Generally speaking, Eastern European countries have suffered less than their western counterparts from the covid-19 pandemic.
Around the globe, more and more football nations return to play. Today, Poland and the Czech Republic resume their operations and join the fray. What is the situation in each country?
Poland
At first, games in Poland will be played behind closed doors - as in most current active leagues. However, the Polish Football Federation (PZPN) have filed an official request to the government to allow fans in stadiums.
PZPN chairman and legendary former striker Zbigniew Boniek has been quoted saying that "We all want to return to the reality we are familiar with. If the government will accept our proposed plan, we will finish the season with supporters in the stands”.
The league has been inactive since mid-March, with powerhouse Legia Warszawa having a healthy eight point lead from second placed and 2019 champions Piast Gliwice. However, last years surprise package should set their sights on what is happening behind them - as there are only seven points between them and 10th place. The race for the championship playoff sets to be a fascinating one with four games remaining.
The league will return on May 29th, as today and tomorrow two cup quarter-final games would take place: Legia and Lech Poznan will travel to second division sides Miedź Legnica and Stal Mielec respectively.
Czech Republic
Across the Polish border, football is back in the Czech Republic as well - who jump straight in to a full midweek league match-day.
After the first round of coronavirus tests held last week yielded two positive results from one Slavia Praha and Mladá Boleslav members, the second round turned out clean to all professional teams in the country.
For now, stadiums will be restricted to hold a total of 175 people in a given game. In some matches, it might be possible to see some fans - who will probably be partners an sponsors related to the home club. Internal discussions are held to raise this quota to 300 people.
Last year’s champions Slavia Praha lead the league comfortably, and after their impressive Champions League performance - they have their sights set solely on clinching the league. Viktoria Plzen, who dominated earlier this decade will try and produce an amazing turnaround from second place. Traditional powerhouse Sparta Praha are nowhere to be seen, sitting at the disappointing 9th place - but still have a chance to win the cup for the first time since 2014.
