In Sports News: a quarter of a million people turn out for the Czech MotoGP as Lukas Pesek becomes the first Czech rider to reach the podium in decades; Slavia Prague follow their good result against Ajax in a Champions League qualifier with their third win out of three, a feat also achieved by Ostrava and Teplice; and captain Tomas Rosicky is out for Wednesday's friendly against Austria.
Pesek reaches podium in front of massive home crowds at Czech MotoGP
Lukas Pesek, photo: CTK
An incredible quarter of a million spectators turned out at the weekend for the Czech MotoGP in the country's second city, Brno, making it one is one of the biggest crowds ever in the history of world motorcycling. And the huge crowds lining the 5.4-km Masaryk Ring got a rare chance to celebrate a Czech success, when Lukas Pesek came third in the 125cc category. It was a great result for Pesek, who had a lot of catching up to do after a poor start to the race. He was the first Czech in 36 years to reach the podium in Brno.
"I was under terrible pressure and I really wanted to complete the race - that's why I think it's actually like a gold medal for the Czech Republic. I'm still a bit out of it - I'm very tired."
Lukas Pesek, who is 21, is joint third overall in the 125cc championship.
Slavia follow win over Ajax with third league win out of three
Photo: CTK
Slavia Prague's great start to the football season continues. After last week beating Dutch giants Ajax 1:0 away in the first leg of a tie to decide a place in the Champions League, Slavia notched up their third win in the Czech league on Sunday, beating Ceske Budejovice 2:1. That makes it three wins out of three for the Prague side, who are third in the league table on goal difference, behind Banik Ostrava and Teplice. Banik made it nine points out of a possible nine after beating Liberec 3:1, while Teplice did the same with a 3:2 victory over Most.
Sparta Prague are in fourth place, with seven points out of nine. They beat Zlin 2:1 at Letna, days after a 2:0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Rosicky out of Austria friendly
Tomas Rosicky (left), photo: CTK
Arsenal's star midfielder Tomas Rosicky has been ruled out of the Czech national team ahead of a game against Austria in Vienna, after sustaining a knee injury last week against his old club Sparta. Wednesday's friendly match precedes two Euro 2008 qualifiers next month against San Marino away and Ireland at home. While victory in the former is pretty much a foregone conclusion, the latter could prove crucial as the Czechs fight to reach the European Championships.
