Czech tabloid offers San Marino reward for victory

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech newspaper Blesk is offering San Marino's struggling soccer team one million crowns ($57,410) if they can beat Slovenia on Wednesday and help the Czech Republic go through to next year's World Cup.

The Czechs are in third place in European qualifying Group Three, two points shy of Slovenia and four behind group leaders Slovakia.

They could move up into the runners-up spot if they beat Northern Ireland in the final qualifier and bottom team San Marino cause a major upset by beating Slovenia. San Marino have yet to win in nine matches and have scored only once while conceding 44 goals.

"Blesk is offering a contribution to make the final day of qualification a happy one: a prize of one million crowns to the San Marinesi for a win over Slovenia!," the tabloid said.

San Marino captain Andy Selva told Blesk the offer was interesting. "We will do the maximum for a win but our biggest problem is that we rarely score a goal," he said.

(Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)