In Sports News this Monday: Baroš fails to make dream return to Baník Ostrava after missing chance in dying minutes; Plzeň remain top of league; Berdych wins in Stockholm for 10th title of career; Kvitová prepares for first match at WTA Finals; and Třinec are way out in front in Extraliga.
Baroš back at Ostrava but perfect “debut” eludes him
Milan Baroš, photo: CTK
Milan Baroš won the Golden Boot at football’s Euro 2004 and took a Champions League medal with Liverpool the following year. But it is so long since the striker’s career began to fade that it is almost shocking to consider that he is still only 32. Baroš’s last stint abroad saw him find the net only twice in 13 games for Turkey’s Antalyaspor last season. Now, however, the Czech national side’s second highest scorer ever is back for a third stint at Baník Ostrava, the club where his career began. In his first appearance since a serious knee injury, Baroš could have secured all three points for Ostrava when a decent chance fell to him in the 91st minute of a home game against Jihlava on Friday. However, the ball rebounded off a defender and the game – in which Baroš had come on in the 74th minute – ended 0:0.
“I think it was a clear chance because their keeper was on the other side of the goal. Francis Narh and one of their defenders were standing in front of the goal and I shot between them – if it had gone through, it would have gone in… I’m 100 percent prepared and I’m not worried about getting injured again. But my confidence could do with a boost – I just need to get stuck into challenges and to sprint without any mental block. That’s what’s important for me.”
Plzeň still on top after win over Mladá Boleslav
That draw still leaves Baník Ostrava in fourth place in the league. Viktoria Plzeň remain top after a 3:0 away win over Mladá Boleslav and Sparta Prague are just one point the leaders after a 3:1 away defeat of Brno.
Berdych takes career 10th title in Stockholm
Tomáš Berdych, photo: CTK
The Czech men’s tennis number one Tomáš Berdych won the Stockholm Open on Sunday. Berdych lifted the tenth title of his career after a 5-7 6-4 6-4 victory over last year’s winner of the competition, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. That result further boosts the 29-year-old’s chances of reaching next month’s ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Kvitová to take on Radwanska in first match in Singapore
Petra Kvitová, photo: David Kubíček
Meanwhile the leading Czech women’s player, Petra Kvitová, is preparing for the WTA Finals in Singapore. The world number three will face Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in her opening white group encounter on Thursday. The other two players in Kvitová’s side of the draw are Maria Sharapova of Russia and Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.
Třinec way out in front in Extraliga
Třinec - Pardubice, photo: CTK
Třinec have cemented their hold at the top of the Czech ice hockey Extraliga after a 5:2 win over Pardubice in the 14th round left them on 34 points, six points clear of second-placed Hradec Králové. Meanwhile, reigning champions Zlín are still bottom of the table but at least managed a 4:3 win on penalties over Mladá Boleslav on Sunday.
