Sports News

Sparta Prague have been knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan, though not without giving the holders a bit of a fright. Meanwhile, Sparta manager Kotra is under pressure as a crucial derby against Slavia approaches. In the ice hockey Extraliga the quarter-finals are close to being decided, while NHL star Petr Nedved has scored his first goal for new club Edmonton. And young Czech tennis player Iveta Benesova has been enjoying her first ever WTA tournament win.

Sports News

Sparta's hopes of Champions League glory snuffed out at San Siro stadium

Sparta Prague - AC Milan, photo: CTK

A mere seven minutes: that's how long Sparta Prague's dream of making it to the last eight in football's Champions League lasted against AC Milan on Wednesday night. Sparta had held Milan to a 0:0 draw in Prague, and a scoring draw would have been enough to see them through.

After conceding a goal in the dying seconds before half-time, Sparta were on the ropes. But things changed dramatically in the 59th minute, when - just after being brought on as a substitute - Tomas Jun received a brilliant low cross from Rastislav Michalik and scored a marvellous goal. Sparta were ecstatic: if they could hold that score for the last half hour they'd be through to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in the club's history.

A mere seven minutes: But sadly their dream was short-lived: just seven minutes after Jun's equaliser Shevchenko headed Milan back in front, and from then on it was plain sailing for the Champions League holders, who eventually ran out 4:1 winners. In all honesty, the gulf in quality between the Czech champions and Milan was simply huge. That said, respect is due to Sparta for putting up a decent fight - particularly in defence - against one of the best teams in the world.

Kotrba under pressure as crucial Prague derby nears

Sparta's next game is away to fierce rivals Slavia Prague on Sunday; there has been speculation a poor result could spell the end for under-pressure Sparta manager Jiri Kotrba. Both Slavia and Sparta need the three points as they try to catch up on leaders Banik Ostrava, who are six points clear of the pack after drawing 0:0 with Viktoria Zizkov on Monday.

Extraliga quarter-finals almost decided

Slavia - Znojmo, photo: CTK

In the Czech ice hockey league, the Extraliga, the playoff quarter-finals are drawing to a close. In the best-of-seven series Sparta lead Vitkovice 3:2 on games, Pardubice are 3:2 up against Pilsen, Zlin lead Trinec by the same margin and Znojmo-Slavia is - you guessed it - also 3:2.

Nedved scores first goal for Edmonton, Lang out with injury

In the NHL, Czech star Petr Nedved scored his first goal for Edmonton on Wednesday night, though it wasn't enough to secure victory for his new club, who were beaten 3:2 by Colardo, two of whose goals came from Milan Hejduk assists. Meanwhile, another Czech forward, Robert Lang, looks like missing out on his chance of coming first in the NHL points table, after sustaining a rib injury which will keep him out for up to three weeks.

Young Czech tennis player enjoying first tournament win

The Czech tennis player Iveta Benesova has been talking about her first ever ATP tournament win in Mexico last weekend. Benesova, who is 21, reached the competition as a qualifier and - as she put it herself - worked hard and got her reward.