Sports News
Javelin legend Jan Zelezny is looking forward to what may be his last big meeting in the Czech Republic, next week's Golden Spike in Ostrava. Former ice hockey megastar Dominik Hasek has been banned from in-line hockey for a year for attacking an opponent. The Czech football team which reached the final of Euro 96 have reunited for an exhibition match in Prague and goalkeeper Petr Cech could fulfil a childhood dream by signing with Spanish giant Barcelona.
Javelin legend Zelezny looking forward to Ostrava Golden Spike meeting
"I regard it as a first-class meeting because it's the first year of the Super Grand Prix and I've never had the chance to take part in such a big meeting in the Czech Republic. And I think I'll never have the chance in this country again, so I want to be well-prepared so people will be satisfied."
Hasek banned from in-line hockey for a year for attacking opponent
Dominik Hasek, once the world's best ice hockey goaltender, has been banned from the sport of in-line hockey for a year, following an incident last month in which he attacked an opponent who had to be hospitalised with concussion. Hasek also received the amateur sport's maximum fine - the multi-millionaire has been ordered to pay 2,000 crowns, or around 70 dollars.
The head of in-line hockey's disciplinary committee, Jan Kopec, says Hasek's attack was a first in the sport's short history and he hopes it doesn't happen again. For his part the former Czech international has reacted angrily to the punishment, saying it is excessive and the result of a media campaign against him.
"Silver" Czech team from Euro 96 reunite for exhibition match
Czech football took a trip down memory lane on Tuesday when the team which took silver at Euro 96 lined up against Slavia Prague's league-winning team of the same year. The exhibition match, organised by Slavia veteran Pavel Kuka, saw Vladimir Smicer play for both teams in different halves and offered fans a one-off chance to see Patrik Berger back in a Czech jersey. By the way, the former Liverpool player is reportedly close to signing with either Leeds or Portsmouth.
Barcelona interested in signing goalkeeper Petr Cech
Another potential move making a lot of headlines is Petr Cech's mooted transfer to Barcelona from France's Rennes. The goalkeeper's agent has been in talks with the Spanish giant and Cech himself says playing for the club would be the fulfilment of a childhood dream. As negotiations continue, the 21-year-old and his international teammates are in training ahead of next Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier against Moldova.
"Battle of the Czechs" in Stanley Cup tied at 2:2
In ice hockey the battle of the Czechs in the NHL Stanley Cup play-offs continues. Petr Sykora and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks have come back from two games down to level the series 2:2 against New Jersey, who feature Czechs Patrik Elias and Richard Smehlik.
