Sports News

The Czech football season has resumed after the winter break, and Sparta have seen their lead over Prague rivals Slavia reduced to just one point. Roman Sebrle has had a winning start to the season with gold in the septathlon in Tallinn, though fellow Czech Tomas Dvorak only came fifth and is not assured of a starting place at the world championships. And Prague's Wenceslas Square is the unusual venue for an aerial skiing display.

Sparta lose to Teplice after freak late goal, as football season resumes

Sparta lose to Teplice, photo: CTK

Despite the fact that temperatures are still below zero, the Czech football season resumed after the winter break on Saturday, with the first tie between leaders Sparta Prague and Teplice - in third place after a great run before the break. With neither side capable of converting their chances up front, an average game appeared to be heading for a goal-less draw when Sparta defender Homola's headed clearance bounced off Teplice's Divecky and into the Sparta net to give Teplice all three points. It was Jiri Kotrba's first game as coach of the Prague club, and he was philosophical afterwards.

"Well, when you concede a goal in the 93rd minute, and when it was half an own goal at that, it's always unfortunate, but we could have taken the game ourselves, given the numerous chances which we had but couldn't convert, unfortunately."

Slavia close gap to just one point as UEFA Cup tie approaches

Second-placed Slavia Prague - the neutrals' favourite to win the league this year - took advantage of Sparta's slip-up to close the gap to just one point; Tomas Dosek got two and Rudolf Skacel and the much-admired Stepan Vachousek one apiece in their confident 4:0 home defeat of Hradec Kralove on Sunday. By the way, Slavia are the only Czech club left in European competition and face Turkish league leaders Bestiskas at home in the first leg of the fourth round of the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Sebrle starts season with septathlon gold in Estonia

Roman Sebrle has started the season in style, with first place in the septathlon in the Estonian capital Tallinn on Sunday. Sebrle, who is a three-times world champion and holds the record in the decathlon, took the lead after the second discipline and never let up. Fellow Czech Tomas Dvorak (who has health problems) came fifth in Tallinn, and is not assured of a place at the world championships in Birmingham later this year.

Pardubice break 100 point barrier as playoff battle hots up

As the race for the playoffs in the Czech ice hockey league hots up, there was fighting on the ice and bottles were thrown from the stands during Pilsen's 3:1 away win over Karlovy Vary. The latter remain in the top eight, but only two points ahead of Pilsen. At the top of the Extraliga, Pardubice broke the 100 point barrier (they're now on 102) with a 6:1 win over Vitkovice.

Wenceslas Square unusual venue for aerial skiing display

Sports fans can enjoy an unusual event on Tuesday afternoon, when Olympic champion freestyle aerial skier Ales Valenta takes part in an exhibition on Prague's Wenceslas Square. A special temporary jump and elaborate lighting are being erected at the bottom of the square for the event, which is sure to attract large crowds.