Sport in the Czech Republic

Sport plays a significant part in the life of many Czechs who are generally loyal supporters of their favourite teams or individuals.The two leading sports in the Czech Republic are football and ice hockey, both drawing the largest attention of both the media and supporters. The many other sports with professional leagues and structures include basketball, volleyball, handball, athletics, floorball and others.Sport is a source of strong waves of patriotism, usually rising several days or weeks before an event and sinking several days after. The events considered the most important by Czech fans are: the Ice Hockey World Championship, Olympic Ice hockey tournament, the Euro, the football World Cup and qualification matches for such events. In general, any international match of the Czech ice hockey or football national team draws attention, especially when played against a traditional rival: Germany in football; Russia, Sweden and Canada in ice hockey; and Slovakia in both.

Both summer and winter Olympic games are also very popular.

Ice hockey

The Czech national team

:"Main article: Czech national hockey team"

The Czech national team is one of the top teams in the world, regularly attending the World Championship, the Winter Olympic Games and the Euro Hockey Tour. As well, the national team captured their first Olympic Gold at the 1998 Games in Nagano. Prominent Czech players include Dominik Hašek, Jaromír Jágr and Tomáš Kaberle.

Extraliga

:"Main article: Czech Extraliga"

Extraliga is the highest ranking ice hockey competition in the Czech Republic.

Football

Other team sports

Individual sports

The Olympic games

Youth sport

Arenas and stadiums

List of important czech arenas and stadiums:

Stadion Eden

Loacated in Prague Vršovice. Stadion Eden provides 21.000 seated places. It is home stadium for SK Slavia Praha, czech football team. Opened on 7th April 2008.

O2 Arena

Located in Prague Vysočany. O2 arena is the czech largest multi-functional hall. It's capacity is 18.000 seats. HC Slavia Prague is playing their games there.