Spartak Trnava
FC Spartak Trnava is a professional football club based in Trnava, Slovakia, founded in 1923. The club competes in the Slovak First Football League and plays its home matches at the Anton Malatinský Stadium, which has a capacity of 18,200 spectators. Spartak is one of Slovakia's most traditionally successful clubs, having won six league titles and nine cups domestically. The club's golden era came in the late 1960s and early 1970s when it dominated Czechoslovak football, winning the Czechoslovak First League five times in six seasons and achieving remarkable European success, including winning the Mitropa Cup in 1967 and reaching the European Cup semi-finals in 1969. More recently, Spartak won the Slovak league title in 2018 and the Slovak Cup in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
History
Overview
General information about the club
FC Spartak Trnava was founded on 30 May 1923 through the merger of Šk Čechie and ČšŠk into TSS Trnava. Following a communist takeover, the club became affiliated with the metal industry and was renamed to TJ Kovosmalt. The club has undergone numerous name changes throughout its history, including ŠK Rapid Trnava (1923–39), TSS Trnava (1939–48), Sokol NV Trnava (1948–49), TJ Sokol Kovosmalt Trnava (1949–53), DŠO Spartak Trnava (1953–62), TJ Spartak Trnava (1962–67), TJ Spartak TAZ Trnava (1967–88), TJ Spartak ZŤS Trnava (1988–93), before settling on its current name FC Spartak Trnava in 1993.
Most recent season and achievements
In recent years, Spartak has experienced a resurgence. The 2022-23 season saw the club defend third place and win the Slovak Cup. In European competition, Michal Gašparík's team defeated Newtown 6:2 on aggregate in the 2nd preliminary round of the European Conference League qualification before being eliminated by Polish team Raków Częstochowa in the 3rd preliminary round. The Slovak Cup final was played at the Anton Malatinský Stadium in front of over 15,000 spectators, with Jakub Paur giving Spartak the lead in the 110th minute and Filip Twardzik sealing the victory with a penalty conversion for a 3:1 final result.
History
Early years
In 1952, the club gained its current name, but performance during those years was very unstable. Spartak played in the 2nd league and after advancing to the highest competition, they occupied mostly the lower parts of the table. A better position came only in the 1959/60 season, when Spartak took 4th place.
Successful period
The golden era of Spartak began in the 1966–67 season. The team of legendary coach Anton Malatinský was top of the league by the autumn, but by the end of the season had finished only in third place. Great success was achieved in the Mitropa Cup, where Spartak beat teams like Budapest Honvéd, Lazio and Fiorentina, defeating Újpest of Hungary in the final. In the following season, Spartak gained their most memorable European results, reaching the semi-final of the European Cup to face Ajax, though Ajax won 3–2 on aggregate.
Under the management of Ján Hucko, the team won a second championship. In 1970–71 and 1971–72, Trnava won their third and fourth championship titles under coaches Valér Švec and Anton Malatinský. The team also reached the quarter-final of the European Cup in 1973 and 1974. The fifth and last league title in 1972–73 marked the end of Spartak's golden era.
Crisis and recovery
Although Spartak finished 16th (and last) in the last unified Czechoslovak league season in 1992–93, the latter half of the 1990s can be considered the renaissance of football in Trnava. During the 1995–96 season, Spartak finished third and its popularity grew. The 1996–97 season was memorable for fans, as Karol Pecze almost led the team to its first Slovak league title but was beaten by Košice in the final week of competition. Under new coach Dušan Galis, the team again achieved second place and then third place during the 1998–99 season.
Current period
In the 2017–18 season, Spartak won the league title for the first time in 45 years. Under the leadership of coach Nestor El Maestro, Trnava won the title three games before the end of the season after a 2–0 victory over Dunajská Streda. The title celebrations took place after the last season match against AS Trenčín with 17,113 spectators in attendance, featuring an autograph session, a ride through the city on an open bus, fireworks and a solemn Holy Mass. During the 2018–19 season, Spartak reached the UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time, playing against GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Fenerbahçe and R.S.C. Anderlecht, finishing 3rd with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses. Despite an abysmal league campaign, Spartak managed to win the 2018–19 Slovak Cup.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Domestically, the club has won six league titles and nine cups. The most successful era came on the verge of 1960s and 1970s, when the club dominated Czechoslovak football, having won the Czechoslovak First League five times in the span of six seasons. More recently, the club won the Slovak league title in 2018, as well as Slovak cup in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Continental and global competitions
During the golden era, Spartak Trnava made its name at the international level, having won the Mitropa Cup in 1967. More importantly, the club progressed to the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1969 and quarter-finals in 1973 and 1974, with the 1969 semi-final still standing as the record achievement in the competition for any Slovak or Czech club.
Symbols and Colors
Traditional home and away kits colors
Spartak's colours are red, black and white. Since early days, the home kit consisted of a red-and-black striped shirt. Spartak's away kit has traditionally been completely white, giving the club its nickname bíli andeli (the white angels in local dialect).
Traditional club anthem
The club's anthem is Il Silenzio and it has been played prior to every home match since late 1960s. It is played when the players are entering onto the pitch.
Traditional Rivals
Slovan Bratislava
The greatest rival is Slovan Bratislava. The rivalry has a long tradition and the derby is considered the most prestigious match in the Slovak football calendar. It has a long-standing rivalry with Slovan Bratislava, with whom it contests a derby.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Nicknames
The club is known by the nickname bíli andeli (the white angels in local dialect), derived from their traditional completely white away kit.
Traditions and culture
The main ultras group are called Ultras Spartak. Traditionally, the club has had great support in the city, but it is very popular in the whole region. The club has a large fan base, having regularly averaged the highest attendance in Slovak football. Between 1988 and 2006, Spartak ultras had a mutual friendship with Baník Ostrava fans, with good relations and friendship still persisting to this day. There are also friendships with GKS Katowice and ROW Rybnik.
Stadium
Anton Malatinský Stadium is located in the centre of Trnava, directly behind the walls of the old town. Formerly known simply as Spartak stadium, it was renamed in 1998 in honour of the club's most successful manager Anton Malatinský. The stadium underwent a complex reconstruction in 2013–2015, with the opening ceremony of the new stadium taking place on 22 August 2015. The stadium has a capacity of 18,200 spectators.
Spartak Trnava
Club Information
Official Name
Spartak Trnava
Founding Year
1923
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Stade Du Marasquer
Capacity
19.200
Address
ul. Športová 1
City
Trnava, Slovakia
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Roman Procházka
Captain's Stats
183cm, 76kg
Head Coach
Antonio José Muñoz Guzmán
Head Coach Age
36 Age
Coach Nationality
ES
Coach Contract
05/01/2026 - 30/06/2027
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Cúp Quốc Gia Slovakia | 🏆 1 |
| 2024-2025 | Cúp Quốc Gia Slovakia | 🏆 2 |
| 2023-2024 | Cúp Quốc Gia Slovakia | 🏆 2 |
| 2022-2023 | Cúp Quốc Gia Slovakia | 🏆 2 |
| 2021-2022 | Cúp Quốc Gia Slovakia | 🏆 1 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Niké Liga (SVK)
16 Scored - 9 Conceded
Niké Liga (SVK)
35 Scored - 28 Conceded
Niké Liga (SVK)
34 Scored - 17 Conceded
Niké Liga (SVK)
12 Scored - 17 Conceded
Europa Conference League (UEFA)
3 Scored - 15 Conceded