Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: Czechs have most successful Biathlon World Championships ever, while Moravec is only competitor in Finland to take home full collection of medals; Plzeň leapfrog Sparta as Kolář converts late penalty; Vrba names squad for Euro qualifier against Latvia; and Růžička commits to further year as Czech ice hockey coach.

Czechs enjoy most successful Biathlon World Championships ever

Ondřej Moravec, photo: CTK

The Czech Republic have just had their most successful Biathlon World Championships ever, taking home an impressive four medals from Finland’s Kontiolahti. After beginning with gold for the Czech team in the mixed relay, the championships ended on Sunday with silver for Ondřej Moravec in the 15km Mass Start. Gabriela Soukalová had also taken silver, in the 15km Individual, while Moravec already had a bronze in the 20km Individual prior to Sunday’s finale.

A tremendous result in his last event meant that Ondřej Moravec was able to pick up a full collection of medals, the only competitor in Finland to do so. Speaking to Czech Radio, he said he had been expecting a tough race from eventual winner Jakov Fak of Slovenia.

“I knew he’d be a lot of trouble. He’d already shown in the Pursuit that he wasn’t the absolute fastest but was incredibly dynamic and was fast on the flat. He was great. I’d told Slovenian TV that I hoped he’d win the medal – and it worked out… As for my medals, I didn’t have many targets before the season. I wanted to finish in the top 10, which meant being successful at the Worlds. I think I’ve fulfilled that one hundred percent.”

Plzeň move ahead of Sparta after late penalty against Dukla

Dukla Prague - Plzeň, photo: CTK

With 10 rounds remaining, Viktoria Plzeň have pulled two points clear of Sparta Prague at the top of the Czech soccer league. The defending champions could only achieve a 0:0 draw away to third-placed Jablonec on Saturday, allowing Plzeň to leapfrog them with a victory over Dukla Prague in the capital the next day. But the West Bohemians – who have a game in hand – left it late, with an 89th minute penalty helping them edge Dukla 3:2. The spot kick was calmly converted by Daniel Kolář for his second penalty of the match. The midfielder says he’s getting used to high-scoring games.

“I think our last game was also a 3:2 win [against Hradec Králové]. The league is so balanced that you won’t find any completely clear-cut games. The closer we get to the end of the season, the more our opponents will want to get one over on us. They won’t have anything to lose and will play more freely.”

Four recalls in Vrba’s squad for Euro qualifier versus Latvia

Pavel Vrba, photo: Alžběta Švarcová

Czech national team boss Pavel Vrba has just announced his squad for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia on March 28 and a friendly against Slovakia a few days later. Theodor Gebre Selassie, Adam Hloušek, Mario Holek and Martin Pospíšil have been recalled to the squad, which also features mainstays such as Tomáš Rosický and Petr Čech. After four games, the Czechs top their qualifying group, three points ahead of Iceland and four ahead of the Netherlands.

Růžička commits to further year as Czech ice hockey coach

Vladimír Růžička has decided to remain on as coach of the Czech national ice hockey team. His contract had been due to end after the World Championships in Prague and Ostrava in May.