Inside the Mind of Slavia Prague Social Media Admin Marek Hlavac
Football social media accounts have evolved into battlegrounds of wit, memes, and playful banter. Few clubs embrace this modern digital culture quite like Slavia Prague, spearheaded by 27-year-old Marek Hlavac. While his online persona often leans into sharp humor and viral stunts, his real-life allegiance to his boyhood club remains absolute. As Slavia Prague prepares for a high-profile Champions League clash against Arsenal, Hlavac finds himself caught between his professional duties and his personal affection for the English side.
Hlavac has spent roughly six years working behind the scenes for the Czech giants, building their TikTok presence from scratch. What started as an experimental digital page has transformed into a viral sensation known for poking fun at elite opponents. Yet, tonight brings a unique test as the team from Prague welcomes the Gunners to their home stadium. Hlavac admitted that he would be satisfied if his squad manages a feat they have never achieved at home against Arsenal, which is simply scoring a goal.
Speaking to SunSport, Hlavac said, “At least a goal would be nice. A point or three, maybe. We're not the favourites, realistically. But it's football - anything can happen. I hope we can get something tonight.” Exactly a year ago, Bukayo Saka and a Mikel Merino double delivered a 3-0 victory in the Czech capital. Meanwhile, Slavia have drawn a blank in all three home clashes against the English powerhouse.
How a Childhood Trip to London Sparked a Lifelong Soft Spot
Long before he became the digital mastermind behind Slavia Prague, Hlavac developed a secondary attachment to English football during a boyhood visit. He was just 12 years old when he joined Slavia travelling fans in London, spending three spare hours on an Emirates Stadium tour. That afternoon planted the seeds of an affection for Arsenal, though his allegiance to his hometown club always comes first.
Reflecting on how far his club has traveled during his lifetime, Hlavac recalled darker financial and sporting days when crowds dwindled to a fraction of their current size. He noted that when he watched matches as a young supporter, only about 4,000 or 5,000 people filled the stands. Today, the venue sells out every single game, creating an electric atmosphere that makes European nights even more special for the lifelong fan turned staff member.
Taking Aim at Richarlison and Other European Heavyweights
Hlavac has earned a reputation across European football for his fearless online trolling. Last year, following a difficult 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur where Slavia conceded two penalties and an own goal, the admin decided to lift the mood with some digital mischief. He roasted Brazilian forward Richarlison with a dog-bonking meme, prompting the Premier League star to take the bait and comment back with the scoreline.
Discussing the viral exchange, Hlavac said, “When you look at Richarlison, I think he has about 21 million followers. He's a big name and plays for the Brazil national team. And he's having a go at us, so why not do something back? He didn't play very well in that game. It was an opportunity we decided to take. I'd say there's a line. We go quite far with some of the jokes we do, but it's okay. We don't mean any harm.” The interaction caused Slavia follower counts to surge, with neutral supporters declaring the Czech side as their second favorite team.
Tottenham is far from his only target in European football. Hlavac previously joked about Raphinha having the exact same number of Ballon d'Or trophies as a Slavia player after Barcelona posted a photograph of the winger with the accolade. Young sensation Lamine Yamal also received playful treatment when he was told he was too scared to make the journey to the Czech capital after picking up three yellow cards.
Balancing Digital Humor with Professional Respect
Running a major football club account requires a delicate balance between entertainment and diplomacy. Hlavac views his online creations as creative outlets that require fast execution rather than overthinking. He stated that Slavia's TikTok page is his baby, built from zero followers through trial and error. Most posts perform well, while jokes that cross the line are quietly left in the drafts.
Tonight's fixture arrives with heavy history. Arsenal secured a dominant 7-0 victory in 2007, which remains one of their joint-biggest European wins, and also triumphed 4-0 in Prague during their run to the 2021 Europa League semi-finals. Despite the daunting historical record, Hlavac treats the fixture as the pinnacle of the club's home calendar.
Hlavac said, “This is the biggest home game, for sure. We're the biggest Czech club, but from a global point of view we're tiny. We always like to go all out with the Champions League, so it's always very special for us.” Should Slavia manage to navigate the group phase successfully, Hlavac might even secure his dream matchup against Real Madrid. For now, stars like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe remain safe from his digital pranks as the focus shifts entirely to the visiting Gunners.
