A second-half header from Lukas Julis gave Sparta Prague a 1-0 home win over Krasnodar in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

Despite missing main marksman David Lafata through injury, Sparta started brightly as Ladislav Krejci's 18-yard effort tested Krasnodar goalkeeper Andriy Dykan.

Krasnodar, who topped Group C ahead of Borussia Dortmund, had come to Prague straight from a training camp in Spain.

The Russian Premier League side needed another fine double stop from Dykan to first deny Sparta captain Borek Dockal and then Julis.

Prague finally made the breakthrough on 64 minutes when Julis nodded in Dockal's sweeping cross from the right, which proved enough for a slender advantage.