Czech U18 Coach: We Want to Play the Last Match of the Championship!

In what phase is your U18 team’s preparation for the championship in Žilina?

We have completed four camps and have two more to go. We are already working with a narrower group of about 30 players.

When did you start the preparation for the championship, and how many representative camps have you had?

We started preparation in December. In total, we have had four camps, with around 70 players participating.

Are you satisfied with the preparation for the championship?

We are satisfied with how the preparation is progressing. Of course, more camps would have been better, but there is no time.

When will the final nomination be clear?

The players will be informed of the nomination on Sunday, June 23, at the penultimate camp. Only the players who will go directly to the World Championships will attend the last camp.

What is the primary focus of your preparation for the championship – tactics, teamwork, speed, or fitness?

A bit of everything. Mainly, we want to form a team that pulls together. When this works, everything else follows.

What style of play would you like to present at the championship?

We want to play actively, responsibly in defense, and actively in the attacking zone.

Did you change anything in the preparation for the championship compared to the situation from a year ago?

I only changed the category. There was no reason to change anything else.

Are you planning any preparatory matches before the championship?

We would like to play one match with an extra-league team at the penultimate camp, but we’ll see if we can find an opponent.

Do you have any other activities planned in Slovakia besides ball hockey? Maybe to see some interesting places in the country?

I think we won’t have much time. The championship program is quite demanding... We’ll see what time allows.

The Czech Republic is going to the championship as the defending champions. Your goal is certainly gold, but do you think you have a stronger team now than the one that won in Liberec?

That was last year. We will go game by game. Whether the team is stronger will be shown by the matches at the championships. The opponents certainly haven’t been idle either. We would like to play the last match of the World Championships.