Sports briefs

Hockey

CZECH REPUBLIC ADVANCES: At Grand Forks, Marek Schwarz helped the Czech Republic advance to the semifinals of the world junior championships, making 21 saves in a 3-0 victory over Finland on Saturday.

Petr Vrana, Rostislav Olesz and Roman Cervenka scored for the Czech Republic, which will face tournament favorite Canada in the semifinals today.

"We're very happy with the win," Schwarz said. "I've seen Canada play; they are very good. We're playing very well. I think we're ready to play them now."

In the other semifinal, Russia will face the winner of Saturday night's game between the United States and Sweden.

Running

NEW MARKS SET: In New York, Christian Hesch and Amy Rudolph set meet records at the New York Road Runners' New Year's Eve Midnight Run in Central Park. Hesch of Morrow Bay, Calif., covered the 4-mile course in 18 minutes, 28 seconds — 8 seconds faster than his old mark, set a year ago. Rudolph of Providence, R.I., led the women in 21:17, easily breaking the previous record of 21:55.

Winter sports

LUGE WINNERS DONATE: Germany won the four-man team event in World Cup luge Saturday, then donated the $2,150 in prize money to the relief effort following the tsunami in southern Asia.

"We decided before the race to do that, so we were especially motivated to win," said David Moeller, the men's singles world champion.

Two other Germans, Andre Florschuetz and Torsten Wustlich, captured the men's two-seater race in which the U.S. team of Christian Niccum and Pat Quinn finished eighth.