Sports News

In Sports News this Monday: ski jumper Koudelka’s excellent season continues – and he’s hoping to carry recent winning form into Four Hills tournament; hockey coach Růžička says keep calm and keep working after historic poor start to season; Kvitová is Czech tennis player of year; and Čech won’t leave Chelsea in January, says agent.

Koudelka tops podium in ski jumping World Cup for third time in month

Roman Koudelka, photo: ČTK

Ski jumper Roman Koudelka’s excellent season continues. After coming second in a World Cup event in Switzerland’s Engelberg on Saturday, the Czech went one better on Sunday; his second round jump of 138.5 metres left him just ahead of local favourite Simon Amman – and on top of the podium for his third first-place finish in a month.

His latest success leaves Koudelka only two points off leader Anders Fannemel in the World Cup rankings.

On the phone from Engelberg, the 25-year-old explained how he’d done even better on the second day of the World Cup event.

“I managed to take off more accurately and my overall technique was also better. I’m really happy. For me it’s very important to win a competition ahead of the Four Hills competition and to feel that I’m jumping well. That worked out for me, so there’s a great sense of satisfaction.”

Roman Koudelka, photo: ČTK

The nine-day Four Hills begins in Oberstdorf, Germany next Sunday. Koudelka says his recent form could stand him in good stead in ski-jumping’s biggest event.

“It’s definitely important for me that I’m mentally strong at the moment. I think that could play a role in the tournament. But there are eight jumps in total and it will depend on who makes the most mistakes. I hope it won’t be me and that I come back with a great feeling.”

Růžička puts poor start down to inexperience of players

Photo: ČT

The Czech Republic’s ice hockey team have experienced their worst ever start to a season. A 2:3 loss to Russia on Sunday in the Channel One Cup was the Czechs’ sixth defeat in a row and leaves them with a mere two points to date in the Euro Hockey Tour.

Coach Vladimír Růžička points out that his team are relatively inexperienced – and is taking their travails philosophically.

“The team are relatively young and we have a relatively high percentage of players from the Extraliga. It’s not so easy for them to change gear and play in European competitions against the Swedes, the Finns and the Russians. I’m not interested in whether it’s the worst ever start – just in succeeding at the World Championships… I think the main thing is to keep calm, and keep working, naturally.”

Kvitová becomes Czech tennis player of season for second time

Petra Kvitová, photo: ČTK

Petra Kvitová has won Czech tennis’s Golden Canary award for player of the year for the second time in her career. The world number four, who is 24, triumphed in the poll of important figures in the sport after taking her second Wimbledon title last summer. Kvitová reached four other finals on the WTA tour in 2014, winning two of them.

Čech staying put at Chelsea for now, says agent

Petr Čech’s agent has reiterated that the football goalkeeper will not leave Chelsea during the January transfer window. Viktor Kolář told Monday’s edition of Sport that if Čech does move on in the summer he will prioritise staying in England’s Premier League.