Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 13/06/2026 10:38 · 44 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Sport

View all1619 stories
Sport

Slovakia U21 Team Enters Kazakhstan Qualifier as Favorites

Slovakia's under-21 national football team heads into their upcoming qualification match in Kazakhstan as the favored side. Coach Jaroslav Kentoš's squad aims to maintain their perfect record against opponents from lower-ranked performance tiers in the qualification campaign. The match represents another opportunity for the young Slovak players to demonstrate their superiority over teams considered to be from weaker football nations in their qualifying group.

|
Sport

Slovakia Faces Crucial World Cup Playoff as Coach's Contract Expires

Slovakia's national football team enters a decisive World Cup playoff double-header that could determine both the country's participation in next summer's tournament and coach Francesco Calzona's future. The Slovaks face Kosovo on March 26 and either Turkey or Romania on March 31, with victories in both matches securing qualification for the World Cup in North America. Calzona, who described the playoff as a "very important" and "historic moment," faces additional pressure as his contract expires this month if the team suffers a single defeat. The matches represent Slovakia's opportunity to reach their first World Cup since 2010, when they advanced to the round of 16 in South Africa.

|
Sport

Slovak Player Sýkora Makes NHL Debut as Rangers Fall to Maple Leafs 4-3

Slovak hockey player Sýkora made his National Hockey League debut with the New York Rangers, wearing number 38 in their 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The rookie played 13 minutes and 33 seconds, recorded three shots on goal, one blocked shot, and finished with a minus-2 rating in his first game in the world's premier hockey league. The defeat eliminated the Rangers from playoff contention, ending their postseason hopes for this season.

|
Sport

Slovan Bratislava Advances in Slovak Football After Defeating Liptovský Mikuláš

Slovan Bratislava has advanced to the next round of Slovak football competition after defeating FK Liptovský Mikuláš in a two-leg tie. The Bratislava-based club secured progression with home victories of 3-0 and 2-1, followed by away results of 2-1 and 3-2 in Liptovský Mikuláš. Following the elimination, a representative from the Liptov region team expressed hopes that Slovan would go on to win the title, stating "let them have it, since they knocked us out." Slovan Bratislava is Slovakia's most successful football club and regularly competes in European competitions, while FK Liptovský Mikuláš represents the northern Slovak town in the country's lower divisions.

|
Sport

Tampa Bay's Hedman to Miss Games for Personal Reasons

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman will be absent from the team for personal reasons, though the organization has not provided specific details about his absence. The 35-year-old defenseman, who plays alongside Slovak defenseman Erik Černák, had previously missed games from November to January due to an elbow injury that required surgery. Hedman is a key player for the Lightning, who won Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.

|
Sport

Slovan Bratislava Advances to Semifinals After Fourth Victory Over Lithuanian Team

Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia's premier ice hockey club, secured their fourth consecutive victory against a Lithuanian opponent to advance to the semifinals of their competition. The Bratislava-based team, known as the "Blues," took an early lead through a goal by Pecara, but the Lithuanian side managed to equalize in the first period with a goal from Tritt. Despite the early setback, Slovan maintained their winning streak to progress to the next round of the tournament.

|
Sport

Slovakia's Škriniar Racing Against Time for Kosovo Match, Ďuriš Suffers Shoulder Dislocation

Slovakia national team captain Milan Škriniar is racing against time to be fit for the upcoming match against Kosovo, while teammate Dávid Ďuriš has suffered a shoulder dislocation. Head coach Francesco Calzona has thoroughly analyzed the Kosovo team ahead of the Nations League fixture. The injuries add uncertainty to Slovakia's preparation for the match, with Škriniar's availability particularly crucial given his leadership role and defensive importance for the national team.

|
Sport

Benfica Fined for Racist Fan Behavior During Champions League Match

Portuguese football club Benfica has been sanctioned with a fine following racist displays by some of their supporters during a Champions League knockout stage match. Television footage captured fans making monkey gestures after Real Madrid's 1-0 victory in the first leg of the tie. The incident occurred during the high-profile European competition match, with the discriminatory behavior clearly visible on broadcast coverage of the game.

|
Sport

Slovak Football League Newcomer Collapses Amid Financial Crisis and Management Chaos

A newly promoted team in Slovakia's top football league has fallen into crisis, plagued by an oversized squad, insufficient funding, and chaotic management practices. The club's struggles became apparent through frequent coaching changes that revealed deeper structural problems within the organization. The situation highlights the financial pressures facing smaller clubs attempting to compete at Slovakia's highest level of professional football.

|
Sport

Meillard leads after first run of slalom finale in Hafjell

Swiss skier Loic Meillard holds the lead after the first run of the season-ending slalom race in Hafjell, Norway. The 2026 Olympic champion finished 0.67 seconds ahead of Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. The final run will determine the overall winner of the World Cup slalom finale at the Norwegian venue.

|
Sport

Anaheim Ducks Captain Gudas Apologizes for Hit on Matthews

Radko Gudas, captain of the Anaheim Ducks, has apologized for a controversial hit that resulted in a five-game suspension from the National Hockey League. The incident involved Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, though specific details of the play were not disclosed. The NHL's disciplinary action reflects the severity of the incident, as five-game suspensions are typically reserved for significant violations of league rules regarding player safety.

|
Sport

Slovakia Two Steps Away from First World Cup Since 2010

Slovak footballers are two steps away from qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time in 16 years. The national team has not appeared at a World Cup since the 2010 tournament in South Africa, where they reached the round of 16 in their debut appearance. The current qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents Slovakia's best chance in over a decade to return to football's biggest stage. Slovakia defender David Hancko has warned his teammates about the threat posed by opposing striker Muriqi, suggesting upcoming crucial matches will determine whether the team can end their long World Cup absence.

|
Sport

Slovak NHL Star Slafkovsky Extends Scoring Streak to Seven Games

Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovsky extended his point-scoring streak to seven games in the National Hockey League, playing a crucial role in the Montreal Canadiens' comeback victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 20-year-old contributed an assist on the game-tying goal that made it 2-2 and scored the game-winning goal in the 3-2 comeback from a 0-2 deficit, ultimately helping Montreal secure a 5-2 victory. Slafkovsky's continued strong performance has sparked debate in Canadian hockey media about whether his line with teammates Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield might currently be the best offensive unit in the NHL. The first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft has exceeded expectations in his development, with analysts noting he appears to be outperforming his rookie contract value already in his second professional season.

|
Sport

Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko turns 50

Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko celebrated his 50th birthday. The Ukrainian boxer dominated the heavyweight division for years as a multiple-time world champion and long-time holder of unified titles. Klitschko was one of boxing's most successful heavyweight champions, alongside his older brother Vitali, and held multiple championship belts simultaneously during his career before retiring from professional boxing.

|
Sport

Garcia Plaza Appointed New Coach of Sevilla

Garcia Plaza has been named the new coach of Spanish football club Sevilla. The appointment marks a significant career development for Garcia Plaza, who began his coaching career at age 30 following a serious injury that ended his playing days.

|
Sport

Slovan Defeats Liptovský Mikuláš in Third Game of Series

Slovan Bratislava defeated Liptovský Mikuláš in the third game of their playoff series, breaking a scoreless tie that had reflected an evenly matched contest until the 15th minute. The victory extends Slovan's success in what appears to be a hockey playoff series between the Bratislava-based team and their opponents from the Liptov region in northern Slovakia.

|
Sport

Salah to Leave Liverpool at End of Season

Mohamed Salah will depart Liverpool at the end of the current season, leaving Anfield as one of the club's most decorated players. The Egyptian forward's exit marks the end of a highly successful tenure with the Premier League club, during which he established himself among Liverpool's greatest players through his numerous achievements and contributions to the team's success.

|