Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: Soukalová becomes first Czech woman to win biathlon World Cup since 1990; Samková finishes second in boardercross World Cup; Maslák retains 400m indoor world title; Sparta come from behind to win derby; and Czech side prepare for friendlies with Scots and Swedes.

Soukalová lifts biathlon World Cup title

Gabriela Soukalová, photo: CTK

The Czech Republic’s Gabriela Soukalová has won the overall title in the women’s biathlon World Cup for the first time in her career. She became the first Czech woman to do so since Jiřína Adamičková-Pelcová, way back in 1990.

The 26-year-old clinched the coveted Crystal Globe on Saturday after coming fourth in the 10-kilometre pursuit at the Russian resort of Khanty-Mansiysk, a result that also meant she ended the season at the top of the pursuit standings.

Her mother, also named Gabriela, won an Olympic medal in cross country skiing, and after her own latest triumph Soukalová was quick to remember her parents, who encouraged her before she herself had the motivation to compete.

“All the memories of how I started on skis have come back to me – how my parents nurtured me all my life, despite my initial resistance. I’ve already called my boyfriend and calling him and my parents, as I do after virtually every race, is probably my greatest reward.”

Samková finishes second in boardercross World Cup

Eva Samková (left), photo: CTK

Boardercross competitor Eva Samková had to content herself with second place in her sport’s season-long World Cup. The 22-year-old missed out on top spot by only 40 points after coming second in the final event in Spain’s Baqueira Beret at the weekend.

Maslák retains indoor 400m crown

Pavel Maslák retained his crown as world indoor champion in the 400 metres in Sunday’s final in Portland. Only three Europeans have ever held that title and Maslák is the first to do so twice in succession.

Sparta come from behind to win 285th “S” derby

Sparta Prague - Slavia Prague, photo: CTK

Sparta Prague fans have reasons to be cheerful these days. On Thursday the club caused a major shock in the Europa League by beating Lazio 3:0 in Rome to win 4:1 on aggregate and advance to the quarter-finals of the competition. Then on Sunday Sparta emerged victorious in the 285th “S” derby at their Letná home, coming from behind to beat city rivals Slavia Prague 3:1. With eight games to go, Sparta remain six points behind leaders Viktoria Plzeň – who beat Slovan Liberec 1:0 – with a game in hand.

Chinese buy Slavia’s Eden stadium

Slavia, the club’s majority owner, Chinese group CEFC, have also acquired a 70-percent share in their home ground, Eden stadium, it was announced on Monday.

Czechs prepare for friendlies with Scots and Swedes

Jakub Brabec, photo: CTK

The Czech national team have been gathering in Prague for a brace of friendlies. Pavel Vrba’s men welcome Scotland on Thursday before taking on the Swedes in Stockholm five days later. Vrba announced on Monday morning that he was adding three Sparta players to the squad, Martin Frýdek, Lukáš Mareček and Jakub Brabec, with the latter pair receiving their first call-ups.

Liberec close in on Extraliga semi-finals

In the ice hockey Extraliga play offs, regular season winners Liberec can reach the semi-finals in the fewest games possible if they overcome Chomutov in game four on Monday evening, after the recording of our programme. In the other ties, Mladá Boleslav lead Hradec Králové 3:1, Plzeň are ahead of Olomouc by the same score line and its Sparta 2, Zlín 1.