Sports News
Czech tennis number one Jiri Novak has reached the third round of the French Open after an unexpectedly tough encounter with Spain's little-known Marc Lopez. Pavel Nedved, who was suspended for the final, has failed to become the first ever Czech to win the greatest competition in club football, the Champions League. It's official: Sparta are Czech league champions. Despite low interest in the Czech Cup, winners Teplice will be glad of a chance of UEFA Cup action and Czech ice hockey goalie Roman Cechmanek is on the move.
Novak through to third round at French Open after gruelling five-set match
"The main thing is that I've qualified for the next round, that's the most important thing. Now it's just a matter of calmly awaiting my next opponent and we'll see what happens. I have nothing to lose and I've made it the third round, so I'm very satisfied."
Other Czechs left in the second Grand Slam tournament of the year include Radek Stepanek, Zuzana Ondraskova and Denisa Chladkova.
Champions League medal eludes suspended Nedved
International football captain Pavel Nedved has failed to become the first ever Czech to win the greatest competition in club football, the Champions League. The attacking midfielder had to sit Wednesday's final out due to suspension and was sorely missed by Juventus, who eventually lost to AC Milan on penalties. Nedved, who recently won his second Serie A winner's medal in a row with Juve, has often said he joined the club in order to win the Champions League. Nedved's next challenge will be the Czech Republic's Euro 2004 qualifier against Moldova in Olomouc on June 11.
It's official - Sparta are champions (no really)
After all the farcical twists in the saga of the Czech league title, Sparta Prague have now been confirmed as champions. That's because Bohemians have decided not to appeal a Czech FA ruling in which Sparta were awarded a win after a recent game between the two clubs was abandoned when a Bohemians fan hit a linesman. The FA confirmed on Wednesday that the Kangaroos face a half-a-million-crown fine and must play their next three home games behind closed doors.
Teplice happy with Czech Cup win despite low interest in competition
The Czech Cup was also decided this week, with Teplice beating Jablonec 1:0 on Tuesday; the only goal of the game came from defender Tomas Hunal. The fact that the match wasn't shown on TV should illustrate how little significance is attached to the cup in this country. Still, Teplice won't sniff at the chance of UEFA Cup action.
Ice hockey round-up
Czech player Patrik Elias notched up an important assist in the New Jersey Devils' 3:0 win over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the opening game of the Stanley Cup final series. In other hockey news, Czech goalie Roman Cechmanek is leaving the Philadelphia Flyers for the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old has won three world championships with the Czech Republic as well as Olympic gold at Nagano.
