Sports News
Czech cross-country skiing fans were disappointed on Sunday, when Katerina Neummanova decided at the last moment not to take part in the traditional Jizerska padesatka. In ski jumping, Jakub Janda came third in a World Cup competition at Liberec, north Bohemia. Of the three Czechs in action at tennis's Australian Open, only one has made it to the second round, but another six Czech players take part in first round games on Tuesday. And Jaromir Jagr has equalled his personal best tally with three goals and four assists for the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
Neumannova decides at last minute to skip this year's Jizerska padesatka
"I decided on Saturday not to take part, not because I didn't want to, but because I have a bit of a cold and a chest infection and have difficulty breathing. So it was for health reasons but otherwise I definitely would have taken part. The conditions were perfect and I wanted to have a pleasant ski."
The Jizerska padesatka was won by Sweden's Oskar Svard, with Czech favourite Stanislav Rezac coming second.
Janda first Czech medal-winner in ski jumping in almost four years
In ski jumping, Jakub Janda was the first Czech to make it onto the podium in almost four years on Saturday, when he came third in a World Cup competition at Liberec, north Bohemia. Janda said the fact he was very familiar with the jump had helped him a lot. Sunday's competition in Liberec was cancelled due to strong wind.
Czech tennis stars line up for Australian Open
The first tennis Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, has just got under way in Melbourne, with three Czech players in action so far: Denisa Chladkova is through to the second round, after beating Cara Black of Zimbabwe 6:3 6:0. Libuse Prusova meanwhile had a short first appearance at the Australian Open, losing 6:2 6:2 to Anne Kremer of Luxembourg. Jan Vacek is also out, after losing in three sets to Karol Kucera of Slovakia. Tuesday will be an exciting day for Czech tennis fans, with no fewer than six Czechs in action. Men's number one Jiri Novak - a semi-finalist last year, and seeded seventh - takes on Vincent Spadea of the United States, Jiri Vanek faces James Blake, also of the US, Radek Stepanek plays Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen and Klara Koukalova will be up against Maria Sharapova of Russia. The most interesting tie could be the "derby" between Czech women's number one Daja Bedanova and number three Iveta Benesova.
Koller eighth best striker in world in 2002 in FIFA rankings
The gigantic Czech football forward Jan Koller has been ranked the eighth best striker in the world last year. World footballs governing body FIFA make the rankings according to goals scored in internationals and cup competitions: Koller got five for the Czech Republic and six for Borussia Dortmund in the German cup in 2002.
Jagr equals personal best score tally
Czech ice hockey star Jaromir Jagr must be hoping his luck has changed after he equalled his personal best by notching up three goals and four assists for Washington in their 12:2 win over Florida on Saturday. Jagrs seven points in 37 minutes equalled his tally for the last 14 games for the Capitols. The Kladno-born winger has never shown his best form in a year and a half at Washington, and there has been speculation that he may leave the club.
Havirov finally get a win in Extraliga!
In the Czech ice hockey Extraliga, every game in the latest round was won by the home team, with the biggest upset a 1:0 victory over third-placed Vitkovice by bottom of the table Havirov, who only have 14 points from 39 games.
