Sports News

By Peter Smith

Both coaches fielded attacking line-ups, but it was pressure of the hosts that paid early dividends. In the 16th minute, Ivo Zbozinek curled an inviting cross into the box for the on-rushing Pavel Devaty to head powerfully past Blazek in the Sparta goal. The champions were wavering and Blsany cemented their lead with further goals from striking duo Roman Hogen and David Sourada in the 22nd and 24th minutes. Sparta's frustration began to show and any chance of the visitors staging a comeback was lost when defender Jan Flachbart was sent-off in the 30th minute.

Despite throwing away a two-goal lead at home to Drnovice, Slavia Prague - under new coach Josef Pesice - stole a march on city rivals Sparta with a 4-3 win.

Turning to cycling and the Czech rider Jan Svorada came first in the 20th and final stage of the Tour de France, which culminated on the Champs-Elysees in Paris at the weekend. But it was the 29-year-old American, Lance Armstrong - recently recovered from testicular cancer - who won the Tour overall and the famous yellow jersey for the third successive year.

To Hockenheim in Germany where the Formula 3000 race took place on Saturday. The Czech driver Tomas Enge falls to third in the leadership board after only finishing fifth over the 22-laps. The British driver Justin Wilson came second, and thus extended his lead to 10 points ahead of his main rival Mark Webber.

Finally, sunny Casablanca and the quarter-finals of the $110,000 WTA Open tournament. Sadly, Lenka Nemeckova's fine run came to an end as the Czech player went down in straight sets - 6-4 6-2 - to Anita Capros of Hungary.