Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: Czech mixed biathlon relay team come third in first event of season – coach Rybář says competition will be high this time out; Šárka Strachová enjoys best start to slalom World Cup in six years; Extraliga strugglers (and champions) Litvínov sack assistant coach; and Sparta Prague FC have now lost over CZK 1 billion since owner took over.

Biathlon mixed relay team enjoy successful start to season

Michal Šlesingr (left), photo: CTK

The Czech Republic’s biathlonists have just returned to action after an eight-month break. And a fine return it was too, with the country’s mixed relay team coming third at a World Cup event in Sweden’s Ostersund on Sunday. Indeed, Veronika Vítková, Gabriela Soukalová, Michal Šlesingr and Ondřej Moravec finished a mere 11 seconds behind the victorious Norwegians.

Coach Ondřej Rybář is the man credited with the recent golden era of Czech biathlon. But he says the team’s great performance at the weekend – including a notable return to form for Soukalová – doesn’t necessarily mean we can expect more collective or individual success this season.

“We start every season with the mixed relay but it’s a specific event and completely different. It’s followed by individual distance competitions where there really is a lot of competition. From Sunday’s race we can see that more competitors have emerged who will be pushing to reach the top. The season will be even closer than last season, I think.”

Aspen placings give Strachová best World Cup start in six years

Šárka Strachová, photo: CTK

Downhill skier Šárka Strachová has just enjoyed her best start to the Alpine Skiing World Cup since way back in 2009. The former Šárka Záhrobská finished fourth and third in her first two slalom events of the season at the US resort of Aspen at the weekend, describing her placings on Facebook as an “excellent first step”. The 30-year-old former world champion had been in second place after the first round on Sunday before being leapfrogged by Frida Hansdotter of Sweden in the next. Strachová, who is third overall in the World Cup standings, will next compete in Sweden’s Are on December 13.

Champions Litvínov sack assistant coach after latest setback

Litvínov - Karlovy Vary, photo: CTK

After a dreadful start to the season reigning Extraliga champions Litvínov have just sacked assistant coach Ondřej Weissmann. However, head coach Radim Rulík remains in place at Litvínov, who on Sunday lost 1:4 to Karlovy Vary. After 23 rounds the champions are stuck firmly to the foot of the table. Liberec, who are top, made light work of Zlín in a 5:1 victory. Meanwhile, second-placed Plzeň overcame Třinec 3:2 after penalties.

Chomutov masseur in reported bust-up with Brno players

Off the ice, Chomutov are in hot water after their masseur František Moščic allegedly attacked a Kometa Brno player with a stick and fought with another after a game on Friday. Chomutov have apologised but can still expect a stiff fine over the incident.

Sparta’s losses under Křetínský now top CZK 1 billion

Photo: Lokomotive74, CC BY 3.0

The reigning Czech soccer league champions Sparta Prague made a CZK 67 million loss last season, according to a report in the magazine Euro. Despite the club being in the red that was the third best result achieved since tycoon Daniel Křetínský took over as owner in 2004. Indeed Sparta has lost over CZK 1 billion since then. They have only made a profit once in the last 11 years – the year after Křetínský took the reins.