Zlaté Moravce and Zvolen played to a scoreless draw in Slovak football league action. The result maintains the tight competition at the top of the table, with third-placed Zvolen and fourth-placed Liptovský Mikuláš both trailing the leaders by just one point.
Mircea Lucescu has resigned as Romania's national football coach following the team's unsuccessful World Cup qualifying playoff campaign. Romania was eliminated in the semifinal of the playoff by Turkey, losing 1-0, before playing out a friendly match against Slovakia in Bratislava on Tuesday, which they lost 2-0. The defeat to Turkey ended Romania's hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, prompting Lucescu's departure from the national team bench.
Richard Carapaz, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics road cycling gold medalist, has undergone surgery but remains determined to compete in the upcoming Giro d'Italia. The Ecuadorian cyclist is considered among the favorites to win the prestigious Italian Grand Tour. Details about the nature of the surgery or the extent of Carapaz's injury were not disclosed, though his intention to participate in one of cycling's three major tours suggests his recovery is progressing according to plan.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has voiced concerns about the state of stadium infrastructure in Italy ahead of the 2032 European Championship. Italy must submit a list of five stadiums by October that will host Europe's top national teams during the tournament. Currently, 11 stadiums are under consideration as candidates, including venues in Milan, Naples, and Rome. The concerns highlight potential challenges Italy faces in meeting UEFA's infrastructure standards for one of football's premier international tournaments.
Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovský, Slovakia's top NHL prospect, has shown significant improvement in his play this season according to recent statistical analysis. The 20-year-old Slovak player's enhanced performance was particularly evident in a recent game against Tampa Bay, where he demonstrated improved playmaking ability by setting up teammate Cole Caufield with a pass to an empty net. Canadian media outlets have highlighted multiple statistics showing Slafkovský's development, suggesting he has moved beyond trying to emulate the physical style of players like Brady Tkachuk and is instead focusing on his own strengths. The statistical improvements mark a positive development for the former first overall draft pick, who has faced scrutiny since being selected by Montreal in 2022.
The St. Louis Blues, featuring Slovak player Dvorský in their lineup, suffered a 2-1 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Kings in their latest NHL matchup. In other NHL action, Macklin Celebrini delivered a standout performance for the San Jose Sharks, contributing two goals and two assists in a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. The results highlight the ongoing competitive nature of the current NHL season, with several games decided by narrow margins.
The New York Knicks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 130-119, with Karl-Anthony Towns achieving a triple-double performance. In another NBA game, the Boston Celtics dominated the Miami Heat 147-129, setting a new franchise record by scoring 53 points in the first quarter alone.
Adam Gajan, a Slovak goalkeeper from Skalica, has signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. The 21-year-old's journey to the NHL began four years ago when, as a 17-year-old playing for Skalica's junior team, he set up a camera behind the goal during training sessions to record himself in action. He then sent these self-made videos to teams across North America in hopes of securing an opportunity to play professionally. Gajan's unconventional approach to self-promotion has now paid off with his first NHL contract, marking a significant achievement for the young Slovak netminder who pursued his American hockey dream through determination and creative marketing of his abilities.
Russian forward Nikita Kucherov was named the NHL's top star for March despite missing two games during the month, after leading all players in scoring productivity. He was joined by defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Pavel Zacha as the league's three stars of the month. The monthly awards recognize the best performing players across the National Hockey League based on their statistical achievements and overall impact during March.
English police arrested a football fan for directing racist abuse at visiting player Lutsharel Geertruida during a match. The incident involved shouting racist slurs at Geertruida, who is Black. The arrest demonstrates English football's ongoing efforts to combat racism in stadiums, where fans can face criminal charges for discriminatory behavior toward players.
Alexandra Rexová, Slovakia's most successful Paralympic athlete and gold medalist, has delivered a scathing critique of the country's Paralympic sports system, describing it as chronically unhealthy and toxic. Rexová, who has achieved Slovakia's highest Paralympic honors, highlighted widespread unprofessionalism and resistance to change within the system, which she says is wasting promising athletic talent. The Paralympic champion's criticism exposes deep structural problems in how Slovakia manages and develops its disability sports programs, raising questions about whether meaningful reforms can be implemented to improve conditions for current and future Paralympic athletes.
Slovak hockey defenseman Štrbák has signed a three-year rookie contract with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. The signing comes after Štrbák established himself as a productive player, recording 18 points in 37 games during the 2025-26 season, making him the second-highest scoring defenseman on his team. The contract represents a significant step for the Slovak player as he transitions to North America's premier hockey league.
The fourth phase of ticket sales for the World Championship experienced technical difficulties as it launched. Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis during this sales period.
Piešťany and Ružomberok have taken commanding 2-0 leads in their respective basketball semifinal series. Meanwhile, Trenčín has been relegated to playoff competition. In women's basketball, YOUNG ANGELS secured their position to compete for fifth place after defeating CBK Košice 73-54 in the second meeting of their eastern Slovak derby.
Dunajská Streda's handball team suffered their first defeat of the season, falling to Czech side Sokol Písek by a score of 32-40. The Slovak team had previously maintained an unbeaten record before this setback. Písek's victory ended their own three-game losing streak and moved them up to sixth place in the standings.
Austrian coach Mitter has been appointed as the new trainer of the German national team. The appointment comes after Horngacher, who had coached the German representatives for seven years and led them to multiple titles, stepped down from the position.
Italian cyclist Filippo Ganna won the Dwars door Vlaanderen cycling race, with Slovak rider Lukáš Kubiš finishing in 11th place. Belgian favorite Wout van Aert, racing on home soil, came second after another unsuccessful long-distance breakaway attempt, while Norwegian Sören Wärenskjold of Uno-X Mobility rounded out the podium in third place. Dwars door Vlaanderen is a major one-day cycling race in Belgium's Flanders region, part of the prestigious spring classics season that attracts the world's top cyclists.
More than 5,000 runners have registered for the 78th edition of the Devín-Bratislava race, one of Slovakia's most traditional running events. The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 19. The Devín-Bratislava race is an annual long-distance running event that connects the historic Devín Castle area with Slovakia's capital, making it one of the country's oldest and most popular athletic competitions.
Slovakia's national football team was eliminated from World Cup qualification after losing 4-3 to Kosovo in the playoff semi-final. The defeat exposed deeper problems within the Slovak squad, which despite having undeniable quality, lacks stability, mental resilience and the ability to handle crucial moments. The loss represents more than just an unfortunate match result, serving as a concentrated reflection of the team's current state and highlighting ongoing challenges in Slovak football during a critical period for the sport in the country.
Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky showcased his developing skills with two remarkable assists in his team's 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay Lightning, extending Montreal's winning streak to six games. The Slovak player's performance drew praise from Canadian commentators, who noted how he deceived multiple defenders with his passing ability. Goalkeeper Jakub Dobes also stood out for Montreal, making 36 saves to help secure the victory. The game highlighted Slafkovsky's continued improvement in the NHL, with his statistical performance backing up what was evident on the ice during key plays.