OBP close the 2025 season with a social evening at the Pod Kaštany clubhouse

As in recent years, Old Boys Praha met once again on the last Friday of November, 28.11.2025, at the U Balbínů Pod Kaštany restaurant to close a season packed with rugby and, dressed up and in the company of their partners, to talk over the past year’s experiences – and not only the sporting ones.

The party was due to start at 19:00; by then the first punctual OBP members were already there with their partners, and others kept arriving. They were welcomed by a very generous buffet, which really hit the mark this year: besides the traditional excellent pig-feast delicacies and the rugby cake, there was plenty more, so carnivores, vegetarians and lovers of tropical fruit alike could all enjoy themselves. The restaurant staff certainly deserve a mention for their very good service, working hard to keep the buffet stocked and the beer flowing quickly – for the future we just need to work on the half-and-half.

Without any special official opening, the party simply got going, until at 20:30 it was brought to a halt by the official speech of President Karel Zeiner, who reviewed the whole past season at great length, highlighting its successes and, unusually, in a conciliatory spirit, its less successful moments too. Karel also touched on the plans for next season, which will start quite exceptionally early, in January: besides the traditional training camp, we will play a match against RC Budapest in the indoor hall of RC Sparta Praha, and the season should peak with a tour to Ireland. So next season will be packed again. The president paid special attention to the report on OBP’s flagship tournament, Old Prague Ham 2025, which did not stand out in sporting terms, but thanks to a great deal of effort by Karel and Viktor Hlaváč it was a solid financial result. For his work Viktor received the president’s official thanks and was presented with an OBP match ball and a whole log of excellent brawn. Even though OBP sang to him, Viktor did not show his boxers – perhaps he really wasn’t wearing any. The season review also included the Player of the Year award and the presentation of the Vovka Škvor Cup. Honza Vilimovský received it from the captain for his performances during the season and promptly filled it with the club’s green liqueur so that everyone else could enjoy it too.

OBP also used the festive atmosphere to congratulate their coach Dalmoš on his 50th birthday. Dalmoš received the now traditional rugby figurine from the president and ordered a round. We’ll see how things turn out with his benefit. Then came the raffle draw, hosted by the birthday boy, and once again there was plenty to play for – bottles of quality spirits and beer, club merch, men’s magazines and L’Oréal toiletries, much prized by the ladies, were drawn and handed out one by one until only the main prize was left: a stay at a luxury spa hotel, which went to Venda Pešír.

The party then carried on informally, with most members gradually moving to the club room, where the music continued, provided by the club guitarists Honza Vilimovský, Luboš Michalička and Jirka Vlček; under the baton of conductor Gumba they played for listening and dancing until about 2:00 in the morning, when the party was gently wound up and the last of the buffet was cleared away.

OBP would like to thank everyone who came for the great turnout and the relaxed atmosphere, the organisers for their excellent preparations, and the donors (Petr Koudelka – ladies’ cosmetics, Jiří Vlček – Staropramen gifts both solid and liquid, Martin Löfler – delicious drinks and medicinal spirits) for the fine raffle prizes, and they wish all their members and supporters a relaxed Christmas and plenty of good times and good health in the new year 2026, and look forward to seeing you on the pitch.