News

Czechia will play Switzerland in the final of the Women’s World Floorball Championships, marking the first time the Czech team has reached the title match. The hosts edged Finland 1–0 in the semi-finals, with captain Michaela Kubečková scoring the decisive goal late in the game. Switzerland booked their place in the final by defeating Sweden 6–3, taking an early lead and controlling the match throughout. The final will also be historic in another respect, as either Sweden or Finland will miss out on a medal for the first time. The two Nordic rivals will meet in the bronze-medal match.

Kateřina Konečná remains chair of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) after delegates at an extraordinary congress declined to propose a vote on new leadership, despite the party’s election setback within the Enough! (Stačilo!) left wing grouping. Party spokesman Roman Roun said the move showed clear support for Konečná ahead of a regular congress in May. Former KSČM deputy leader Jiří Dolejš criticised the decision as proof of the party’s lack of modernising potential. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats (SOCDEM) elected Jiří Nedvěd as their new leader and declared cooperation with Stačilo! a closed chapter. Nedvěd said the party now aims to win back voters disappointed by the emerging government led by ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the Motorists’ party.

The Czech national ice hockey team will play Sweden in Zurich on Sunday with overall victory at the Swiss Games at stake. The match, part of the Euro Hockey Tour, starts at 11:45 and pits the Czechs against an unbeaten Swedish side. Coach Radim Rulík’s team goes into the game after beating Finland 3–1 in Liberec and defeating host nation Switzerland 5–3 on Saturday. Rulík plans several lineup changes for the final, with goaltender Petr Kváča expected to start. Defencemen Jiří Ticháček and Jan Rutta, along with forwards Matěj Stránský, Dominik Kubalík and Lukáš Rousek, should return to the lineup.

Outgoing Environment Minister Petr Hladík (Christian Democrats) has annulled the Environment Ministry’s binding opinion on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the planned I/35 road linking Turnov and Jičín through the Bohemian Paradise landscape protected area, HN economic daily reported. The decision sends the assessment back for renewed review following objections from environmental groups. According to the Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD), it is not yet clear what the move will mean for the project, although preparations are continuing. The planned 35-kilometre road, estimated to cost around CZK 24 billion, has been debated for decades. Hladík will be replaced on Monday by Petr Macinka of the Motorists’ party.