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Last refreshed: 28/06/2026 21:39 · 34 articles added
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Wimbledon Champion Vondroušová Banned Four Years for Refusing Doping Test

Czech tennis player Markéta Vondroušová, who won the Wimbledon women's singles title in 2023, has been handed a four-year ban from competition after refusing an unannounced doping control test. The incident occurred last December, when Vondroušová declined to provide a sample during a late-night out-of-competition test. Under anti-doping rules enforced by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and tennis's governing bodies, refusing or evading an unannounced doping test is treated as equivalent to a positive doping violation, carrying severe penalties. The four-year ban would effectively end Vondroušová's career at the highest level if upheld, as she would be in her late twenties before being eligible to return to professional competition.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

Burnley Defender Walker and Wife Announce Birth of Fifth Child

English Premier League defender Kyle Walker and his wife have announced the birth of their fifth child, marking a new chapter for the couple after their private life faced intense scrutiny from British media. Walker, who plays for Burnley, had been at the center of tabloid attention in recent years over his personal affairs. The arrival of the new baby signals the couple's effort to move forward together.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

World's Top Tennis Players to Return to Bratislava, Promoter Confirms

The world's best tennis players made their competitive debut in Slovakia, and the event's promoter has promised they will return to Bratislava. The exhibition or tournament appearance marked a significant moment for Slovak tennis fans, bringing elite international talent to the country's capital. Promoter Šulc confirmed plans for a follow-up event, signaling that Bratislava is becoming an established stop for top-level professional tennis.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

Slovak Olympic Archer Denisa Hurban Baránková Dies at 24 After Parking Lot Accident

Slovak national archery team member Denisa Hurban Baránková, 24, has died following an accident in a parking lot in Petržalka, a residential district of Bratislava, on Sunday evening. Hurban Baránková was a representative of Slovakia in competitive archery and had competed at the Olympic level. The incident claimed her life in what Slovak sports circles are describing as a devastating loss for the country's archery community.

AktualityBratislavak
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Sport

Slovak Sprinter Zapletalová Eyes World Record as Šatan Set for Re-election as Ice Hockey Federation Chief

Slovak athlete Emma Zapletalová is in the spotlight this week following her performance in Ostrava, Czech Republic, where comments made after the competition have raised expectations about a potential world record attempt. Zapletalová, one of Slovakia's most promising track and field athletes, has drawn significant attention based on a key statement from Tuesday's event that analysts say signals whether a record-breaking effort is within reach. Elsewhere in Slovak sports, Miroslav Šatan — a former NHL star and current president of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation (SZĽH), the body that governs ice hockey in Slovakia — is expected to be re-elected to that position, indicating continued confidence in his leadership of the sport in the country. On the tennis front, the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, are reportedly making a return to the court, a development that has attracted interest across the global sports community.

Dennik N
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Sport

Florida Panthers Unite Tkachuk Brothers After Brady Trade from Ottawa

The Florida Panthers, the NHL's reigning powerhouse, have reunited brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk on the same roster after acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators. The trade brings together one of hockey's most prominent families on a single team, with Florida sending three assets to Ottawa in exchange for Brady, who had served as the Senators' captain. The Panthers had already made waves earlier by signing veteran forward Brad Marchand, a player widely known for his physical, provocative style of play — similar to the Tkachuk brothers' aggressive approach to the game. Florida's strategy of assembling a roster of elite, combative stars has raised concerns among analysts that the NHL risks becoming a league dominated by only a handful of wealthy, ambitious franchises. Matthew Tkachuk has already been central to Florida's recent championship success, and the addition of his brother Brady is expected to make the Panthers an even more formidable opponent. The deal underscores a growing competitive imbalance in the league, as smaller-market teams like Ottawa lose cornerstone players to better-resourced rivals.

Dennik N
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Sport

Dutch Player Nijman Wins Inaugural Slovak Darts Open in Bratislava

Dutch darts player Jermaine Nijman claimed victory at the first-ever Slovak Darts Open held in Bratislava, marking his second European Tour title of the year. The nearly 26-year-old maintains a perfect record in European Tour finals, having won every such match he has contested. The Slovak Darts Open is part of the European Tour, a major professional darts competition circuit that brings top international players to venues across the continent.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

World Cup Day 11: Iran Goalkeeper's Remarkable Life Story Behind a Stunning Save

The 11th day of the FIFA World Cup brought standout performances and compelling human stories, with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand emerging as the player of the day. Beiranvand, who once fled his family and lived on the streets before rising to professional football, drew widespread attention not only for his shot-stopping ability but for the extraordinary personal journey behind his career. Also notable on day 11 was Cape Verde earning their second hard-fought point in the tournament, a result described as fully deserved. Group H saw Spain face Saudi Arabia among the day's headline fixtures.

Dennik N
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Sport

Slovak Junior Fencer Tománková Wins European Cup Event in Berlin

Slovak junior fencer Tománková claimed victory at a European Cup junior competition held in Berlin. After receiving a bye in the first round, she advanced through the tournament and defeated Switzerland's Melody Veillard in the second round with three scoring attacks, ultimately winning the event.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

Norway Face Senegal at FIFA World Cup in Crucial Second Group Stage Match

Norway play their second match at the FIFA World Cup against Senegal in a game scheduled for Monday night into Tuesday. The match draws attention to Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker considered one of the world's best players, and whether Norway's national team can finally prove worthy of his talent on the international stage — a question that has lingered in football discussions since at least 2009.

Dennik N
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Sport

MTBIKER Festival at Domaša Reservoir to Feature Cycling, Night Race and New Running Event in 2026

The MTBIKER Festival, an annual outdoor sports event held at the Domaša reservoir in eastern Slovakia, will return in 2026 for its 18th edition with an expanded three-day programme. The festival will include the traditional Okolo Domaše cycling race, a night-time road cycling peloton event on asphalt, and hundreds of test bikes available for participants to try. New to the lineup is the Garmin Domaša Run, a running race that broadens the festival's appeal beyond cycling enthusiasts. The Domaša reservoir, located in the Vranov nad Topľou district of eastern Slovakia, is a popular recreational destination and a regular backdrop for regional sporting events.

Košice Dnes
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Sport

Spain Cruise Past Saudi Arabia 4-0 but World Cup Expansion Sparks Debate

Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 at the expanded FIFA World Cup, but the result has reignited debate about whether the tournament's enlarged format is good for the sport. After two matches against significantly weaker opponents, Spain have collected four points, a 4-0 goal difference, and are nearly certain to advance to the knockout rounds — even if they finish third in their group. That safety net exists because the tournament now features 48 national teams divided into 12 groups, with the eight best third-placed sides also progressing. Critics argue this format dilutes competition, as top sides like Spain face little meaningful challenge in the group stage, while weaker teams such as Saudi Arabia benefit from guaranteed exposure on the global stage. The debate touches on broader questions about whether FIFA's expansion of the World Cup — which grew from 32 teams to 48 starting with this edition — prioritizes commercial interests over sporting quality.

Dennik N
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Sport

Serena Williams Receives Wimbledon Wild Card for Singles Draw

Tennis legend Serena Williams has been granted a wild card entry into the singles competition at Wimbledon. Williams, one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a seven-time Wimbledon champion, last played a singles match at the 2022 US Open, where she was eliminated in the third round by Australian player Ajla Tomljanovic. A wild card entry allows tournament organizers to invite players directly into the draw, bypassing the standard ranking-based qualification process — a common practice used to include high-profile or returning players.

TASR/Teraz
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Ajax Parts Ways With Coach Garcia After Disappointing Season

Dutch football club Ajax has ended its partnership with head coach Francesco Garcia following an underwhelming season. The 53-year-old Spanish manager had taken charge of the first team in March, after club management reassigned his predecessor Fred Grim to the youth academy. Garcia's tenure proved short-lived, as the club determined a change in direction was necessary following the season's poor results.

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Sport

Nitra Claims Third Place with Convincing Win Over Přerov

Slovak basketball club Nitra secured third place in a decisive match against Czech side Přerov, winning 48–28 in front of nearly 800 spectators. The home team started slowly, with the first quarter ending in a 7–7 draw, but Nitra pulled away strongly in the subsequent periods to claim a comfortable 20-point victory.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

Slovakia's Nosková Wins Berlin Title, Defeats Pegula in Final

Slovak tennis player Rebecca Nosková claimed her second professional title after defeating American player Jessica Pegula in the final of the WTA tournament in Berlin. The match came after organizers were forced to evacuate the venue, clear debris, and repair damaged infrastructure at the Steffi Graf Stadium following a severe storm with heavy rain and strong winds that struck the facility.

TASR/Teraz
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Sport

Slovak Women's Volleyball Team Books Euro Championship Spot with Perfect Record

Slovakia's women's volleyball team secured qualification for the European Championship after defeating Georgia 3-0, capping an unbeaten run through their qualifying group. The Slovaks finished with a perfect 18 points from six matches, dropping only two sets throughout the entire qualifying campaign — a dominant performance that earned them their berth at the continental tournament.

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