Sigma Olomouc, featuring Lithuanian international Artūr Dolžnikov in his debut season abroad, has every reason to celebrate — the club pulled off a sensational 3–1 victory over Prague giants Sparta in the Czech Cup final tonight.
It was a dream start for Sigma, and for Dolžnikov, who was in the starting lineup and played until the 70th minute. The underdogs came out firing, stunning Sparta — the most decorated club in Czech football history — with a first-half blitz.
Filip Zorvan opened the scoring in just the 4th minute, setting the tone for what would become a nightmare evening for Sparta. Zorvan struck again right before halftime (45’), and Matej Mikulenka piled on the misery with a third goal in first-half stoppage time (45+3’), leaving Sparta reeling.
Despite a second-half response from Sparta — Albion Rrahmani converted a penalty in the 61st minute — it was too little, too late. Sigma held firm to capture their first Czech Cup title in 13 years, and just the second in the club’s history.
While Sparta boasts a record 16 domestic cup titles and 38 league championships, this time it was Sigma’s moment in the spotlight. The triumph not only added silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet but also secured a spot in next season’s UEFA competition league phase. Czech Cup winners earn a berth in the UEFA Europa League playoff round; even a loss there would send them directly to the UEFA Conference League phase.
For Artūr Dolžnikov, the final capped off a promising debut season in Czech football. The 25-year-old winger featured in three cup matches (scoring once) and five league appearances scoring also one goal.
With silverware already in hand, both Sigma and Dolžnikov now set their sights to finish strong in the league and also on Europe.