Sports News

In Sports News: the Czech Republic takes four medals at the Nordic Skiing World Championships, the country's best tally since 1927; Czech internationals Petr Cech and Jiri Jarosik win the English League Cup with Chelsea; Sparta Prague sport a special black and white strip as part of an anti-racism campaign; the only Czech in the NBA changes clubs; and Litvinov claim the last spot in the playoffs of ice hockey's Extraliga.

Impressive four Czech medals at Nordic Skiing World Championships

Photo: CTK

The Nordic Skiing World Championships which have just ended in Oberstdorf, Germany were the most successful since 1927 for the Czech Republic, which took home four medals. Ski jumper Jakub Janda had the best week of his career, taking silver on the regular hill and bronze on the large hill. In the team sprint Dusan Kozisek and Martin Koukal came third. And Katerina Neummanova took gold in the 10 km free, a triumph she says she will always remember. In her last of four races, Neumannova came eighth in the 30 km classic on Saturday, but she wasn't complaining.

"The 30-kilometre is a marathon, and I've never liked the course here. Coming eighth of course doesn't look like any great success, but I'm glad I completed it, and it was a nice race. By the end I didn't have the strength to challenge for a medal. But I'm still satisfied, because I expected it was going to be worse."

Cech, Jarosik win English League Cup with Chelsea

Czech international goalkeeper Petr Cech won what could be the first of many medals with Chelsea, when they beat Liverpool 3:2 in England's League Cup final on Sunday. Cech's compatriot Jiri Jarosik also received a medal though he was substituted after a first half in which he was somewhat at sea. Liverpool's Milan Baros, meanwhile, started the game on the subs' bench and made little impact when he was brought on after 73 minutes.

Sparta wear anti-racism strip as Czech league resumes after winter break

Slavia Prague - Olomouc, photo: CTK

The Czech football league resumed after the winter break at the weekend, with the highlight being Slavia Prague's 3:2 win over Olomouc. That win saw Slavia move into second place in the table behind Sparta Prague. They were due to play their Monday evening tie against Opava in a special black and white strip, part of a campaign against racism in Czech football. Sparta have been fined on a number of occasions for their fans racist abuse of players from visiting clubs in European competitions.

Jiri Welsch leaves Boston Celtics for Cleveland Cavaliers

The only Czech player in basketball's NBA Jiri Welsch has changed clubs, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Boston Celtics, where he had a good first season but subsequently fell from favour.

Litvinov claim final spot in Extraliga playoffs

Litvinov - Zlin, photo: CTK

The final place in the playoffs in ice hockey's Extraliga was decided on Sunday, with Litvinov taking eighth place with a 2:0 win over last season's champions Zlin. Pilsen had been in contention for that last spot, but saw their hopes disappear with a 6:3 defeat at the hands of Liberec. The playoffs get underway on Friday.