PRAGUE, May 2 - Banik Ostrava clinched their first
title in 23 years when they beat Sigma Olomouc 1-0 in the Czech
first division on Sunday with an early goal from Rene Bolf.
Banik now have an 11-point cushion over Slavia Prague,
Sparta Prague and Sigma with two games remaining. Both Slavia
and Sparta have a match in hand.
Sigma pushed Banik hard in the hope of securing the second
league spot, which would mean a chance to qualify for the
Champions League next season, but were let down by poor
finishing.
A goal from Sigma's Slovak striker Peter Babnic was
disallowed for offside early on before Bolf headed home Radoslav
Latal's corner in the 15th minute.
Attacking midfielder Miroslav Matusovic could have doubled
his side's tally early into the second half, but his shot from
the edge of the box hit the post.
Banik last won the title in the former Czechoslovakia in
1981. They are only the second champions from outside the
capital Prague since the 1993 beginning of the Czech League. The
others were Slovan Liberec in 2002.