SPORT

Czech Manager Quits After Qualifying for Euro 2024 as Three Players Banished Amid Scandal

Czech Republic manager Jaroslav Silhavy sensationally announced his resignation just minutes after qualifying for Euro 2024. The Czechs beat Moldova 3-0 in Olomouc on Monday to book their ticket to Germany, but the match was marred by Silhavy’s decision to send three players home for ‘breaking internal rules’ in the lead-up to the game. West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal, Aris defender Jakub Brabec and Sparta Prague forward Jan Kuchta were all axed after they’d been spotted in a nightclub on Saturday. Silhavy, 62, had been in charge of the Czech Republic for more than five years but won’t lead his nation at the Euros next summer. The former Slavia Prague boss was heavily criticised throughout qualification, as his side routinely struggled to beat supposed weaker opposition and failed to play an attractive style of football. “Even though we are happy now, we had already decided before the game not to continue,” Silhavy stunningly revealed post-match. “I informed the president [of the Czech Republic football association] Petr Fouska about it. The pressure was already enormous – sometimes I didn’t even understand it. This also contributed to our decision.” The 62-year-old later added: “It’s not just about me, but I have the entire...

 by Prague Morning Nov 21, 2023

Three Czechs Sent Home After Night Club Trip Ahead Of Euro Qualifier

Three players have been sent home from the Czech national soccer squad, one day before a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier.  Vladimir Coufal as well as sweeper Jakub Brabec from Greek side Aris Thessaloniki and Sparta Prague striker Jan Kuchta were sent home after being caught in a night club ahead of their final Euro 2024 qualifier against Moldova, the team said on Sunday. The three players “fundamentally violated the internal rules on Saturday night”, the national team said on X (formerly Twitter). “They have left the national team camp with immediate effect,” it added. The website of the DNES broadsheet said the three players were caught in a nightclub in the central city of Olomouc where the team will take on Moldova on Monday. It said a photo taken in the nightclub depicted the three alongside Tomas Neumann, a member of the Czech Football Association’s executive committee. The Czechs need at least a point from the Moldova game in Group E to qualify for the tournament in Germany next year.

 by Prague Morning Nov 19, 2023

Czech Football Club Claims Record With 16 Booked At Once

A Czech football club playing in the lowest division has made the sports pages across the country after 16 of its players were booked at the same time last weekend. TJ Sokol Upohlavy’s players decided to make a splash as they were trailing TJ Sokol Libochovany 6-0 in their game in the lowest district tier last Saturday. When Martin Blizil scored to make it 6-1 in the 82nd minute, all 11 of the team’s players on the pitch took off their shirts in celebration — a deed punishable by a yellow card. Five substitutes came off the bench to celebrate with them, also taking off their shirts and earning a booking. “The last game didn’t really go our way, but our players maybe set a world record,” the team said on Facebook after losing the game 6-2 in the end. “When you underperform, what’s left is a sense of humour,” it added. The referee did not book each player individually — also because with the players’ shirts off, he could not see the numbers. But he did enter the bookings in the match report. The transcript, with a yellow rectangle next to each Upohlavy player’s name, has since gone viral on...

 by Thomas Lane Nov 06, 2023

Slavia Prague, Severe Clashes in Rome: Six Policemen Injured and Four Arrested

Six policemen were injured, and four Czech ultras were arrested during the events surrounding Slavia Prague’s away match in Rome, which took place in the Europa League against Roma. The incidents unfolded in the Via Cavour area, near the Viminale police station. A spontaneous gathering of fans in the Colosseum area was disrupted, with ten fans separated from the main group, which was subsequently loaded onto buses bound for the Stadio Olimpico. The situation escalated with the use of firecrackers and paper bombs, resulting in injuries to police officers who intervened to control the situation. One officer sustained a serious eye injury and was hospitalized, while the injuries to other officers were minor. In another incident at the Duca d’Aosta Bridge around 8 pm, a Roma fan stabbed a Slavia Braga fan in the buttocks. Brawls also occurred at the turnstiles, where Czech fans attacked and robbed the hosts, displaying stolen items in the away sector. Additionally, a Roma Toscolano banner was taken by a Czech fan at Monte Mario and passed to others in the away sector. Reports of a stabbing involving a Czech fan had circulated in Telegram chats before the match, where ultras gather. Rome Police Headquarters...

 by Prague Morning Oct 27, 2023

October 26: World Rally Championship Makes Historic Debut in the Czech Republic!”

While rounds of the World Rally Championship have crossed borders in the past, the Central European Rally is the first to include stages in three countries – Austria, Czech Republic and Germany – during the same event. And with the Czech Republic having never hosted the WRC before, another notable first will be achieved. The innovative event is the culmination of an extensive collaboration between the Austrian Motorsport Federation (AMF), the Autoklub České Republiky (ACCR) and the Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club (ADAC). Based in Passau, southern Germany, the route takes crews north to Velká Chuchle (north of Prague) on Thursday October 26 for the ceremonial start and the opening superspecial stage at the Czech capital’s Chuchle Arena horseracing venue. The after-sunset 8.92-kilometre Circuit of Klatovy stage provides an action-packed stop on the route back south to Germany. The rally returns to the Czech Republic on Friday for three stages run first in the morning and then again in the afternoon. Two stages in Austria, Schärdinger Innviertel and Mühltal, are up first on Saturday with the 27.15-kilometre Mühltal test the rally’s longest. It’s then back into Germany for the Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald test prior to midday service in Passau. Saturday morning’s...

 by Prague Morning Oct 21, 2023

Czechia Beat Sweden to Win First-Ever Beach Volleyball World Championships!

Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner made history for Czech beach volleyball on Sunday, taking the country to the top of the world for the first time with their incredible victory at the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships. The ten-day competition came to an end for the men in great style, with thousands of Mexican fans witnessing the Czechs overcome Sweden’s David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig in a fantastic three-set (21-15, 17-21, 15-13) battle at the Tlaxcala Bullring. Poland’s Michal Bryl and Bartosz Łosiak took bronze. Now undoubtedly the most accomplished team in Czech beach volleyball history, Perusic and Schweiner secured the biggest win in their careers in a season that had already been very successful for the two, who won Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour gold medals in Elite16 events in Uberlândia and Paris, this one in the last event before the World Championships. The world title also basically guarantees the presence of Perusic and Schweiner in the Paris 2024 Games as they have earned Czechia a spot at next year’s Olympics, which will very likely be occupied by them. That would be the second Olympic appearance for the two, who are partners since 2016. Their victory also highlights...

 by Prague Morning Oct 17, 2023

Velká Pardubická Steeplechase is Approaching

Just a few days remain until the Czech Republic’s most renowned horse race. Modeled after the Grand National in Liverpool, it’s actually the oldest and most challenging steeplechase in continental Europe. It’s set to start on October 8, 2023, so don’t miss it! The Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase or Grand Pardubice Steeplechase (the Czech Grand National) was first run on 4 November 1874, when 14 runners started the race. The winner, Fantom, ridden by Englishman George Sayers received 11,700 florins for his owner Count von Cramm. The race has been held every year since on the second Sunday in October – except during the two world wars and the 1968 Russian invasion, and it has been abandoned twice due to frost and snow. The length of the steeplechase is 6.9 km, with 31 obstacles. It usually takes 9–10 minutes to finish the course. The fastest time recorded was 8:58 minutes. Horses starting in the race must be at least 6 years old and Czech horses must qualify by finishing at least one of four qualifying races during the season. The most impressive obstacle is the so called Velký Taxisův příkop (Great Taxis Ditch), which has the reputation of being the toughest obstacle of the...

 by Cara McErlean Sep 26, 2023

RunCzech Opened Registration for 2024 Season

Lovers of sports and a healthy lifestyle should get their hands on the calendar. RunCzech has opened registrations for next year’s most prestigious running events. The 2024 season will traditionally kick off with the world-famous Prague Half Marathon (April 6) and Prague International Marathon (May 5). “We were very pleased to hear the words of praise from people from the World and European Athletics, professional runners, enthusiasts and fans. They let us know loud and clear that they enjoyed our runs and they look forward to next year,” said Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech Organising Committee, whose races have been awarded with the World Athletics Elite Label Race. Beautiful cities, spectacular and fast routes, professional organisation and an unforgettable atmosphere. These are the reasons why RunCzech races are loved everywhere in the world. This year, tens of thousands of runners of all ages and performance categories have already participated in the races across the Czech Republic. And the Mattoni Liberec Nature Run is yet to take place on September 30th. Indeed, the Prague Half Marathon and the Prague International Marathon were the most popular races. They have also been highly acknowledged by the Czech President Petr Pavel who has...

 by Prague Morning Sep 25, 2023

Jaromir Jagr announces He’ll Return for Age-51 Season in Czech Pro League

Jaromir Jagr ain’t ever leaving. In a Saturday morning Facebook post, the 51-year-old future Hockey Hall of Famer heavily alluded that he intended to play yet another year for the Czechia professional team he owns, the Rytiri Kladno Knights “Another hockey season has begun. I just read that I played extraliga for Kladno for the first time 35 years ago. It’s been a minute,” Jagr said in the post via Google Translate. “But the nervousness, the anticipation before the start… This is still the same.” The 2023-24 season will mark the seventh straight season Jagr will play for Kladno — a franchise he’s owned since the 2011-12 season. Jagr, who first suited up for Kladno in 1988-89, recorded 14 points in 26 games with the Knights last season. Since re-joining his hometown team, Jagr has helped Kladno avoid relegation to the second-tier Czechia league and avoid bankruptcy. “I would never have been a hockey player if it was not for this town and this club,” Jagr told The New York Times back in February. “I would be a totally different person. This club and this city made my life. It’s my responsibility to give it back.” Jagr, one of the...

 by Prague Morning Sep 17, 2023

Czech Club Sign 22-Year-Old Who Never Played Football After His Father Paid CZK 500,000

His only previous experience of football has been playing FIFA.  FK Usti nad Labem, who play in the third tier of the Czech footballing pyramid, have signed Martin Podhajský to play for the club. Podhajský is a law student who works for Viagem, the real estate company of club president Pemysl Kuban. His only previous experience of football is playing FIFA but he’ll now have the chance to play in real life after officially registering with the Football Association of the Czech Republic. The plan is for the youngster to play 10 minutes however he will begin training with the team first before he makes his debut, which is expected to be in spring time. In order to sweeten the deal, Podhajsky’s father paid the club CZK 500,000 to convince Usti to sign him. He is expected to replace captain Jakub Mares and play ten minutes as a striker, with all funds going towards sponsorship. “He has never played football,” president Kuban revealed. “Only FIFA from what I know. However, you don’t just see CZK 500,000 rolling on the floor every day. If someone gives me this type of money, I’ll let anyone play. “He said himself that he would...

 by Prague Morning Sep 15, 2023

Czechia to Host Euro 2024 Qualifying Match Ukraine vs. North Macedonia

The Euro 2024 qualifying match between Ukraine and North Macedonia will take place in the Czech Republic. Ukrainian team’s head coach, Serhiy Rebrov, announced this on Saturday, September 9. The match is scheduled for October 14 (Saturday). Rebrov did not specify the Czech city where it will occur, and the Football Association of Ukraine has not yet made an official announcement. However, in August, Slavia Prague offered Ukraine a free qualifying match at its stadium in Vršovice. Most likely, the game will take place there. “The Ukrainian national team asked our partners to host their qualifying match somewhere. We offered our stadium with the condition that if they choose it, we will provide a full set of services absolutely free of charge. This means we will provide training sessions and the match itself. When the Czech national team plays, the rental cost is usually around 2.5 million crowns. By providing Ukraine with free rent, we want to assist this country,” said Slavia chairman of the board, Jaroslav Tvrdik, earlier. The Eden Arena (Fortuna Arena) is currently the most modern soccer arena in the Czech Republic. It was constructed in 2008 and can accommodate 19,370 spectators, with all seats under a...

 by Richard Golbeck Sep 11, 2023

Kicking Goals and Pursuing Passions: Meet Tristan Corneil

Today, Prague Morning explores the experiences of Tristan Corneil, a Canadian female football player who signed a contract with the Sparta football club in Prague. This article tells the story of an overseas expat who fell in love with Prague’s slow lifestyle while looking for career opportunities. Growing up in a family deeply involved in sports, Tristan had to make a significant choice. Her brother was a national volleyball player, her parents excelled in university-level sports, and her sister shared the same passion. However, Tristan’s height, 171 and a half centimeters did not meet the typical requirements for volleyball or basketball. Considering these factors, football appeared to be the ideal passion to pursue. Tristan moved abroad for her football career due to limited opportunities for professional women’s football in Canada. The United States has a more developed landscape, with leagues like the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) providing a platform for female athletes. However, even in the US, it can still be challenging for a female athlete to find a real professional path. “…In the US, you can only play female football at a semi-professional level, which is definitely not enough to make a living and pursue your passion year-round…”...

 by Andrii Kolisnychenko Sep 08, 2023

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