About Czech Republic

Jiri Kotrba has been announced as the new coach of troubled Marila
Pribram, returning to the job he held between 1998 and 2002. The
48-year-old coach told reporters that he wanted to help Pribram because
of his "great friendship" with owner Jaroslav Starka, who is currently
facing murder and abduction charges.

Dynamo Ceske Budejovice, where Kotrba has been running youth football
operations, had initially tried to block his appointment but later
agreed to the move. Prior to that, Kotrba coached Brno, but was sacked
in October 2005 following a run of bad results.

In terms of number of top-flight Czech league games in charge, Kotrba is
the Gambrinus Liga's most experienced coach, but faces a difficult task
ensuring that Pribram - currently second from the bottom of the
Gambrinus Liga - avoid relegation.

Kotrba is Pribram's third coach of the season. Following Pavel Tobias's
sacking, in September, replacement Frantisek Barat was only able to take
the job for six months, because he lacked the necessary coaching
license. Barat will now return to the reserve team.

Posted by Mikes at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Prague- The Czech crown slid to both the euro and the US dollar today, following the region, the Patria Online server said.

The crown lost almost 20 hellers to Kc27.65 per euro and almost 30 hellers to Kc21.12 to the dollar.

Komercni banka analyst Jan Vejmelek said sentiment in the region was negative because of the dollar's gains and a weakening Polish zloty.

The zloty has slid after the nomination of Slawomir Skrzypek for the post of central bank governor, which was a negative surprise for the market.

The dollar firmed to $1.3098 per euro by 4:30 p.m. today. On Friday, the dollar may slide back on US jobs data, said Next Finance analyst Vladimir Pikora.

Source: CTK

Posted by Mikes at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Czech Under-21 international Martin Knakal is leaving Viktoria Plzen for
Greek side Skoda Xanthi, for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old
defender has signed a five-year deal with Xanthi.

Posted by Mikes at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Roman Pros, who, together with brother Stanislav Pros, owns 1.FC Brno,
has announced that he's considering entering a "strategic partnership"
with a Russian investor, with a view to possibly selling the club. The
news follows a decision by Brno city council to invest in local
second-tier ice hockey club Kometa rather than in the cash-strapped
soccer team. In a decision that has angered the Pros brothers, the
council have agreed to pay Kometa 45 million crowns over the next three
years.

Posted by Mikes at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Prague/Opava, North Moravia - The unique Czech radar system Věra can operate in NATO Response Force which can intervene anywhere in the world if need be, Commander Petr Milčický from the 53rd passive systems and electronic fight centre in Opava told on Tuesday.

From January 1, the unit is ready to be deployed within 5,000 nautical miles from the Czech Republic by 20 days, Milčický said.

The specialized unit is equipped with the mobile version of the Vera surveillance system. Before it was prepared for the Response Force, the troops had to undergo a difficult training, which started three years ago, he added.

"Repeated participation in the exercises of NATO's ground, air and sea forces was part of the preparation for being included in the Alliance forces," Milčický said.

The last exercise took place in the Andravida air base in Greece in November. The prowess of Czech soldiers was also checked by an international team of test commissioners, he added.

NATO Response Force (NRF) is a special multinational unit established at the NATO summit in Prague in November 2002.

One test version of Věra has been bought by the USA and the system was also bought by Estonia. China wanted to buy six sets worth about 1.5 billion crowns. However, at Washington's insistence, the Czech government did not permit the deal.

The radar, which can also detect U.S. stealth aircraft, is produced by Era located in Pardubice, east Bohemia. The system does not emit, but only receives and processes signals.

It can uncover the presence of a foreign radar and determine its type without being uncovered itself. It can monitor up to 200 planes at a time and it can determine very precisely the distance and altitude of the target.

Source: http://www.czech.cz/news/news_detail.aspx?id=9823-Czech-V%C4%9Bra-radar-system-ready-for-NATO-Response-Force-

Posted by Mikes at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

17th International Travel Trade Fair
GO and REGIONTOUR 2007
11. - 14. 1. 2007
Brno - Exhibition Centre

The topics in preparation for the year 2007 will be highlighted at the expositions as well as within the accompanying programme of the fairs. These include education in the spheres of tourist industry and golf tourism in the Czech Republic, the latter globally gaining in popularity.

REGIONTOUR, detailed information will be available about the Czech Republic as a new Central Europe golf destination, offering continuously developing golf infrastructure of high quality.

Posted by Mikes at 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Having returned from a four-day trial in England, Slavia Praha
goalkeeper Matus Kozacik is optimistic about his chances of a move to
second tier Leeds United. According to the 22-year-old Slovak, the Leeds
coach was impressed with his goalkeeping skills. "If Leeds offer good
conditions, then I think I would give it a try," he told the Czech
media. "It would be a good prospect, and a move up a level. I'm very
attracted by England."

Posted by Mikes at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Petr Cech's recovery from a fractured skull is progressing faster than
expected, according to agent Pavel Zika, and the Chelsea and Czech
Republic goalkeeper could resume regular training by the middle of January.

Cech is currently working on his fitness, Zika told the CTK news agency,
and is due for a medical examination at the beginning of next month, at
the Oxford hospital where he underwent surgery. If all goes well, the
24-year-old could then begin regular goalkeeping training.

Posted by Mikes at 6:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Following interest from Middlesbrough, Brno's Martin Lejsal may become
the latest Czech goalkeeper to play in the English Premier League. The
two clubs were due to begin negotiations about the 24-year-old's future
today.

Speaking to the Mlada fronta Dnes newspaper, however, Lejsal - who's
currently recovering from an operation on his nose - described the
negotiations as "a big surprise" and said that he would prefer to remain
with Brno - possibly on loan - until the summer.

Last year, while playing in Italy, Lejsal was banned for six months for
his part in a corruption scandal, but since returning to the Czech
league he's been in excellent form.

Posted by Mikes at 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Directed by: Jirí Menzel
Novel: Bohumil Hrabal

New movie in Czech Cinemas. Main plot is the life of waiter and his success and disapointments.

Credit Cast:
Ivan Barnev .... Jan Díte
Julia Jentsch .... Liza
Oldrich Kaiser .... Jan Díte

Posted by Mikes at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Second division Vitkovice have sacked coach Vaclav Danek and assistant
Dusan Vrto following a run of poor results. According to the club, their
replacements will be announced in the next few days. The Ostrava area
club ended the autumn section of the season only three points above the
relegation zone.

Posted by Mikes at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the final FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of the year. The Czech
national team remain 10th. Brazil continue to top the list, ahead of
Italy and Argentina. The Czechs' main Euro qualification rivals Germany
are ranked sixth.

Top Ten Countries:
1 Brazil 1588 0 0
2 Italy 1560 0 0
3 Argentina 1551 0 0
4 France 1523 0 0
5 England 1359 0 0
6 Germany 1350 0 2
7 Netherlands 1305 0 0
8 Portugal 1258 0 0
9 Nigeria 1244 0 2
10 Czech Republic 1190 0 0

Posted by Mikes at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Prague's Sazka Arena is set to stage an eight-team "Vikend sampionu"
("Weekend of Champions") indoor football tournament, on the weekend of
January 13th-14th.

Along with Sparta Praha, Slavia Praha, Slovan Liberec, Mlada Boleslav,
and Bohemians 1905, three Czech-coached foreign teams are scheduled to
take part - Polish cup-winners Wisla Plock (coached by Josef Csaplar),
Slovak champions Ruzomberok (Frantisek Komnacky), and Hungarian side
Debrecin (Miroslav Beranek).

The winning team will pick up 300,000 crowns in prize money. Games will
be played over two 15-minute halves, and rather than have throw-ins, the
court will be equipped with boards.

Posted by Mikes at 6:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Famous american writer finaly decided to visit Prague.

As a part of his visit, he will be reading from his new book Specimen Days.

Basic Facts: Michael Cunningham (born November 6, 1952) is an award-winning American writer/novelist, best known for his 1998 Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Hours.

Posted by Mikes at 6:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)