Sports News

For the 8th time in ten years the Prague International Marathon has been won by a Kenyan; Robert Stefko made marathon history by becoming the first Czech to make the winners' podium by coming in third; the Czech national football side has entered its final training phase ahead of Euro 2004; at least one Czech's name will grace this year's Stanley Cup no matter who wins.

Sports News

Battle to the finish at Prague International Marathon

Prague International Marathon, photo: CTK

The gruelling Prague International Marathon took place on Sunday in uncharacteristically chilly weather with a dramatic finish on Prague's historic Charles Bridge by Kenyan runner Barnabas Koech. He came in at 2 hours, 12 minutes and 15 seconds, ahead of Birru of Ethiopa. However, the biggest surprise for Czech fans was a 3rd place by Robert Stefko, a naturalised Czech from Slovakia, who finished twenty seconds behind. Stefko's finish means he becomes the first Czech to make the winner's podium in the marathon's ten year history.

Finally, among female competitors Ethiopia's Leila Amman came in 1st, completing the race in just over 2 hours 30 minutes.

A little less than 4, 500 runners took part in this year's race.

Czech national football side enters final phase ahead of Euro 2004

Karel Bruckner, photo: CTK

The Czech national football side is entering its final phase training camp ahead of Euro 2004. Some observers suggesting the team is not in full form, following friendly match losses in recent months to both Ireland and Japan. Last week coach Karel Bruckner nominated 24 players to the final field - with no real surprises: Petr Cech, who has been remarkably solid, will start in goal, while defenders will include Jankulowski of Udinese and Grygera of Amsetrdam.

Star midfielder and team captain Pavel Nedved of Juventus will of course be present, as well as Borussia Dortmund's Tomas Rosicky. Meanwhile, Miroslav Matusovic of Banik Ostrava got perhaps the only surprise nod among the strikers - he scored 10 goals this season in the Czech first division. Among others he'll join usual suspects like Jan Koller of Dortmund, and the electrifying Milan Baros of Liverpool.

The Czechs kick off their opening game at Euro 2004 in Portugal by playing Latvia on June 15th.

Under-21s defeat Turkey 1-0

Meanwhile the Czech Under-21 football side won its first game under new trainer Zdenek Skorpil, beating Turkey 1-0 at the weekend, ahead of qualifications for the Euro Under 21 Championship which start in the autumn. The win follows one tie and one defeat.

No matter who wins the Stanley Cup this year at least one Czech will get a Stanley Cup ring

Tampa Bay - Philadelphia Flyers, photo: CTK

With two teams left in the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup finals Czech attention will once again focus on Czech players left in the game. The upstart Calgary Flames, the first Canadian team to make the NHL final since 1994 have Roman Turek, a former number one goalie who had to take a back seat to the Flames' Kiprusoff this season because of injury. He could get a ring if his team wins, having stepped in shortly during the play-offs.

But, if the favoured Tampa Bay Lightning has its way Czechs on that team who would have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup would include Pavel Kubina and Stansilav Neckar.

Traditionally, each player on the winning team gets to bring the Stanley Cup "home" for a day - meaning the prestigious trophy will be back in the Czech Republic this summer - no matter what.

European Championship canoeing results

Martin Doktor (on the right), photo: CTK

Canoeist Martin Doktor earned his second bronze in the 200 metre sprint at the European Championship, beaten by Russian Maxim Opalev and German racer Andreas Dittmer.

On Sunday Fuksa & Netusil canoed to a gold finish in the two-man 200 metre sprint, with the Czech duo edging-out Hungarian and Polish competitors.

Fuksa & Netusil then combined with Brecka and Kozisek to earn gold in the 4-man 200 metre event.