In Sports News this Monday: Jaromír Jágr (44) becomes third highest scorer in history of NHL – and says there’s no reason to quit; Plzeň remain top as Sparta record further win before Krasnodar trip; and Plíšková and Šafářová slip in rankings though latter is finally on comeback trail.
Jágr becomes third highest scorer ever in NHL
Jaromír Jágr, photo: CTK
Veteran ice hockey star Jaromír Jágr continues to amaze fans around the world. Less than a week after turning 44, the Czech right wing scored twice for Florida Panthers in a 3:1 win over Winnipeg Jets on Saturday to reach 742 goals in the NHL, overtaking the previous third highest scorer, Brett Hull. Only Wayne Gretzky (with 894) and Gordie Howe (801) have found the net more often than Jágr, who has been scoring in the league since he started with Pittsburgh Penguins way back in 1990. The evidently ageless Czech – who played in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League from 2008 to 2011 – is not ruling out moving further up the NHL’s all-time goals table. “There’s no reason to quit. I love the game. If I can play in the NHL, why not keep going?” Jágr said after Saturday’s landmark game.
Plzeň remain first while Sparta notch up further win before Krasnodar trip
Viktoria Plzeň - Teplice, photo: CTK
Reigning champions Viktoria Plzeň continue to lead the Czech soccer league after overcoming Teplice 1:0 at home thanks to a goal from Daniel Kolář. Still hot on the heels of the West Bohemian side are Sparta Prague. They overcame Mladá Boleslav 2:0 in the capital on Sunday in a match that saw recent signing Josef Šural score again for the hosts and Milan Baroš sent off for the visitors. Since the season resumed after the winter break, Sparta have won all three of their games, including a 1:0 home victory over Krasnodar in the Europa League last week. On Thursday they travel to Russia for the second leg of that round-of-32 tie.
Plíšková slips to 19th after back to back first round defeats
Karolína Plíšková, photo: CTK
Czech tennis player Karolína Plíšková has tumbled down the rankings after recent first-round defeats in Dubai – where she was a finalist last year – and Doha. The 23-year-old was at a career-high seventh in the world last August but is now way down in 19th.
Šafářová out of top 10 but on comeback trail
Plíšková’s compatriot Lucie Šafářová, meanwhile, has slipped out of the elite top 10 and is now ranked 12th. The 29-year-old French Open finalist has been hit by health problems, including a bacterial infection that saw her hospitalised in September. However, Šafářová is now finally on the comeback trail in Doha, a tournament she won last year.
Samková boosts chances of overall World Cup triumph with Urals win
Eva Samková, photo: Khalil Baalbaki
The Czech snowboarder Eva Samková finished first at a World Cup event at the Sunny Valley resort in Russia’s Urals on Sunday. It was the Olympic champion’s second such win in a row and her fifth ever. Samková’s success boosts her chances of an overall triumph in the World Cup, where she is currently second with four of seven events behind her.
