Sports News

Dominik Hasek makes a save against the Carolina Hurricanes, photo: CTK

Hasek's Red Wings win two games to take the lead in the Stanley Cup. Novak loses at the Czech Open in Prostejov. Kasparkova is back after having a baby, and looking forward to Wednesday's Golden Spike in Ostrava. And there's one Czech at the World Cup - a linesman. Those stories and more are in Sports News.

Hasek's Red Wings leading 2:1 in Stanley Cup play-offs

Dominik Hasek makes a save against the Carolina Hurricanes,  photo: CTK
It was a good weekend for Czech goaltender Dominik Hasek. His NHL ice hockey team the Detroit Red Wings are leading the Stanley Cup play-offs against the Carolina Hurricanes 2:1, having now won games two and three of the best-of-seven series. Asked whether Saturday night's 3-2 result was a turning point, Hasek said that his team still had to win a few important victories. Dominik Hasek, known to fans as the Dominator, is chasing his first ever Stanley Cup ring, in what may be his last season in hockey.

Novak loses to Argentinian in final of Czech Open

Czech tennis fans had a rare chance to see the Czech number one Jiri Novak in the flesh at the weekend, when he took part in the Czech Open at Prostejov, north Moravia. Novak, who is ranked 15th in the world, lost in the final for the third time in his career, going down 6:3 6:3 to the Argentinian Guillermo Coria. Afterwards, Novak donated his winnings from the tournament to charity.

Kasparkova wins with only one jump on comeback

The triple-jumper Sarka Kasparkova has taken part in her first competition since having a baby. Kasparkova jumped only once at Prague's Slavia on Saturday - the day after her daughter's first birthday - but it was enough to secure victory for the former world champion. Kasparkova is now looking forward to the biggest event on the Czech athletics calendar - the Golden Spike in Ostrava. The American sprinter Marion Jones will be the biggest overseas star at Wednesday's meeting.

Vrbenska breaks hammer record for seventh time

The hammer-thrower Lucie Vrbenska has broken the Czech record - for an incredible seventh time. And seven was evidently her lucky number in Kladno at the weekend - Vrbenska's throw of 62 metres 27 centimetres was seven centimetres further than her previous record.

Sparta Prague add Baranek to list of pre-season signings

Football now, and Sparta Prague have made yet another pre-season signing, with Miroslav Baranek rejoining the club after two years at Germany's Cologne. Baranek's contract is for three years.

One Czech at World Cup - linesman Evzen Amler

As the whole world goes football crazy, every Czech football fan must be regretting once again the Czech Republic's failure to qualify. But there is one Czech at the World Cup - linesman Evzen Amler. Amler officiated in the Ireland-Germany game last week and said afterwards that one Irish player in particular had given him a lot of stick. But, I'm used to it, said Amler, I get that all the time in the Czech league. And there is also one player from the Czech league at the World Cup - Slavia Prague's Goran Sankovic is in the Slovenian squad.