Stoch takes first gold for Poland at Sochi Games

Gold medallist Kamil Stoch (C) of Poland is flanked by silver medallist Peter Prevc of Slovenia (L) and bronze medallist Anders Bardal of Norway (R) during the flower ceremony of the Men's Normal Hill Ski Jumping competition at the Russki Gorki Jumping Centre at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, 09 February: photo - EPA/FEHIM DEMIR

Poland moved into seventh place in the medal table when 25 year-old Kamil Stoch won gold in the men's normal hill ski jump, beating Peter Prevc of Slovenia into the silver medal position, while Norway's Anders Bardal took the bronze.

"I feel like it's really not happened to me. Did this really happen?,'' a clearly delighted Stoch told reporters as he won the first ever ski jump gold medal for Poland since 1942, bettering legend Adam Malysz's three silver and one bronze.

"Thanks Kamil. This is a beautiful day for all Poles," Prime Minister Donald Tusk tweeted after Stoch's win.

Polish hopes in the cross country skiing took a knock on Saturday, however, when Justyna Kowalczyk, the 31 year-old gold medalist at Vancouver four years ago was found to have a small fracture in her foot following a disappointing sixth place finish in the 15km skiathlon.

An x-ray confirmed Saturday's race had aggravated an injury she first suffered in January, though she has tweeted that she will continue at the Sochi Games and will take part in the 10km classical race on Thursday.

Justyna Kowalczyk (right) with Norway's Therese Johaug after sixth place finish in the skiathlon on Saturday: photo - PAP / Grzegorz Momot

After the Polish Olympic team doctor reassured that the injury is "not serious" Kowalczyk, a national hero back home in Poland, tweeted: "Hello all the experts. Stay calm, I'm still running".

Norway currently sits at the top of the medal table with seven gongs, including two gold, followed by the Netherlands and United States. (pg)