Sports News

Banik Ostrava have won their first Czech football league title in 23 years, triggering huge celebrations in the north Moravian city. Police have arrested a Synot official and a linesman over allegations of match-fixing. At the World Ice Hockey Championships, the Czech Republic have won five games out of five but face their toughest test yet in a game against Canada on Monday evening.

Sports News

Banik Ostrava win first league title in 23 years

Fans of Banik Ostrava, photo: CTK

Thousands of fans of Banik Ostrava turned out to welcome their heroes in the centre of Ostrava on Sunday evening, after a 1:0 win at local rivals Olomouc secured the club's first league title in 23 years. The only goal of the game came from a Rene Bolf header. Bolf's team-mate Libor Zurek was clearly enjoying the festivities in Ostrava.

"We knew we had to win in Olomouc and we succeeded in that. It's great for the fans and for this city. We've won it - it's a dream come true. Now we have to celebrate of course, but maybe we won't go too crazy just yet."

Race for second place hots up with two games to go

Banik Ostrava - Olomouc, photo: CTK

So with Banik crowned champions, attention now turns to the race for second place, and a place in the qualifiers for the Champions League. Sparta Prague are currently occupying second spot after a 3:1 home win over Zlin. However, their city rivals Slavia can go even on points if they win at Synot on Monday evening. At the other end of the table, Pilsen have been relegated after taking just 19 points in 28 games. The second relegation spot is currently filled by Blsany, though they are equal on points with Zizkov with two games left to go.

Police arrest Synot official and linesman accused of match-fixing

Jaroslav Hastik and Stanislav Hruska, photo: CTK

Off the field, meanwhile, Czech football has been rocked by allegations of corruption: police on Friday night arrested Synot official Jaroslav Hastik and assistant referee Stanislav Hruska at a motorway service station. Hruska is alleged to have taken a large bribe ahead of a game between Synot and Sparta, which the former won 2:0.

Five wins out of five for Czech Republic at World Ice Hockey Championships

Czech Republic - Switzerland, photo: CTK

The Czech Republic's winning run at the World Ice Hockey Championships has been continuing, with a 2:0 win over Austria on Friday and a 3:1 defeat of Switzerland on Sunday. Czech coach Slavomir Lener had this to say after Sunday's game in Prague.

"We shot a lot but it looked like we didn't have the right finish at the right moment. We're happy that we won the game, we got two points, and especially that we got a very important goal in the power play."

So far then it's five wins out of five for the Czechs, though they will face their toughest test yet against Canada on Monday evening. Here's Canadian coach Mike Babcock.

"You know we're going to try to prepare and have the best game we can. We know we play a good Czech team but we think we're getting ready."