The Eastern Slovak derby (Slovak: Východniarske derby) is the name for the rivalry between the two Slovak football teams 1. FC Tatran Preà ¡ov and FC Koà ¡ice. The two teams are historically one of the most successful clubs in Slovakia. The game is considered the one of most prestigious matches in the Slovak football calendar, following the Traditional derby between Slovan Bratislava and Spartak Trnava.
Derby matches between the two teams were first played during the early years of Czechoslovakia. Both clubs were relegated at the beginning of the century. The teams played in a direct battle for survival in the last round of the 2001âÂÂ02 Slovak Superliga season. FC VSS Koà ¡ice needed a win to stay in the competition, and a draw would be enough for Preà ¡ov. Koà ¡ice won the game 2âÂÂ1, turning the score around after half-time. However, Koà ¡ice were relegated in the following 2002âÂÂ03 Slovak Superliga season.
The teams last met in a first league match on May 18, 2013, when Tatran Preà ¡ov drew 0âÂÂ0 with MFK Koà ¡ice at their old stadium. A significant decline in football in both cities followed, VSS Koà ¡ice even ceased to exist and a new club formed in 2018, FC Koà ¡ice. Like Tatran Preà ¡ov, it had to start in the third league and work its way back to the top flight.
In 2025, for the first time in 12 years, the derby match would be played. Koà ¡ice would host the match, which ended in a 2âÂÂ2 draw, with Preà ¡ov player Roman Begala missing a penalty in the 92nd minute of the game. After the match, it was found that the bathrooms in the Koà ¡ice Football Arena were destroyed by the Tatran Ultras. The destruction was heavily criticized by the Slovak media. The clubs faced again on 14 February 2026, with the Futbal Tatran Arena being sold out 2 weeks prior. Before the match, two streets were closed for safety reasons. Koà ¡ice would win the derby 4âÂÂ1, following the sending off of Moritz Römling.
Sources:https://ke.soccerway.com/match/presov-Ob5TWeVo/vss-kosice-I3y16Jf7/?mid=2JqmJ48hhttp://www.nikeliga.sk/zapas/809-pre-kos/preview
Despite being rivals on the pitch, both Tatran and Koà ¡ice have maintained pragmatic business relations off it with frequent player transfers, including direct moves between the two clubs. The list includes players who played for Tatran, and both VSS and FC Koà ¡ice clubs.
Players who transferred between the clubs are often called traitors or Judasists by the fans groups.
Players
Managers
Players
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