Connect with us

Sports

Czech Coach, Silhavy Resigns After Euro Slot

Published

on

After guiding Czech Republic to a confident 3-0 win against Moldova, coach Jaroslav Silhavy made a decision to step down from his position.

Football lovers consider it curious given that this move follows the team’s successful qualification for Euro 2024.

However, the 62-year-old coach explained in a post-match interview with Czech Television that, “Even though we are happy now, we had already decided before the game not to continue.”

Silhavy, who assumed the role in 2018, guided the team to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals but faced disappointment by missing out on the last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Despite securing a spot at the upcoming Euros in Germany, Silhavy faced criticism for the team’s underwhelming displays in Group E, finishing second behind Albania with only four wins in eight games.

Adding to the challenges, the Czech team faced setbacks from a recent scandal when West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal, alongside two other players, were sent home for spending Saturday night at a nightclub.

Silhavy said “The pressure was enormous, beyond comprehension at times. It was one of the factors behind our decision.”

Recall that Silhavy, a former defender, faced uncertainty about his future following the Czechs’ 3-0 defeat in Albania back in October.

While the Czech Football Association didn’t terminate his contract, they reduced its duration until November 30, leaving open the possibility of an extension contingent upon the Czechs’ qualification for Euro 2024.

Saturday’s incident further compounded concerns about Silhavy’s position, with Coufal, Aris Thessaloniki defender Jakub Brabec, and Sparta Prague striker Jan Kuchta being photographed at a nightclub just two days before the Moldova game.

Despite apologies from the players, football pundits criticized the team’s negative environment, placing blame on Silhavy.

Silhavy, acknowledging the disappointment, expressed his dismay over the incident, especially since all three players involved had been in the starting line-up for last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Poland in Warsaw.

He said “I won’t say whether I was successful or not. You can see we have done some work, we have been working here for more than five years and there’s nothing we should be ashamed of.”

Silhavy mentioned his intention to attend the tournament in Germany as a supporter, saying, “Germany is close to the Czech Republic. We’ll surely be there, cheering for the boys.”

Click to comment

Sports

Euro 2024: Severe Storm Halts Germany vs. Denmark Match

Published

on

The Euro 2024 last-16 clash between Germany and Denmark was temporarily suspended on Saturday evening after a violent storm hit Dortmund.

The match was halted in the 35th minute by English referee Michael Oliver, who directed the players off the pitch amid torrential rain, hailstones, high winds, thunder, and lightning.

The score was tied at 0-0 when play was stopped at approximately 9:35 pm local time (1935 GMT).

Stadium announcements informed spectators of the suspension, stating, “Due to adverse weather conditions, the game has been suspended. More information to follow.”

Fans in exposed seats, part of the 60,000-strong crowd, scrambled for cover as water poured from the stadium roof.

Dark rain clouds loomed over the BVB Stadion, adding to the dramatic scene.

Local police confirmed that fan zones in Dortmund were also closed due to the inclement weather.

A screen later announced that the match would resume following the weather-related delay.

Continue Reading

Sports

Amusan Cleared For Olympics As CAS Dismisses Doping Charges

Published

on

Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles, has been given clearance to compete in the Paris Olympics following a decision by the sport’s top court to dismiss appeals against her cleared doping offense.

Amusan, 27, faced allegations of missing three anti-doping tests within a year, but was exonerated by World Athletics’ Disciplinary Tribunal.

World Athletics and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) contested this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS announced that its panel “unanimously acknowledged that the Athlete committed two filing failures but did not confirm the existence of a missed test alleged by WA and WADA, which would have constituted the third Whereabouts Failure within a 12-month period.”

Amusan set the world record of 12.12 seconds at the world championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July 2022, where she also secured the title.

Tobi Amusan, who finished sixth in the world championships in Budapest last year, remains eligible for competition despite the scrutiny of World Athletics’ anti-doping rules.

These regulations stipulate that any athlete failing to report their whereabouts for a doping test three times within a year faces a two-year ineligibility period.

Continue Reading

Sports

Euro 2024: Mbappe Starts For France Against Poland After Injury

Published

on

Kylian Mbappe is back in the France starting line-up for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 clash with Poland, his first appearance since suffering a broken nose against Austria just over a week ago.

Mbappe injured himself late on in the 1-0 victory over the Austrians on June 17 and did not play any part in last Friday’s 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in Leipzig as a result.

The new Real Madrid signing, who must wear a protective face mask, captains a France side who have already qualified for the last 16 before the Group D finale in Dortmund.

He returns in one of two changes made by coach Didier Deschamps to his line-up, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola getting a first international start as Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram drop out.

Where France finish in the section depends both on their result and the outcome of the simultaneous encounter between the Netherlands and Austria.

Poland are already eliminated but their captain and record goal-scorer Robert Lewandowski makes his first start of the competition after injury.

 

From AFP

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.