In Sports News this Monday: Czech football league champions Sparta Prague strengthen with the signing of Daniel Zítka and Marek Matějovský, while also persuading wonderboy Václav Kadlec to extend his contract; up-and-coming Czech athlete Petr Frydrych (22) again comes second in the javelin at a Diamond League event; and Roman Kreuziger is second in the Tour de Switzerland.
Czech champions Sparta reinforce with signing of Zítka and Matějovský
Marek Matějovský, photo: CTK
Czech league champions Sparta Prague have been quick to strengthen ahead of next season’s campaign. The first big signing of the summer for the country’s richest club was goalkeeper Daniel Zítka, who was previously at Belgium’s Anderlecht; he’ll provide stiff competition for fans’ favourite Jaromír Blažek. And now the title-holders have beefed up their midfield with the signing of Marek Matějovský from Reading. The 28-year-old has been capped 12 times, but did not make a big impact in his two years at the English Championship club. Coach Jozef Chovanec was asked what he thought Matějovský would bring to Sparta.
“We expect to make use of the experience and the creative abilities that without a doubt he possesses. Sparta were lacking that kind of player. I think he has the skills to take on the role of playmaker in our midfield.”
As well as bringing in some big new names, Sparta Prague have persuaded teenage strike sensation Václav Kadlec to pen a new four-year-deal, while centre-back Tomáš Řepka and holding midfielder Jiří Kladrubský have also extended their contracts.
Frydrych (22) again comes second in javelin at Diamond League meeting in NYC
Petr Frydrych at the Golden Spike in Ostrava, 27 May 2010, photo: CTK
Petr Frydrych is fast becoming a name to remember for Czech sports fans, after the 22-year-old came second for the second time in the men’s javelin at a Diamond League meeting. In New York on Sunday Frydrych finished behind Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, just as he had done previously in Shanghai. The promising young Czech is trained by compatriot Jan Železný, who is widely considered the greatest athlete in the history of the javelin. Another Czech who did well at the Diamond League meeting in New York was Věra Cechlová, who came third in the women’s discus.
Kreuziger second in Tour of Switzerland after second stage
Roman Kreuziger, photo: CTK
The Czech Republic’s Roman Kreuziger ended day two of the Tour of Switzerland on Sunday in second position behind Henrich Haussler of Germany, holding on to the spot he had earned in a time-trial on the opening day. The Liquigas team member has enjoyed unprecedented success for a Czech rider; Kreuziger won the Tour of Switzerland two years ago, and finished ninth in last year’s Tour de France.
