Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: Fairy tale end to 125th Velká Pardubická as Nikas ridden by veteran jockey Marek Stromský wins in record time; and no Euro 2016 celebration as Turks beat already qualified Czechs in last home game of campaign.

Fairy tale outcome as Stromský wins 125th Velká Pardubická on Nikas

Marek Stromský and Nikas, photo: CTK

There was a fairy tale outcome to the 125th Velká Pardubická steeplechase that proved the proverb, If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Jockey Marek Stromský had been disqualified after coming first in the famous jumps race in 2008 on Avant Gris. Aged 41, he had considered retirement in recent years without achieving his dream of winning in Pardubice. Meanwhile, his horse on Sunday, the 10-year-old Nikas, had finished second two years ago. But this time out Stromský and Nikas, owned by Petr Kupka, made no mistake. They completed an action-packed race in a new record time of 8:55.29, beating the previous best time set in 2008 by Sixteen. Marek Stromský had this to say after his 13th Velká Pardubická:

“It’s wonderful, something indescribable. It’s the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had – the icing on the cake, as they say. I had wanted to retire but my wife Jana said to me, Do the Velká Pardubická and then you can quit or weigh things up again. So my thanks go to her.”

Of the 22 horses that started the notoriously difficult race 11 completed its 6.9 kilometre course. Two exited at the infamous fourth fence, Taxis, though it was the sixth that caused the most problems, with three departing at that point. Nikas’s success denied jockey Jan Faltejsek his fourth win in a row, after his mount, the favourite Universe of Gracie, finished fourth despite making the early running. Faltejsek had achieved his hat-trick of victories on Orphee des Blins.

Already qualified Czechs lose at home to Turkey in penultimate game

Filip Novák (right), photo: CTK

The Czech Republic had already qualified for soccer’s European Championship in France next summer before the last brace of qualifiers. Which was perhaps just as well, given their underwhelming performance in a 2:0 home defeat to Turkey on Saturday night. A Czech team very short of star names had barely any chances in a match that many hoped would turn into a celebration of qualification. Instead it was Turkish fans – many no doubt travelling from Germany – that made by far the most noise. And they saw the visitors go ahead just after the hour mark through a penalty after a foul by defender Filip Novák, who spoke to Czech Radio following the game:

“A draw would probably have been fair. There weren’t many chances on either side, but the Turks were luckier. I’m said about the penalty, more for my actions than the ruling by the referee and his assistants. I won’t comment on them. But it’s sad that it decided the game.”

After Saturday’s defeat Pavel Vrba’s men will no doubt be aiming to end their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign on a high when they take on the Netherlands – who need a win to have a hope of making the playoffs – at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday night. The Czech coach is expected to make several changes for that game, including reinstating Petr Čech for what will be his 117th international cap.