Football
The Czech national football team can be something of a dark horse,
occasionally displaying significant prowess in international events.
It will now compete in the 2006 World Cup.
In the domestic league, the First Division rivalry between Sparta
Praha and Slávia
Praha is very strong. Prague’s other First Division team,
FK Victoria Žižkov, is based at the Viktoria
Žižkov Stadium, Seifertova tøída, Prague
3 (telephone: (02) 2272 2045). Sparta Praha play at their own Letna
Stadium, Milady Horákové 98, Prague 7 (telephone:
(02) 2057 0323), while Slávia Praha play at the new Eden
Stadium, Vladivostoèká 1460/2, Prague 10 (telephone:
(02) 6731 1102).
Fitness Centres
Fitness centres are appearing everywhere – most are members
only and many have questionable levels of supervision. Luxury hotels
catering for the business travellers often are the best option for
visitors.
Fitness Club Intercontinental,
Námìstí Curieových 43/5 (telephone:
(02) 2488 1525; and Fitness Centre Hilton, Pobøežní
1, Prague 8 (telephone: (02) 2484 2913, both offer a good range
of workout machines and are open to non-residents. Other clubs include
Body Island,
Uruguayská 6, Vinohrady, Prague 2 (telephone: (02) 2251 7955;
and Sport Centrum, YMCA, Na Poøíèí
12 (telephone: (02) 2487 5811).
Golf
The Czech Republic is lacking in golf courses and Prague’s
only 18-hole course is members only, although some top hotels may
be able to arrange access, if given enough advance warning. Golf
Club Prague, Plzeòská, Prague 5 (telephone:
(02) 5721 5185), is a nine-hole course and driving range.
Ice skating
Skating is a popular sport, however, rinks are only open for one
or two-hour periods, usually at weekends.
Good rinks include Sportovní hala (HC
Sparta), Za elektrárnou 419, Prague 7 (telephone: (02)
7292 8273), and Vokovice, Za lány 1, Prague
6 (telephone: (02) 362 759).
From December, outdoor skating is popular at the reservoirs at
Divoká Šárka and Hostivaø.
Squash
Squashové centrum, 15 Václavské
námìstí (telephone: (02) 2400 9232), offers
an unbeatable central location. The three courts are open daily
until 23:00 and equipment is available for hire.
Swimming
With crowds of children and high chlorine levels at the municipal
pools, the pools in luxury hotels are often a better option. The
indoor pool at Aréal, Strahov Stadion,
Olympijská, Prague 6 (telephone: (02) 3301 4113), is used
by competitive swimmers and also offers sauna facilities. The
pool is closed during July and August. The YMCA,
Na Poøíèí 12 (telephone: (02) 2487
1111), for serious swimmers and is open until 22:00.
Tennis
The Czechs’ greatest sporting success has come from tennis,
with Ivan Lendl, Martina Navrátilová and Jana Novotná
regarded as national heroes.
Most courts are floodlit and open in the evening, some until 23:00.
Advance booking is essential. Tenisový klub Slávia
Prague, Letná Park, Prague 7 (telephone: (02)
3338 4033), has excellent floodlit clay courts, as well as fast-surface
indoor courts. Booking is essential at the Èeský
Lawn Tennis Klub, Ostrov Štranice 38, Hološovice,
Prague 7 (telephone: (02) 2481 0238), with six floodlit courts.
Tenis Club, Strìlecký Island
(ostrov), also hires courts to the public. |
