Slovak striker David Strelec loses Premier League promotion final with Middlesbrough

Slovak striker David Strelec suffered disappointment at Wembley Stadium as his team FC Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Hull City in the Championship playoff final, missing out on promotion to England's Premier League. Strelec played until the 70th minute in the crucial match, with his teammates employing a direct style of play that frequently targeted the Slovak forward with long balls. The defeat occurred while many Slovaks were focused on their national ice hockey team's match against the Czech Republic at the World Championship. Middlesbrough's loss means they will remain in the Championship, England's second tier, for another season, while Hull City secured the lucrative promotion to the Premier League worth tens of millions of pounds in television revenue and prize money.