Celtic v Slovan Bratislava – Whatever happened to Artmedia?

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·17 de septiembre de 2024

Celtic v Slovan Bratislava – Whatever happened to Artmedia?

As we prepare to face Slovan Bratislava in our opening Champions League game tomorrow night, you can’t help but feel haunted by the mere mention of Bratislava, Artmedia Bratislava to be exact…

Remember them? Well good for you if you don’t, but it’s a name that sends shivers down the spines of most Celtic supporters as they were of course the side who hammered us 5-0 back in 2005 in Gordon Strachan’s first competitive match in charge of the club.

So much went wrong that night. Artmedia who were managed by Vladimir Weiss who also happens to be tomorrow nights opponents Slovan’s manager, seemed to score with every shot they had on goal. We even lost Chris Sutton to a freak injury after an accidental clash with teammate Neil Lennon. Aiden McGeady also somehow managed to miss an absolute sitter that would prove to be costly once the two legs were negotiated.

OneFootball Videos

Celtic were of course victorious 4-0 in the return leg and despite giving it our best shot that was our European adventure over for the campaign and it was only the beginning of August.

It was no condolence that Artmedia only narrowly missed out in a place in the last 16 after twice drawing with Rangers and beating Porto away. It’s still a tie we should have won and it heaped severe pressure on wee Gordon so early on in his Celtic career.

Things as we know worked out quite well for Gordon that season and the following seasons to come. As for Artemedia, whatever happened to them? Well a few seasons later they were renamed FC Artmedia Petrzalka in 2007 before being renamed MFK Petrzalka, in 2009 and then FC Petrzalka 1898 in 2010. Something that was quite common at Artmedia as they had gone through a host of name changes throughout the 100 odd years in the history of the club.

John Hartson scores the 2nd goal during the Champions League first qualifying round, second leg match between Celtic and Artmedia Bratislava at Celtic Park on 2 August, 2005 . (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

They were then renamed FC Petrzalka akademia in 2014, but this time due to bankruptcy, and naturally had to start as a newco in the lower reaches of the 5th division. Something that sounds so familiar!

Then in 2017 they were renamed once again this time as FC Petrzalka, which they are currently known and have just started the season in the second tier of Slovakian football after gaining promotion last season.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

*Matt Corr has written about that game in Bratislava in his brilliant account of Gordon Strachan’s first season as Celtic manager. We’ll publish an extract from Majic, Stan and the King of Japan shortly on The Celtic Star…

Order a signed copy today and ask for a personal dedication from the author MATT CORR, when ordering…

The Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery is still only £1 each week and you could win up to £25,000! All net proceeds donated to the Celtic Academy. Join today and you will receive this Champions League Bobble Hat!