Sports News
The Czech Republic's Under 20 ice hockey team have reached the quarter-finals of the World Junior Championships and coach Jaroslav Holik says it will be a grudge match for their opponents, the United States. Jiri Novak and Daja Bedanova have set up a semi-final clash with Australia in the Hopman Cup - Novak says he'll be hard-pressed to beat world number 1 Lleyton Hewitt. And the traditional New Year's Eve football derby between Sparta and Slavia's old boys ended in a draw.
Czech Under 20s face Americans 'bent on revenge'
"The Americans are a bit cheesed off about the fact that we didn't want to play them in a friendly before the World Championships. We refused because we were worried about their enthusiasm, when they were at home, and could have sent on different players. They've said they'll get their revenge on us but we're ready I think that we can control the game, if we play like we did against the Finns and advance to the semi-final that we've dreamt of."
Czech duo reach semi-finals of Hopman Cup
The Czech duo of Jiri Novak and Daja Bedanova are into the semi-finals of tennis's Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia, which is a traditional warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open. The Czech pair got off to a poor start against Italy on Wednesday, when Daja Bedanova was beaten 4:6 6:2 2:6 by Silvia Farina Elia. Jiri Novak then had to keep his nerve to beat Davide Sanguinetti 6:7 7:5 7:5. That result meant it was all to play for in the mixed doubles in which Novak and Bedanova beat the Italians 6:3 6:3, to set up a meeting with Australia, represented by Alicia Molik and world number one Lleyton Hewitt. Novak isn't optimistic ahead of the clash, and told reporters that even if he is in good form, he doesn't have what it takes to beat Hewitt, adding however, that he wouldn't give in without a fight.
Navratilova going strong at 46
The legendary Martina Navratilova is incredibly still going at the age of 46, and began the year with a doubles win at Gold Coast, Australia. Navratilova, who was born near Prague, retired in 1994 before making a comeback six years later. In a glittering career she has picked up an amazing 56 Grand Slam titles. Navratilova is hoping to appear at the Australian Open, though it is not yet clear who would be her doubles partner.
Sparta and Slavia old boys draw New Year's Eve derby
The traditional New Year's Eve football derby between old boys from Prague rivals Sparta and Slavia ended in a 3:3 draw. Despite the clubs' intense rivalry the game was a good-humoured affair, with some players even turning out in wool hats to try to keep warm in the freezing, snowy conditions. Current Slavia coach Miroslav Beranek got one goal, and both sides scored two penalties in what was the 17th old boys'
