News: Sunday, May 26th, 2024

Czechia gearing up for hockey worlds final in Prague

People around the Czech Republic are gearing up for the final of the Ice Hockey World Championships at Prague’s O2 Arena on Sunday night. Czechia, which has been hosting the event in the capital and Ostrava, will take on Switzerland for the title after convincingly overcoming Sweden 7:3 in Saturday’s semi-final.

The final will be relayed on large screens on Prague’s Old Town Square and elsewhere, while pubs around the country showing the match can expect busy evenings.

The last time the Czechs won the Ice Hockey World Championships was in 2010.

Sweden semi gets fewer viewers than US quarter-final but higher share

Fewer TV viewers in Czechia watched Saturday’s Czech victory over Sweden in the semi-finals of the Ice Hockey World Championships than saw their quarter-finals win over the USA on Thursday.

However, Saturday’s game enjoyed a greater audience share, with over 72 percent of all viewers at that time following the game, a spokesperson for Czech Television told the Czech News Agency. This is the highest share for a hockey game since the championship, which has been taking place in Prague and Ostrava, began.

EU leaders to discuss Ukraine support with Fiala in Prague Tuesday

The leaders of a number of European Union states are due to come to Prague on Tuesday at the invitation of Czech PM Petr Fiala to discuss ammunition assistance for Ukraine, air defence for the country and cooperation in the defence industry.

A government spokesperson said on Sunday that Polish President Andrzej Duda, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliňová will attend a working dinner hosted by Mr. Fiala at the Kramář Villa, official residence of the Czech prime minister.

Lipavský to call for more effort to contain Russian imperialism at Prague NATO summit

The Czech minister of foreign affairs, Jan Lipavský, says he will urge his counterparts from NATO countries to increase their support for containing Russian imperialism at an informal summit in Prague next Thursday and Friday. Mr. Lipavský made the comment in a social media post responding to Russia’s bombing of a large DIY store in Kharkiv on Saturday.

The summit is being billed as the biggest NATO event in the Czech capital for 20 years and will be attended by the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, among others.

Annual Ride of Kings folk event held in Vlčnov, South Moravia

The annual Ride of the Kings folk celebration took place in Vlčnov in the Uherské Hradiště area, South Moravia, on Sunday. A nine-year-old boy, František Janča, was chosen as king, leading a procession on horseback through the village. Also taking part were young men, for whom the event signified their transition to manhood.

The Ride of the Kings is one of the most significant folk costumes in Czechia.

Jágr first active player inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame

Jaromír Jágr was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Ice Hockey Federation at a ceremony in Prague on Sunday. The Czech legend, who is 52, is the first non-retiree to be given the honour.

The Kladno owner and player is the most productive European NHL player ever, as well as a two-time world champion, Olympic champion and two-time winner of the Stanley Cup.

Also inducted was Jaroslav Pouzar, who is 72 and also won the Stanley Cup and world championships.

Weather forecast

It should be mainly overcast in Czechia on Monday, with an average high temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. The following days are expected to see similar, if slightly cooler, weather.