Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: Czechs lose opening game at U21 Euros in front of “home” fans in Silesia; Baník eye Baroš once more; Czechs take several medals at Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague; and Red Wings look set to leave Mrázek in the cold.

Czechs lose U21 Euros opener to Germany

Patrik Schick, photo: CTK

The Czech Republic’s footballers got off to a losing start at the European Under-21 Championship in Poland’s Tychy on Sunday, with the “Lion Cubs” suffering a 2:0 defeat at the hands of the favourites Germany. The Germans opened the scoring just before half-time and doubled their lead shortly after the interval. The Czechs were unable to find a way back into the game despite a couple of chances, one of which fell to Patrik Schick. The country’s star man – and the top scorer in qualification – had this to say after the game.

“I think it was a super game – and for the spectators, too. I think all in all we were a good match for Germany. We played as our opponents allowed us to – I have to admit, the Germans really are good.”

The city of Tychy is in Silesia and a very large percentage of the 14,000 fans at Sunday’s match had crossed the border from the Czech Republic. Czech coach Vítězslav Lavička said the supporters had contributed to a great atmosphere.

“The fans urged us on. For me it’s just disappointing that we didn’t offer a more dramatic end to the game. We created some chances and I think if we had converted them, either in the first half or toward the end of the game, it would have been a more dramatic match.”

The Czechs’ next encounter is against Italy on Wednesday and their final group game, against Denmark, takes place on Saturday.

Baroš Baník bound?

Milan Baroš may be set to return to his first club Baník Ostrava, Sport reported. The management of Ostrava, now back in the Czech top flight after a season in the second tier, are keen to have the 35-year-old sign on the dotted line yet again, the newspaper said. Baroš is currently at Liberec.

Four medals for Czechs at Prague Canoe Slalom World Cup

Jiří Prskavec, photo: CTK

The Czech team took four medals at the Canoe Slalom World Cup at Prague’s Troja at the weekend. Kayakers Vít Přindiš and Jiří Prskavec picked up gold and bronze in the men’s K1 category on Saturday, with Jonáš Kašpar and Marek Šindler coming first in the men’s canoe double (C2) and Monika Jančová winning bronze in the women's C1 category on the same day. Sunday was less enjoyable for home fans, with no Czech competitors making it onto the podium.

Red Wings look set to freeze out Mrázek

The Detroit Red Wings look determined to let the Czech goaltender Petr Mrázek leave the NHL club, just a year after he was their unquestioned no. 1. The Red Wings have left the 25-year-old Mrázek exposed for the expansion draft amid reported questions over both his performance and his attitude.