Sports News

In Sports News: as the Czech football league winter break begins, Sparta Prague captain Karel Poborsky reflects on a successful first half of the season for the club; there is big news in Czech motorsport with Roman Kresta joining the Ford team for the 2005 World Rally Championship; Sparta Prague also lead the ice hockey Extraliga, while a Canadian becomes the first foreigner to play in the Czech Republic during the NHL lockout.

Sports News

Sparta Prague lead Czech football league as winter break begins

Karel Poborsky (Sparta Prague) and Vladimir Cap (Drnovice), photo: CTK

The weekend's round of Czech football league games was the last before the winter break, with action set to resume at the end of February. And it looks like there's no stopping Sparta Prague, who beat Drnovice 2:0 at home on Friday to cement their position at the top of the table, nine points clear of second-placed Teplice. Sparta captain Karel Poborsky had this to say after the Drnovice game.

"Of course we're satisfied because we did what we set out to do and got all three points. It's mentally demanding at this stage of the season, just before the break, and we handled it well. We're satisfied with the autumn half of the season. Sparta have the greatest potential and are the strongest team in the league, and up to now we have managed to confirm that."

Sparta have only pride to play for in last Champions League group game

Poborsky and co can't hang their boots up just yet: on Wednesday Sparta take on Lyon away in the Champions League, though they have only their pride to play for, after already finishing last in their group.

Milan Baros should also be in Champions League action this week; the Czech striker is expected to play for Liverpool for the first time since pulling a hamstring in a World Cup qualifier against Macedonia last month.

Czech driver Kresta signs with Ford for World Rally Championship

Jiri Hudler, photo: CTK

In what is being described as the biggest news in Czech motorsport for years, Roman Kresta has joined the Ford team for the 2005 World Rally Championship. The 28-year-old from Trnava in south Moravia has been racing for ten years and says signing with Ford is a huge dream come true.

Sparta head ice hockey league, Hudler appears for Vsetin

In the Czech ice hockey Extraliga Sparta Prague are four points clear at the top of the table after 29 rounds, that despite losing 2:1 to second-placed Zlin on Sunday. Kladno, who are third, beat Karlovy Vary 4:2. Vsetin, meanwhile, beat Slavia Prague 4:3, with two of their goals coming from Jiri Hudler. The talented 20-year-old has returned to the club from a farm team in the US; Hudler says he wants to spend time with his father, who is seriously ill.

Jakub Janda, photo: CTK

Canadian becomes first NHL player in Czech league during lockout

Andrew Ference from Canada has become the first foreigner to play in the Czech league during the NHL lockout. Interestingly, Ference has not signed with an Extraliga side but Ceske Budejovice, who are in the "first league", which is actually the second highest division. He joins Calgary team-mate Roman Turek at the south Bohemian club.

Ski jumper Janda reaches top three for second weekend in a row

Czech ski jumper Jakub Janda has achieved the best result of his career, coming second in a World Cup event in Norway's Trondheim. The 26-year-old, who came third in a World Cup competition a week ago, puts his new-found form down to a change of trainer.