png

Second Knock Out Round - Galatasaray:
http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/7427/galatasaray1.png
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7933/galatasaray2.png

Quarter Final - Olympique Lyon:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6366/lyon1g.png

Up until the loss in Lyon, I was cruising through the tournament. Thankfully Hugo Lloris' blunder allowed me a great chance to qualify for the Semi Final..... I was looking towards the one man I trusted to elimate Olympique Lyonnais: AKIF KARA. (Now start the Superman video)
Akif browses the field, giving the Lyon defenders intimidating looks, and waiting for the right moment to tell an obviously inferior teammate to pass him the ball... Dukla is in possession in midfield... Stilic has the ball... AKIF SEES AN OPPORTUNITY! HE MOVES!!! ''SACRE BLEU!!'' yell the Lyon defenders!! Stilic dribbles! HE SEES AKIF! HE PASSES HIM THE BALL!! ''NON!!! INCROYABLE!!'' yell the Lyon defenders!! (Start the Akif Kara video at around 43 seconds into the Superman theme for the intended effect (Y))

e9vrfEoc8_gM4F1jCGWAnk

Fatal hit. Knock Out Lyon. (H)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9651/lyon2x.png

So yeah, Dukla Praha marches on. (H)

Back to Back Europa League victories would be awesome.

Semi Final - Liverpool:
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1861/liverpool1b.png
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/6348/anfieldmatchstats.png

This has to be one of the most effective teams I've ever assembled. They're especially great on counter attacks with the passing abilities of Robinho, Hrcka and Stilic, the speed of Walter Cortez and the devestation of Akif Kara. It's really fun to watch.

All goals from Anfield Road:
KjV45Smdm3c

Second leg (a formality):
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7994/liverpool2.png


And so Dukla Prague advances to its second straight Europa League Final, set in our hometown Amsterdam, Zlatan. There I'll defend my trophy facing the club I despise the most: F.C. Internazionale. Perfect, just perfect. (H)

http://www.highprofile.nl/images/dynamic/bedrijven/378/480-Amsterdam-Arena-02.jpg

Please demolish Merda. Do it for us and the Juve nation.

Europa League Final 2017: F.K. Dukla Praha - F.C. Internazionale Milano

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Trophy/UEFAEuropaLeague/UEFAEuropaLeague1.jpgBoUDthyy0Nk

Line-Ups:
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/275/dukla.jpghttp://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2200/interwd.jpg

Two changes in Dukla's line-up compared to last year's final: Dutch midfielder Ksao Gezaw misses the final through suspension, Semir Stilic is his replacement. Tomas Kalas is a new face in defense for Dukla this season, he replaces Lukas Hejda in the starting line-up.

Inter's biggest threats are obviously Paulo ''Ganso'' Henrique and Javier Pastore, two of the best players in the game. I wasn't very impressed with the rest of their team.

The game was very balanced from the start and not very spectacular. Unfortunately Inter took the lead in the first half when Javier Pastore scored an unlikely powerful header from quite a distance.

After 15 minutes in the second half Semir Stilic equalized with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Ofkj_e0Irs0

This one looked like it was heading for overtime.... But in the 93rd (!!!) minute Walter Cortez broke free from the Inter defenders and delived a cross to whom else but...... AKIF KARA!!!

-K4YDdiDwWA

GOOOOLLLLL!!! :33vff3o: .... And that capped another incredible Cup run, with some of the most memorable goals in my FM career. Back to back, b*tches. (H)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1789/finalresult.png
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8854/finalstats.png


Dynamic League Reputation:
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6085/dynamicleaguerep.png
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4987/dynamicleaguerep2.png

My back to back Europa League victories have effect: from 29th to 18th, and the third full star for the Czech First Division. It's great motivation to keep this going. There's plenty more to gain, and I wonder what effect it has on the other Czech clubs. Time to found out. (Y)

Nicely done. (Y)

Just out of curiosity, how's the Norwegian league ranked?

Fantastic man been loving your game. Just wish I had the time to put in so much passion in mine; maybe when my exams are over I can manage to pick my challenge and have a real go like you do here (Y)

Nicely done. (Y)

Just out of curiosity, how's the Norwegian league ranked?
Can't find the competition rankings (only when I get the news in my inbox), but Norway is on two and a halve stars.

I had some marathon Dukla sessions the last couple of days, but forgot to update (I'm so terribly sorry!!! ;)), but here's a summary.

In the summer of 2017 I made my biggest signing so far: Marko Arnautovic. He played as an Inside Forward alongside Walter Cortez and Akif Kara, which makes for a pretty mean, technical offense. However, I again failed to qualify from the Champions League Group Stages. Same scenario as last year; a win at Santiago Bernabeu would see me go through, but I couldn't pull it off.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4194/cl2017.png

Europa League it is. I had a good start knocking out Celtic and Bursaspor, but Barcelona and Messi (Nine World Player of the Year awards in a row) proved to be too much.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7893/europa2017.png

Coming up: FK Dukla Praha, 2018/2019... and I can tell, it was special. (H)

2018/2019 Champions League
... with video highlights of all my legendary games. (Y) (too bad FM doesn't have FIFA 11 graphics, that'd be pretty epic.)

Group Stages:
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3239/cl2018.png

First Knockout Round - Arsenal - First Leg:
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/6035/arsenal1p.png

First Knockout Round - Arsenal - Second Leg:
AD9XnLyL2K4

Quarter Final - Chelsea - First Leg:
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/1113/chelsea1t.png

Quarter Final - Chelsea - Second Leg:
D-FCEY3i8Ss

SUPER AKIF x 3! :33vff3o::33vff3o::33vff3o:

Semi Final - Bayer Leverkusen - First Leg:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7950/leverkusen1.png

Semi Final - Bayer Leverkusen - Second Leg:
zt92edfp6sQ

ANDIAMO A TORINO, ANDIAMO A TORINO!!! That's where the Champions League Final 2018/2019 is played in the new stadium of Juventus. (H) What are the odds? Best. FM. Game. Ever.

Oh, yeah, the opponent: AS Roma. Can't let them win the Champions League in Juventus' house, right?

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6798/torinofinale.jpg

2019 UEFA Champions League Final: F.K. Dukla Praha - A.S. Roma
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GAlqNa3Yrzg/THacMsHBScI/AAAAAAAAATk/JMOMDZwa9e8/s1600/champions-league-trophy.jpg

Line-Ups:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3927/romafinal.pnghttp://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1872/duklafinal.png

Few changes compared to the Europa League winning sides: Ozgur Arslan left for Hercules in 2018, Georgian back Kakhaber Mujiri is his replacement. Alan Patrick misses the game through injury, Josef Husbauer his replacement. Husbauer also played in most Knock Out rounds in place of Patrick and did a phenomenal job.


4uAWO0cG4nY

The winning goal in the final minutes of the game is one I've seen so many times before. Cortez going down the sideline with his lightning speed, then the cross, and Akif Kara powering it in to complete his legendary hattrick! Did that ever happen in a real life CL final? I don't think so. CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!

[Edit - Puskas and Di Stefano scored a hattrick in the 1960 Champions League Final. Akif Kara is now one of them. (H)]

This is also the second European Final decided by Cortez-Kara. In the 2017 Europa League Final vs. Inter the final scoring play was nearly identical, also in the final minutes of the game. Stuff of legends.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8337/championsleagueresult.png
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8136/finalstatsp.png

So I won the Champions League in my ninth season. Obviously the sugar daddy made it easier for me and FM purists will probably sniff at this (though I'm still not fishing in the same pool of players as the bigger nations), but I don't care. Dukla Prague is going for the World Cup in the tenth season. (H) After that I may look for a new challenge as I'm getting seriously bored with the Czech Republic; I'm already playing the Czech league games on high speed and ''only commentary'' (as I hate going on holiday)... It's not fun.

Anyway, pretty good. Prettaaay, prettaayyy good. (Y)

Aww man, I wanted to see the Czech league become the best league in the world.

Wow, amazing performance!

Too bad you're quitting, but to be honest I'm surprised you held out for so long. I would've gotten bored with the Czech league way earlier.

Looking back at this thread I've talked about a new challenge multiple times, but ended up playing with Dukla again. It's another half a year before FM12 comes out, so I bet by that time the Czech league will be the strongest in the world. (Y)

Lol lol lol

And Dukla it is.... again. I'll have to accept that Dukla and I can't be seperated in this game.

In the summer of 2019 Arnautovic left, and I signed this player for the right wing. Because of the European success I was able to move up my wage scale, which enabled me to get this guy and hang on to Robinho and Walter Cortez. Cortez-Ferreira-Kara will head our Champions League title defense.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4047/ferreira.png

Champions League 2019/2020:
For the first time I won my group (Valencia, Fenerbahce, AIK) and I won it convincingly. Blow out wins vs. AIK and Fenerbahce, and won and drew vs. Valencia.

1/8 - Chelsea... I'm playing them every year!
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/8279/chelsea1.png
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9973/chelsea2h.png

1/4 - Valencia
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/2933/valencia1.png
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8752/valencia2.png

1/2 - Manchester United
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/3537/manu1.png
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/1233/manu2.png

Beaten by Rasmus Elm... bleh. Nonetheless, another great run in the Champions League.

Dukla Prague's reputation is through the roof, but after 10 years, 2 Europa League titles and 1 Champions League title (and a semi final) the Czech league is still on three stars, albeit around the top of the 3 star leagues. I think I'm 13th on the overall league ranking now. I believe Dukla will get the Czech league to three and a halve stars soon (on level with Ukraine, Russia, Portugal) but I also believe other Czech clubs will need to step up to make the final leap into the top leagues of Europe. It's a loonggg term thing for sure...

In the summer of 2020 I was able to make my biggest signing so far: Saul Marinelli from Sporting Gijon. An Argentinian international and absolutely one of the best midfielders in the game. The wage scale keeps moving up and up, and top talents are now excited to play for such an ''illustrous'' club. (H)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/590/saul.png

I also got this kid from Brazil. One of the best defensive talents in the game.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2022/marcelow.png

Holy sh*t. Some of the best players I've seen in FM, ever. It'd be a shame not to manage them, but it sure won't be at Dukla. :(

(200 PA)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/883/paccor.png

(PA in the 190's)
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/6414/herrera.png

I only just now realize how incredibly fast my team is. Usually I'm playing one notch above medium game speed, but it wasn't the game's setting after all...

Leftback Miroslav Praznovsky: Acceleration 16, Pace 19
Centreback Tomas Kalas: Acceleration 17, Pace 17
Centreback Robinho: Acceleration 17, Pace 18
Rightback Kakhaber Mujiri: Acceleration 20, Pace 19

Defensive midfielder Jozef Hrcka: Acceleration 17, Pace 17
Center midfielder Ksao Gezaw: Acceleration 20, Pace 20
Center midfielder Saul Marinelli: Acceleration 19, Pace 20

Left winger Walter Cortez: Acceleration 17, Pace 19
Right winger Diego Ferreira: Acceleration 17, Pace 15
Striker Akif Kara: Acceleration 15, Pace 17 (he's 1.96m)

This is the fastest team ever! All have great balance and agility aswell. There are some great passers on the team, which makes for devestating counter attacks. They remind me of the real life Arsenal. I can't remember a team scoring against me on a counter attack either, 'cause my guys are hauling their attackers in within 2 seconds. I want to say this is what I always had in mind for Dukla... It all fell together quite beautifully, that's for sure. (H)

Walter Cortez: 2020 World Player of the Year, with an average rating of 8.01 in the calender year. (H) Legend. Absolutely one of my favorite achiements so far.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4149/58975298.png
(You can see Cristiano Ronaldo's reflection in the Ballon d'Or... spooky)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/981/91120540.png
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4144/worldplayer.png

Robinho joins him in the World Team of the Year. Akif Kara finished third in the Best Striker of the Year award, and Cortez suprisingly finished second in the Best Midfielder of the Year awards. That award went to Jack Wilshire.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1273/worldteam.png

I also became manager of the Czech national team. The Czech Rep finished as runner-ups at the 2020 European Championships with stars Vaclav Kadlec, Adam Hlousek, the naturalized Alan Patrick and Dukla's Czech Champions League winners (mostly defenders) at the peak of their careers. The stars will be joined by Dukla Prague's best Czech young talents in the World Cup qualifying campaign, though the regens aren't quite as good as the (before mentioned) Czech talents at the start of the game. World Cup 2022 will be interesting.

I also have a problem... My contract at Dukla runs out in the summer of 2021 and the chairman offered me a contract so low I can't accept it... literally. The game won't let me. I tried to negotiate but the chairman won't offer me the minimum I can accept. It's really strange.

Champions League 2020/2021

Advanced from the Group Stages ahead of Olympique Marseille, Dynamo Kiev and Unirea from Romania. Three wins (vs. OM, 2 x vs. Unirea) and three draws.

1/8 - Manchester City:
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2150/city1o.png
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6539/city2q.png

1/4 - Olympique Marseille:
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1051/om1.png
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9226/om2h.png

1/2 - Atletico Madrid:
http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/5034/atletico1.png
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/410/atletico2.png

Diego Ferreira's goals vs. Atletico in his best game for Dukla yet, replacing the suspended Walter Cortez on the left wing.

VPaRU_lM578

And so Dukla advances to its second Champions League final in three years. The final will be against Manchester United, Man U's second straight final. They lost the previous one vs. Atletico Madrid. The 2021 final will be played in Olympique Lyon's new stadium; OL Land.

http://www.linternaute.com/sport/magazine/photo/visitez-ol-land/image/1-sport-magazine-262468.jpg

2021 UEFA Champions League Final: Dukla Praha - Manchester United

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5563/championsleague2021.png

Line-ups:
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/7901/lineups.png

Four changes in Dukla's line-up compared to the 2019 final: Rodrigo Varela replaced Petr Tesar (who is now Varela's back-up), Miroslav Praznovsky is Jakub Heidenreich's replacement (also a back-up), Saul Marinelli instead of Alan Patrick (back-up) and Diego Ferreira is on the right wing instead of Marko Arnautovic (who is now playing in Serie A).

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1789/finalresult.png
http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/8854/finalstats.png

And that's number two for Dukla. (H)

http://www.omaghmusc.co.uk/champions%20league%20trophy.jpghttp://www.omaghmusc.co.uk/champions%20league%20trophy.jpg

The Czech league is still on three stars, below Ukraine, Portugal and the likes. A guy at The Dugout is having a similar game with Steaua Bucharest and won even more Champions Leagues, but the Romanian league is also stuck at three stars. There's only so much one club's UEFA coefficients and reputation can do for a league. Perhaps a way was to give a bunch of other Czech clubs a sugar daddy aswell, because as it stands they're not doing anything in Europe, their reputation won't increase and they will keep holding back the Czech league. Sucks.

Olympique Lyon Land?

Sounds like Euro Disney.

And I can't believe those ****s played a 4-4-2. How arrogant can you get?

http://www.santosfc.com.br/futebol/elenco/jogador.asp?i=15

Looks nice though

http://www.grandstadeol.com/

And like all sporting arenas, it is designed by Populous.

http://www.santosfc.com.br/futebol/elenco/jogador.asp?i=15
I looked up some vids of him on YouTube and it's incredible how accurate his game is on FM. Cool stuff.

E6s3TeuokZ4 3U2Qj_fjd-Q

I hope these footballers google themselves and somehow end up in this thread. Alan Patrick, Jan Navratil, Tomas Horava, Martin Sus, Lubomir Kubica, Milos Bosancic, Jakub Heidenreich, Antonin Fantis, Tomas Pekhart, Vaclav Prochazka, Semir Stilic and Josef Husbauer... You all had a role to play in the rise of Dukla Prague, and Sports Interactive is usually very reliable in their valuations of players, but please don't get your hopes up. You are however free to print these screenshots and gloat about them in your locker rooms at Santos, Sparta Prague, Banik Ostrava, etc.! All the best to all of you out there and holla at your Dukla manager if you're reading this! That also counts for all people named Walter Cortez or Akif Kara!!

Yeah... Anyway...... I thought this was quite remarkable:

Akif Kara in 2012:
http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/3572/akif1.png

Akif Kara in 2021:
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2792/akif2.png

Nine years of Dukla Prague: 314 apps, 273 goals, av. rating of 7.67. Quite a career.


Edit - Probably the coolest name of all regens so far (and a 195 PA)...

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5324/lilgarrincha.png

Lil' Garrincha. He's actually quite the opposite of Garrincha: he's much taller, he's white and he's on the other side of the field. Maybe one leg is shorter than the other, and that's why he reminded his hometown people of Garrincha.

Lil' Garrincha. He's actually quite the opposite of Garrincha: he's much taller, he's white and he's on the other side of the field. Maybe one leg is shorter than the other, and that's why he reminded his hometown people of Garrincha.

Thought this was funny.

2021/2022:

At the start of the season I signed Czech national team stars Vaclav Kadlec from Inter and Adam Hlousek from Chelsea. Both were demoted to a bench role (Kadlec was even put in Inter's reserves) and I couldn't risk them not playing the season before World Cup 2022 (I'm also Czech Rep's NT manager). I figured I'd give Hlousek-Kadlec most playing time in the Czech league, and I'd save Cortez-Kara for the Champions League.

I forgot to mention I made my most expensive signing in January 2021: Ron Menting from Benfica. He's one of the best midfielders and potentially THE best midfielder in the game. He couldn't play in Dukla's CL winning campaign last year, so this year would be the first he could make an important impact. He'd make a Xavi-Iniesta-like tandem with Saul Marinelli in midfield, which I was very excited about, however..... My chairman sold him to Barcelona after only 6 months at Dukla. I didn't give a damn about the money as I wasn't able to buy anyone back with his quality anyway. I was pretty pissed off about that.

(This screenshot is from September 2022... Look at his damn wages at Barca)
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/7415/menting.png

The first part of the season was very disappointing, and I suffered imporant losses in the Champions League group stage vs Everton and Olympique Lyon. Akif Kara and several other starters also suffered long term injuries and I couldn't make up the losses anymore. I finished third and had to prepare myself for the Europa League.

The Europa League campaign started off great: I beat Metalist Kharkiv, Besiktas and Hercules en route to a third year straight face-off with Manchester United; now in the Semi-Finals of the Europa League.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9746/manu1zw.png

There was a glimmer of hope because of the early away goal, but sadly Saul Marinelli, Ksao Gezaw and Walter Cortez would be suspended for the home game, and that cost me in the end. Garrinchinha scored his first European goal for Dukla Praha, but Manchester United pretty much kept control through-out the game.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/1233/manu2.png

K.O.

------------------------------------------------

A very positive note: the Czech First Division gained in reputation!

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/945/fourandahalvestars.png

It's now on par with the Dutch Eredivisie, Russia, Ukraine and Portugal. If the league makes it to 4 stars, it'll be on par with La Liga, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. Nice, huh?

------------------------------------------------

In the summer of 2022 I decided to sell Akif Kara to Hoffenheim (he rejected Juve and Liverpool). He'll turn 30 this year and this was the final year I could get a large transfer sum for him. I also wanted to keep the game interesting and test some new strikers.

... I do regret it a little bit. It was a bit of an impulse sell at the end of a Dukla gaming session, and I feel should've perhaps waited until the next time I opened up the game for a clearer decision. But what's done is done.


Akif Kara - 10 years of Dukla Prague (2012-2022)

339 matches, 297 goals, av. rating of 7.68.

Palmares:
2 x UEFA Champions League
2 x UEFA Europa League
2 x UEFA Super Cup
2 x FIFA Club World Cup
9 x Czech First Division
8 x Czech F.A. Cup
10 x Czech Super Cup

His best goals:

At Santiago Bernabeu:
ZEw1lue2eEQ

Akif Kara's stunning goal at Stade Gerland on the road to Dukla's second Europa League final:
M4F1jCGWAnk

Akif's last minute goal vs. Internazionale in the 2017 Europa League final, assisted by Walter Cortez. Best tandem ever. (Every right winger I've had must've been pretty pissed off about that, hehe.)
-K4YDdiDwWA

His hattrick vs. Chelsea in the Quarter-Finals of the 2019 Champions League.
D-FCEY3i8Ss

And his most legendary hattrick, and perhaps my favorite performance of any striker I've ever had: the 2019 Champions League final against AS Roma. He capped off the hattrick by scoring the 3-2 winner in the final minutes of the game, assisted by whom else but Walter Cortez (like the 2017 Europa League winning goal).
4uAWO0cG4nY

Farewell, Akif. :(

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/4746/paniniakif.png

Dude, I love you (H)

World Cup 2022

The Czech Republic XI
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/3083/worldcup2022lineup.png

8 Dukla players in the starting line-up: Tesar, Heidenreich, Kalas, Dusek, Kocourek, Alan Patrick, Hlousek and Kadlec. Most of them are bench players at Dukla, but still get a lot of playing time in the Czech league. The team pretty much has the same dynamics as Dukla, and I'm using the same tactic I use at Dukla. Martin Kolar is also a youth product of Dukla, but Dukla's owner sold him to Porto in the summer of 2021. Asshole.

We were handed a pretty easy group: World Cup hosts Australia, Ghana and Colombia.

wiJgTFmF9Zo

Colombia:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5834/onecolombia.png

Australia:
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/2218/twoaustralia.png

Ghana:
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/544/threeghana.png

Group standings:
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/1185/grouptable.png

Second Round:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5161/fourfrance.png

Quarter-Final:
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/7959/fiveitalia.png

http://sp6.fotolog.com/photo/22/41/100/ulii_dragonballz/1284909541899_f.jpg

We couldn't really go for the 1-1 after Kocourek's red card right before half time. Italy played it out pretty easily in the second half, and the were more chances for their second goal than a Czech equalizer. Kocourek, you zkurvysyn!!!
Pretty good tournament from the Czechs, anyway. I mean, the stars of this team sit on the bench at Dukla Prague... The people of the Czech Republic can be proud of their kokots.


How the World Cup further played out:

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6219/worldcupoverview.png

http://www.westernesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/GreekFlag.jpg

Greece - 2022 World Champions (Wait, whut?!)

Hahahhahaha. GREECE!!

Too bad for Kadlec, I thought he was going to pull a Jairzinho there.

Dukla Prague 2022/2023

After Akif's departure, I wasn't in much doubt over who'd be Dukla's striker this season: Vaclav Kadlec. Backing up Akif the season before, he had an excellent campaign, even outshining Akif from time to time (though Akif was injured a lot). He finished as top scorer for Dukla in 21/22 both in in the Czech league and the European leagues, and on top of that he had an excellent World Cup, the final proof he could still perform at a world class level. I did buy a long term replacement, Farid Raffalli:

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5885/raffalli.png
(This screenshot is from September 2023)


Champions League 2022/2023

… and Vaclav Kadlec was immediately out to prove to Dukla's faithful he's a worthy replacement of Akif Kara.

OXrG5pHcqQc

Group Standings
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/1553/groupstage.png

First Knockout Round - JUVENTUS - Game 1
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5743/juventus1.png

First Knockout Round - JUVENTUS - Game 2
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/461/juventus2e.png

Thrilling final minutes of the game with Diego Ferreira botching a penalty in the 92nd minute of the match. Thankfully we were the lucky side in this encounter, anyway.

Quarter-Final - REAL MADRID - Game 1
http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6566/madrid1.png

Quarter-Final - REAL MADRID - Game 2
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/719/madrid2v.png

I thought I was on my way to another final when I drew Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, but it wasn't meant to be.

Semi-Final - ATLETICO MADRID - Game 1
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3364/atletico1v.png

Semi-Final - ATLETICO MADRID - Game 2
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/410/atletico2.png

Atletico Madrid went on to lose the final vs. A.C. Milan.

------------------------------------

At the start of the new season the Czech league reputation dropped back to three stars again. The league's reputation surely isn't holding me back from competing in Europe, so screw it.

I'm also starting to think Dukla's owner is pissed off at me for rejecting hundreds of offers over the last 10 years. He accepted an offer from Chelsea for my Slovakian deep-lying playmaker and nine-year Dukla veteran Jozef Hrcka. Hrcka is still only 27 and I'm now missing out on his prime. Hell, Chelsea's offer wasn't even special. This is now the fifth or sixth time he does this in the last couple of years, and they're players I really value aswell (Ron Menting was absolutely the most painful case). I guess in Hrcka's case it does give me an opportunity to look around a little bit and test out some new players whom are perhaps even more talented.

Robinho, Cortez, Ferreira, Marinelli... They won't be leavin'. Robinho is now selected to the World Team of the Year first XI three times in a row. Cortez was also selected three times, but made it to the starting XI only once, the year he won the Ballon D'Or and World Player of the Year award.

So yeah, Dukla Praha is pretty much still going strong. Glory, glory, Dukla Praha!

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/6322/paninicortez.pnghttp://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3751/paninirobinho.png

Halfway through 2023/2024, I'm going for my first perfect season (ever). Of course the Champions League will have higher priority, but so far my reserves have had no trouble versus Czech opponents. Yawn.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/6030/perfecth.png

Unbeaten in the Champions League aswell. Shame about that draw vs. City.

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9583/boringc.png


After the departure of Hrcka, I'm really pleased the way my new defensive midfielder Marin Makacha is playing. Only just turned 20. It wasn't such a bad idea of the chairman after all.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/7334/makacha.png

Then there is Igor Alarcon, the most exciting young player in my game. His second season as a full-time starter in all competitions. Last year he was a little disappointing in the Champions League, and he didn't seem comfortable, but not anymore! He's killing it this year besides Saul.

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/50/alarcon.png

And another midfielder I'm excited about: Martin Dusek. He broke through in Slavia Prague's first team when he was just 15. He transferred to Valencia the year after, played regularly there, and I got him aged 17. He's a natural on DM, MC, MR, AM & AMR and has been a valuable asset from day one. One of my favorite players in the squad.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3240/dusek.png



EDIT -

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/4047/ferreira.png

I think I rejected at least 5 offers from Juventus. They kept improving their offer, and then this happens... AGAIN. Diego Ferreira is the best right winger in the game, and absolutely pivotal for Dukla Prague to have another shot at the Champions League. Only had him for 4 1/2 years, and he's still only 22 years old. Damn it.

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1680/ferreira2.png

FML.

Maybe try upping their offer to astronomical amounts.

You're right, I should've negotiated to scare them away. All I did was reject but they kept coming back.

There wasn't a worthy replacement available on the market, so I decided to put Martin Dusek on the right wing for the remainder of the season... But then he got injured for 5 months. I'd have to play a young winger who seemed far from ready, or I'd have to change my formation to one without wingers, but where would that leave Cortez? I had no choice but to go with the young winger, and he's for real, though his mental attributes may not show it.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2846/vavra.png

In the league he has 13 apps, 7 goals and 11 asists with an average rating of 7.80. In the Champions League he played 7 games so far, scored 3 goals with 6 assists. Not bad, kid.

In the First Knockout Round of the Champions League I beat Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 overall. Bayern would be waiting for us in the Quarter-Final, my first encounter with them. The first game was at Masopust Park, and I thought their late away goal could hurt me a lot in the end.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8494/bayern1l.png

In a trademark brilliant counter attacking performance at the Allianz-Arena, Dukla exploited Bayern's defence. Bayern dominated possession, but we converted 6 of 8 clear cut chances on beautifully executed lightning fast attacks. Bayern never saw it coming! ''What the f*ck just happened?''

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/9411/bayern2.png
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7541/bayernstats.png

Chelsea will be waiting in the semi's.

My bid to perfection in the Czech league has sadly come to an end. Damn cheeky goal by Sparta Prague there in the final minutes. Dammit.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6439/damnq.png

I noticed I hadn't posted my Starting XI in a while, so here it is; the team that will go for a third Champions League title. Farid Raffalli is currently leading the CL goal scoring charts with 15 goals, a CL record.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9528/dukla.png

F.K. Dukla Praha - Chelsea F.C. - Semi Final of the 2023/2024 Champions League

First Leg - Masopust Park, Prague:
http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/5002/chelsea1l.png

Second Leg - Lampard Park, London:
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/3607/chelsea2b.png

Going up 0-2 at Lampard Park in the first 30 minutes, Dukla were never in danger of Chelsea coming back and scoring 4 goals. This Dukla Prague is terribly strong and has shown it can win in a variety of ways, this time showing they can defend, hold possession and dominate a game. Dukla were never in danger of losing this series.

The 2024 Champions League Final will be a rematch of the 2021 Final: Dukla Praha vs. Manchester United. This time the game will be played at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels, Belgium (formerly named the Heysel Stadium, the site of the '85 CL final and its great tragedy.)

http://www.hln.be/static/FOTO/pe/2/9/8/large_583568.jpg

Lampard Park (H)

IqZwgedukdkhttp://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/eduwonkette/upload/2008/07/extra-extra.gif

''Extra! Extra! Přečtěte si vše! Vítězství, vítězství Dukla Praha V Bruselu!''
(Hey, it's that kid again! It must be good news!)


2024 Champions League Final: F.K. Dukla Praha - Manchester United

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/4953/cllineups.png

It's been three years since our Champions League win vs. Manchester United in 2021, and only four changes have been made in Dukla's winning line-up since then: Makacha replaces Hrcka (now Chelsea), Alarcon replaces Gezaw (now Manchester City), Vavra replaces the recently departed Ferreira (Juve), and CL top scorer Raffalli replaces club legend Akif Kara (Hoffenheim). Unfortunately Dukla's defensive leader and starting point of Dukla's attacking game Robinho will miss the final through injury. Vaclav Janda will take his place, whom possesses a lot of the same passing and build-up qualities. Same 4-3-3 formation.

Manchester United changed pretty much their entire line-up since the 2021 Final. In defense Dukla will see the familiar faces of Walker, Boyata and Dvorak, and in midfield Mulholland, but the rest of their team is different. They also still play in their same 4-4-2 formation.

The match was a lot like the 2021 Final; neither team created clear cut chances and neither team could really combine passes far up the pitch. The 2021 game was decided on penalties, but it wouldn't come to that this time around!

THE 99TH MINUTE
wmU2dweRCgA

(How can they leave Marinelli that open?!)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5983/sgoal.png

FAARRRIIIDDDD!!!!

Manchester United had a goal cancelled in 122nd (!!!) minute of the game, and it looked awfully suspicious...

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1150/equalizer.png

Tough luck, Mancunians. That's number 3 for Dukla. (H) After Akif twice lifted the trophy for Dukla, it was now Walter's turn.


Overheard in the streets of Prague...

''Hand me one of those gazettes, kid, here's a nickle ... God, this Dukla team sure is something! Their manager must be a genius. And what a pretty face.''
''Sir, you look an awful lot like that man on the front page. Are you him by any chance?''
''Gotta run, kid.''

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/3767/gazette.png

Congrats. Boyata at the heart of their defense? Pretty amazing considering how much of his early career was spent in Hungary (H)

I cant believe I didnt see this thread much earlier, because its near Czech thread! BTW one of the biggest czech writer, Ota Pavel was the biggest Dukla fan and travel with them all over the world.

BTW nice Chelsea attack - Neymar, Muniain :)

And congratulations for the Champions League trophy, if its Champions League, because I think you should use some patch for actual league names like "gambrinus liga" and "ondrasovka cup" but nice stuff ;-).

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/8256/delpierox.png

Couldn't resist. Not even interested in his attributes, all I want is hang out with Ale. During team meetings I don't instruct my players, I show them highlights and goals of Del Piero's career. It has been awkward at times, especially the staring and the endless praising...

Dukla also welcomes a new right winger. I wanted to sign him from Maribor when he was just 16 years old, but he chose Atletico Madrid instead. He had a decent time there and Man U snapped him up when he was 21. He quickly became an international star and made a blockbuster move to AC Milan when he was 24. Sadly for him he couldn't live up to his price tag, only playing 28 league games in 3 years. His career got in a slumb, and I finally had a shot at him. He rejected Dukla early this summer, not being sure whether moving to the Czech Republic would be a good career move, but a month later I was finally able to convince him Dukla would be just right for him.

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/2487/cander.png


I also signed Sebastian Schulz from Serie A and Europa League champions Genoa (their first Serie A title in 100 years!). My midfield was excellent already, but very young. Sebastian adds experience, strength, speed, technique, dangerous free kicks, corners... Well, his attributes speak for themselves. An all all-round excellent midfielder.

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/6944/schermafbeelding2011051.png

No noteworthy departures.

The season kicked off again in the Czech Republic, and it's mind-numblingly boring.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9671/jihlava.png
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5929/statsjihlava.png

Every game is like this. I don't like managing these games, and it's 70% of the schedule! Winning all games would be nice for once, but oh so boring...

Came across these guys with excellent names: The Kalashnikovs. (H) No Dukla material though, but I'm sure Pizza would love to have them both at Sheriff, hehe.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1089/kalash1.png
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6816/kalash2.png

Dukla makes its fifth trip to Monte Carlo for the 2024 UEFA Super Cup. We won this prize twice before, in 2017 (vs. Chelsea) and 2021 (vs. Inter). We lost the game in 2016 (vs. Arsenal) and 2019 (vs. Porto). This time we'll face Europa League and Serie A winners Genoa.

http://imageshack.us/m/585/2938/aerialviewmonaco.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/518/formations.png
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1921/supercup.png
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3854/italianchampionsowned.png

http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/competitions/Final/01/49/93/88/1499388_w2.jpg

Well, that was boring, despite the overtime. Totally dominated the Italian champions, although I didn't create that many clear cut chances. Simon Roger Bombele's red card proved to be fatal for them. UEFA Super Cup x 3 for Dukla.

Somehow this game feels completed after winning over 10 Czech First Division titles, over 10 Czech F.A. Cups, 3 Champions League titles, 2 Europa League titles, 3 European Super Cups and 2 Club World Cups. Dukla is now an elite club and not a whole lot is left to accomplish. Aside from that the Czech League and Cup have become a total drag, and that's the majority of the schedule. Back-to-back Champions League titles would be nice, and I'll probably go for that, but I feel like starting a new game.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a club or challenge? Thought about South America to have a shot at the Copa Libertadores for the first time, though MTK's rise makes me interested in doing something like that again. But I've learned that's very time consuming!

My suggestion would be Mexico. If I'm not mistaken, their clubs qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League AND the Copa Libertadores. There's also some good talent from Mexico, and I think the league is generally considered prestigious; certainly more so than Czech Republic and Hungary.

I finally found a photo of a very young Pavel Nedved in a Dukla jersey! If my game generates a Czech player very similar to him, this game will extend itself with 15 years, easily. So far no indication of anyone close to him though. Most really good Czech regens are defensive midfielders. Boring.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7401/pavelnedvedy.jpg

My Dukla assistant manager and best friend Alessandro and I had a good conversation in Monaco when we were there for the 2024 UEFA Super Cup. We figured it'd be best to manage another season at Dukla, trying to repeat our Champions League victory for the first time, and to become Club World Champions for the third time in the Bird's Nest.

Back on the plane to Prague.

We failed to repeat our Champions League victory, being beaten by Atletico Madrid in the first KO round, but did win in China. We also won our 12th Czech National Championship, but saw our 129 (!!!) games unbeaten streak in the Gambrinus Liga, dating back to July 2020, broken in September 2024. We also won a sh*tload of other insignificant Czech F.A. Cups and Supercups... ehhh.

I'm in the summer of 2025 now, and bookies say I shouldn't hope for more than reaching the later stages in the 2025/2026 edition of the Champions League. They're quick to write us off after one bad season.

First off I wanted to freshen up the game visually, changing Dukla's standard logo to one they used in the early 90's. It features Prague's landmark building.

http://www.seeklogo.com/images/F/FC_Dukla_Praha__logo_1991_94_-logo-001E518773-seeklogo.com.gif

And we struck a deal with Adidas.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5836/duklahome2025.png


The history of Dukla Prague's home jersey
I didn't make the first Nike one... and it's the worst one, let's be honest. I only bother making these kits for my own saves occasionally. It's just filling in the colors on Photoshop templates, really.

-------2010-2017-------------2017-2023 -------------2023-2025
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6523/nikehome20102017.pnghttp://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5201/duklapraha2020worldcham.pnghttp://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7919/duklahome2023.png


THE TEAM:
I also wanted to revamp the team tactically, switching to a Chelmsford inspired 4-2-4 formation. I decided on this quit late in the summer, and so could not make my ideal signings for this formation. But I think I did all right. Main priority: strikers! Both happen to be French, and both are all right. Viale scored over 100 goals in Ligue 1 over 6 years for Saint-Etienne, and I believe he'll make a good couple with Dukla star striker (and fellow Frenchman) Farid Raffalli. Driss is one for the future, and my fourth striker will still be 33 year old Vaclav Kadlec. The rest of my team fits this formation quite well.

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1725/viale.png
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4052/driss.png

One important outgoing transfer: Sebastian Schulz. He only played one season for Dukla, and did good... However, when Europe's elite teams showed interest and were prepared to pay up, I decided to cash in on him considering his age (29 turning 30 this season). It'll also enable me to give young players more time.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/8581/schermafbeelding2011081ty.png

Now, what I'd ideally want from this save before FM12 comes out is win in Europe with another Czech club. This is partially inspired by this incredible story on Sortioutsi (you'll get the drift going from the first page to the last, and there are 2 more Polish club success stories in between)...
http://sortitoutsi.net/forum/topic/47812-polish-adventure/

Obviously I won't go as far, but it'd be nice to win in Europe with at least one other Czech club. I think Azrael also talked about this in the DLR discussion. On top of that I'd be interested to see how Dukla progresses without me.

I'll start looking for another club next season, as it's too late now to change teams and be effective (it's the middle of September).

Man, statswise Del Piero must be the worst assistant manager ever, lol. (H)

**** that, he's Alessandro mother******* Del Piero (H)

Didn't really wanna open up a new thread yet, so I'll ask here:

So far I haven't been able to get into FM12. The only full season I played so far was with Luch, which makes me quite sad as I love this game. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a fun game? Inspiration is lacking on my end. I don't really have a clear preference, but I suppose I'm leaning towards a larger football nation this time, without strict foreigner rules.

Journeyman save. Load up leagues, start with lowest rep and no job and wait for an offer and try to scale the pyramid and reach the top, hitting up a bunch of different teams and leagues.

Oh, yeah, I've never tried that before, but always wanted to. I think I'll go for that!

Cheers. Please start a thread for it, I like Journeyman svaes and you tend to post nice stuff.

Thanks! Yeah, I think I will, also for motivation and to follow through on the game. I may go for a more templated approach this time, like this guy. Seems cool for a journeyman game.
http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/279353-Crazy-Canuck-on-Global-Managerial-Tour-This-is-the-Big-(FM12)-One

Eh, I'll probably improvise my updates though, like usual. It's more fun that way.