In Sports News this Monday: the Czech Republic’s footballers beat Malta in František Straka’s first game as manager, though the manner of their victory is less than impressive; the popular Ivan Hašek, who backs Slavia Prague’s Karel Jarolím for national team boss, is standing for the post of chairman of the little-respected Czech FA; Czech doubles specialist Lukáš Dlouhý wins the French Open; and the Dukla Prague rowing team win the Lord Mayor’s eights race for the 30th time in a row.
Czechs “only” beat Malta 1:0 in Straka’s debut as manager
Photo: CTK
The Czech Republic’s footballers defeated Malta in a friendly in Jablonec on Friday evening. However, the fact the Czechs “only” beat a Maltese team featuring several part-timers by one goal to nil has led to some criticism in the media. Indeed Tomáš Necid, whose strike on 77 minutes spared the Czechs’ blushes, was one of the few players to impress. For his first game as manager, František Straka selected a relatively young and inexperienced squad, and says his novices just didn’t have time to gel.
“There’s nothing you can do about that, that’s a risk I took. But on the other hand I think the players gave their all, they really wanted to play a high quality game and I can’t criticise them at all. But they were nervous and lacked the co-ordination that comes with playing together.”
Hašek candidature for chair of Czech FA could spell quick end to Straka’s reign
Ivan Hašek, photo: CTK
It is quite possible that Straka’s first match in charge will also be his last, as a new executive of the Czech football association due to be elected in two weeks’ time may install somebody else. In fact, Friday’s game was rather overshadowed by the news that Ivan Hašek was standing for the post of chairman; he has hinted he would like to see Slavia Prague boss Karel Jarolím as national manager. A series of screw-ups in recent years have seen respect for both the Czech FA and the national team set-up fall sharply, and some see the experienced and widely respected Hašek as the man to turn things around, if he wins election.
Czech doubles Dlouhý wins first Grand Slam tournament at Roland Garros
Leander Paes and Lukáš Dlouhý, photo: CTK
Tennis’s French Open may have been a washout for Czech singles players, but it turned out to be the most successful Grand Slam tournament to date for doubles specialist Lukáš Dlouhý. In Saturday’s final he and India’s Leander Paes staged a brilliant comeback after the first set to beat Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman 3-6 6-3 6-2. Dlouhý, who has now been playing with Paes for a year, had previously come away empty handed from three Grand Slam finals.
Dukla win Lord Mayor’s rowing race for 30th time in row
Photo: CTK
Prague’s Primátorky or Lord Mayor’s eights race took place on Sunday and was of course won by the rowing club Dukla Prague. I say of course because Dukla have now won the annual event for the 30th time in succession.
