Sports News
Czechs triumph though Fed Cup tie with Slovakia goes down to wire
Photo: CTK
There was drama in Brno on Sunday, when a Fed Cup tie between the Czech
Republic and Slovakia came down to the last, doubles rubber. Czech duo
Nicole Vaidišová and Květa Peschke breezed past Slovaks Janette
Husárová and Dominika Cibulková in the first set, winning 6:1. But when
the latter pair took the second 6:2, many were biting their fingernails in
the Brno arena; those nerves only increased when the Czechs were forced to
return four break-balls at 2:3 in set three. Vaidišová and Peschke kept
their nerve, however, winning 6:4 to give the Czech Republic a 3:2 overall
win in the tie as tension gave way to euphoria.
Here is the Czech women’s number one, Nicole Vaidišová:
Nicole Vaidišová, photo: CTK
“I’m really glad it turned out the way it did. I have to thank
Květa,
she was the main driving force on our side of the court – I just
supported her. Otherwise, the public really helped us. They were really
incredible – especially at the end, when the atmosphere was
incredible.”
That World Group II win in Brno sets the Czech Republic up for a play-off for a place in the elite World Group.
By the way, it will be the turn of the Czech men next weekend: they are taking on Belgium in the Davis Cup’s World Group first round in another Moravian city, Ostrava.
Sáblíková wins Speed Skating World Cup for second year in row
Martina Sáblíková
Is there no stopping Martina Sáblíková? The Czech Sportsperson of the
Year has successfully defended the Speed Skating World Cup title she took
for the first time last year: a win in the 3000 m at Italy’s Baselga di
Pine on Sunday gave the 20-year-old overall victory in the season-long
competition.
Dream Bundesliga debut for three-goal Fenin
Martin Fenin (left), photo: CTK
Another Czech 20-year-old who will have a spring in his step after the
weekend is footballer Martin Fenin. The striker made a brilliant debut for
Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring the first hat-trick of his career in a 3:0
away win over Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Czechs facing Greece and Poland in friendlies, minus manager Bruckner
Fenin is currently in Cyprus with the Czech national team for two friendly games against Greece and Poland on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, more experienced squad members Rosický, Jankulovski and Galásek have had to cry off through injury. And for the first time in six years Karel Bruckner will not be on the sideline for those internationals: the 68-year-old manager is ill and has been ordered to stay home. His assistant, Jablonec boss Petr Rada, is filling in.
