Sports News

The Extraliga semi-final playoffs are now under way, and Slavia and Zlin have set the pace with convincing victories. In football, Liberec and Teplice struggle against lower-league opposition in the Czech FA cup, while amateur player Radek Vana wins a Fair Play award for exposing corruption in Czech football.

Sports News

Slavia and Zlin easily win first round of play-off matches

Zlin - Plzen, photo: CTK

Last night's semifinal play-offs in the Czech ice-hockey Extraliga dominate today's sports headlines. The first match saw defending champions Slavia playing their local rivals Sparta away from home. This eagerly awaited derby turned out to be a rout for Slavia who came back strongly after conceding an early goal to win 4-1 thanks in part to some naïve defending from Sparta. In the competition's other semi-final, Pilsen who knocked out highly fancied Pardubice in the last round, were thrashed 7-2 away to Zlin. Both Zlin and Slavia now enjoy a a slender 1-0 lead on games as they prepare for today's second leg in the best-of-seven series.

Teplice and Liberec limp into the next round of the Czech FA Cup

The latest round of matches in the Czech FA Cup were held last night. First division side Teplice were given a fright against lowly part-timers Unicov who took a shock 1-0 lead thanks to an own goal from Petr Benat. Benat made up for his error, however, by scoring the winner after Pavel Krmas had calmed Teplice's nerves with the equalizer. Liberec also struggled against lowly opposition, having to wait until the 72nd minute for David Langer to break the deadlock against Strakonice who play in a regional division. Liberec eventually won 2-0 thanks to a last-minute goal from Miroslav Slepicka. Elsewhere, Brno won 2-0 away to Drnovice, while Sparta cruised through to the next round with a 2-0 win at home to Opava. In the Cup's other matches Pribram won 2-0 at home to Zlin while Blsany enjoyed a 2-0 win at Chocen

Radek Vana wins award for exposing corruption in Czech football

Radek Vana, photo: CTK

Amateur player Radek Vana has received a special award from the Czech Fair Play club for exposing corruption in Czech football. Vana hit the headlines last year when he secretly recorded himself on film bribing referees to influence the outcome of matches. Vana said he welcomed the expression of support from the Czech Fair Play club for what he had done. Despite his good intentions, Vana is now serving a ten-month ban, which was imposed upon him by a FA disciplinary committee for match-fixing.

Marek Heinz to face disciplinary committee

The Czech first division's leading scorer Marek Heinz faces an anxious wait to see if he receives a possible ban for dangerous play. Heinz, who plays for league leaders Banik Ostrava, is accused of deliberately stamping on an opponent in last week's league match against Pilsen. Although no action was taken by the referee at the time, TV pictures of the incident have persuaded the Czech FA's disciplinary committee to look into the matter. If found guilty, Heinz could be suspended for several matches, which would leave Ostrava without their top-scorer just as they are trying to wrap up the league.

Strycova crashes out of Indian Wells tournament

Czech tennis player Barbora Strycova saw her progress in the Indian Wells tournament come to an end with a fourth-round defeat to world number-one Justine Henin-Hardenne. Henin-Hardenne cruised past Strycova in straight sets with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.