Sports News

In Sports News: leading Czech cross country skier Katerina Neumannova wins the first World Cup event of her career in front of home fans; little known Czech tennis player Ivo Minar is knocked out in the final of the Sydney International; Sparta Prague football club find out this week if they are to be investigated for corruption; this year's Dakar Rally is one to forget for Czech drivers; and Robert Lang is not, after all, going to play in the Czech ice hockey league.

Neummanova wins 13th World Cup race - in front of home fans

Katerina Neumannova, photo: CTK

The leading Czech cross country skier Katerina Neumannova has achieved a lot in her career, but winning a World Cup race on "home snow" in the Czech Republic was something she never managed to do. Until Saturday, that is, when Neumannova won the 10 km free race in front of 22,000 Czech fans in Nove Mesto na Morave. She was beaming with joy after the race:

"I've won 12 World Cup races in my career I think, but winning at home is something else entirely, and I'm so happy I managed it. Sometimes I lose energy towards the end of a race but today I managed to hold on, so of course I'm satisfied. And I'd like to thank all the fans."

Sudova proves moguls win was no flash in the pan

Nikola Sudova, photo: CTK

Meanwhile, after winning the first moguls event of her career last weekend, Czech aerial skier Nikola Sudova came second on Saturday in an event in Lake Placid, USA. Sudova said her latest success proved her first win was no accident.

Czech tennis player loses final of Sydney tournament to Hewitt

Czech tennis player Ivo Minar came from nowhere to reach the final of the Sydney International. Minar, who had reached the competition as a qualifier, was defeated 7-5 6-0 by Lleyton Hewitt on Saturday. The Sydney International was only the second ATP tournament of the 20-year-old Czech's career, and Minar said he was so nervous the night before the final that he couldn't sleep.

Will Sparta Prague face corruption investigation?

Sparta Prague football club will find out this week if they are to be investigated for corruption. Police have handed over the case file to the state prosecutor, who must now decide how to proceed. If - and it's a big if - Sparta are found guilty of misconduct, that could threaten their nine-point lead in the league.

Czech truck drivers fail to complete Dakar Rally

Dakar Rally, photo: CTK

This year's Dakar Rally, which has just ended, was not one to remember for Czech drivers. Six-time winner Karel Loprais failed to complete in the truck category for the second time in the last three years. Technical problems also caused the early retirements of truck crews led by Czechs Tomas Tomecek and Martin Macik.

Lang decides not to play in Czech league, while Jagr decides Super Six trophy

Czech ice hockey star Robert Lang says he will not, after all, be joining a Czech club for the duration of the NHL lockout. The news comes as some surprise: as late as Sunday morning it appeared Lang would join either Sparta Prague or Liberec. Jaromir Jagr, meanwhile, has helped his Russian club Omsk to the Super Six club title; his goal in overtime against Finland's Oulu on Sunday sealed the final.