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In Sports News: as the Czech football team prepare for their opening game at Euro 2004, experienced midfielder Vladimir Smicer tells us even though their opponents on Tuesday are the unfancied Latvia, the first game is always very difficult. In ice hockey, goaltender Dominik Hasek looks set to join Ottawa and Czech tennis number one Jiri Novak has recorded his best ever placing on grass, just a week before Wimbledon.

The Czech national football team to face Latvia, Germany and the Netherlands in 'Group D' at European championship, Euro 2004; Czech cyclist Jan Hruska takes third in Tour of Germany; and Liberec to host 2009 Nordic skiiing championship.

In Sports News: Czech Roman Sebrle has beaten his main rival Tom Pappas of the US in a warm-up for the decathlon at the Olympics in Athens. At tennis's French Open, the last Czech in the competition, Denisa Chladkova, has been knocked out, while Martina Navratilova has ruled out appearing at Wimbledon after an unsuccessful singles return at Roland Garros. And in football, the Czech national team play two friendly matches this week as they continue preparations for Euro 2004.

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.

Czech wins swimming gold. Football season ends with victory for Banik, tears for Zizkov. Crowd trouble casts a final shadow over a troubled season. Synot up for sale.

Banik Ostrava have won their first Czech football league title in 23 years, triggering huge celebrations in the north Moravian city. Police have arrested a Synot official and a linesman over allegations of match-fixing. At the World Ice Hockey Championships, the Czech Republic have won five games out of five but face their toughest test yet in a game against Canada on Monday evening.

The Czech Republic have advanced to the second phase of the World Ice Hockey Championships, after securing first place in their group with a 5:1 win over Germany in Prague on Wednesday night. The Czech football team, meanwhile, were beaten in a home friendly by Japan. And boxer Rudolf Kraj's dreams of a second Olympic medal have been dashed.

The Czech ice hockey team have gotten off to a winning start at the World Championships, with a 3:1 win over Latvia in Prague. In football, Banik Ostrava are just two points away from winning the league, but the battle for second place couldn't be more open. And the Czech women's tennis team have been knocked out of the Fed Cup by Italy.

The Czech ice hockey team have had mixed results in their last competitive games before the World Championships, which get underway in Prague on Saturday. Meanwhile, coach Lener says selecting a squad will not be easy, with several Czech NHL stars now available. In football, leaders Ostrava have found their winning touch again, while internationals Rosicky and Smicer are both back after injury. And in tennis, Iveta Benesova has been defeated in the final of the Estoril Open in Portugal.

Jaromir Jagr returns to the Czech Rep to train for the upcoming Ice Hockey World Championships; goalie Tomas Vokoun backstops the Nashville Predators to an important win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the Stanley Cup play-offs; Sparta Prague downs Pilsen to keep chances against Ostrava Banik alive; and Jiri Welsch is set to make NBA history as the first Czech to ever appear in a post-season NBA game.