sport

In my home country, Slovakia, ice hockey is one of the national sports. Many people follow the ice hockey leagues and in their free time chase the little black thing called a puck. In May, during the Ice Hockey World Championship, the whole country follows the games of the national team. Actually, for two weeks we turn out to have 5.5 million experts ready to stand up for the team's manager.

Here in England, the football fools, rugby lads and cricket crazies do not care about ice hockey. But the eastern Europeans would not back down from their sport, nor would they abandon beer and vodka. Therefore I took the chance to experience the ice hockey atmosphere in a pub with a live screening.

Every year in May, the Famous Three Kings in West Kensington turns into an ice hockey den. I do not know why, and not even the most frequent visitors could tell me, but the pub is a meeting place for Slovaks. Long before the match, you could her Slovak hits from the jukebox- Elan, Peha, Palo Habera, No Name....Google the bands.

We played Russia and needed to win if we wanted our quarter final dream to live on. The atmosphere was excellent, but a friend reckoned that it was even better during last year's final when we took the silver medal. Today we lost, but the match was dramatic.

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. Today he looks at Alex Ferguson retiring, the importance of sleep and jelly wrestling at Cambridge. 

Fergie Retiring

Alex Ferguson retired after 26 years as manager of Manchester United yesterday.

"In the world of professional football, Sir Alex Ferguson is a synonym for longevity and permanence.

Yesterday I was walking in Westfield and came across an exhibition of photographs, capturing the most important moments in the history of the UEFA Champions League. Right in the entrance I was almost run over Liverpool players celebrating their triumph in 2005. Alongside that, I could not overlook the unforgettable Manchester United triumph from 1999, with David Beckham's blonde hair hidden behind the much bigger stars of that era.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly visible. His connection with Man Utd is even bigger than Paolo Maldini and AC Milan, who is also seen hoisting the trophy in the photo from 2003.

The sporting world was shocked this morning when Manchester United announced that Sir Alex Ferguson would be retiring at the end of this season- in less than two weeks time. After 26 years as manager, bringing unprecedented success, many football fans only know United with 'Fergie' in charge.

Unexpected rumours around his retirement started to swirl last night, before an official announcement was made by the club this morning. The statement revealed that Ferguson's last match will be in the league against West Brom on Sunday 19th May, after which he will step down as manager and take up the role as a United director and ambassador for the club.

Ferguson's Final Statement:

Ferguson also released a statement, which read as follows:

"The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news from Boston". After the tragedy at the Boston Marathon, were you present at the London marathon to show your support or were you concerned about your own safety?

The media have concentrated their focus on the Boston Marathon in the last week. The news came to me on the many social networks. The web community seemed really affected, and has sent their prayers to the family and friends of the victims and injured.

Were the runners of the London Marathon scared? What about the hundreds of thousands of spectators? I do not know. One sure thing is that the Marathon did not get cancelled. The race from Greenwich Park to the mall (a 26 mile run) is a celebration for all running amateurs, passionate sportspeople and talents who take part in the event. It is a day of enjoyment planned every year.

Security was rearranged for the event as London mayor Boris Johnson had spoken to police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe "about the possibility of extra security for the London Marathon" for prudence. No less than 36,000 runners participated in the event.

In my country, rugby has no tradition at all, which is pity, because I think it is one of the best games in the world. I like it, although I have never actually played it.

Recently, during my Cambridge visit, I saw a bunch of guys playing rugby in a park. They reminded my of my high school P.E. lessons, when we would play football outside regardless of the harsh conditions. Although rugby does not have any tradition in Slovakia, in passion we matched the guys from Cambridge. And that matters. Such sports should teach young men fair play, build fortitude and improve physique. They are part of the curriculum of most of the schools in England. In Slovakia, the most popular school game is football (soccer).

There are only a few American Football teams in Slovakia. Actually, many people back there do not differentiate between Rugby and its "commercial" brother - American Football. Once someone allowed the players to pass the ball forward, dressed them in protective gear so that they look like Darth Vader and filled their heads with pre-learned tactics. And this is how American Football was born. I can not help, but to me it comes across as a game more connected with the commercial culture of eating up hamburgers than the original spirit of sport.