The Tournament in Plzeň Featured High-Quality Competition

Hello Marián, how is Slovakia’s U23 team preparing for the World Championship in Hradec Králové?

Hello, so far we’ve had one-day and two-day training camps, followed by a tournament in Plzeň. Now the spring part of the league is underway, so the coaches are monitoring our performances there, and more camps are planned after the playoffs.

You also participated in the international Pilsen Challenge tournament with the national team. What did you gain from that experience?

For me, it was an excellent experience heading into the World Championship. The tournament featured top-quality competition. We got to play games at the highest level, which showed us where our strengths lie, but also highlighted areas we still need to improve before the championship.

In the end, your team finished third in the tournament. Were you satisfied with the result and your performance?

I think I can speak for everyone when I say we entered the tournament with the highest ambitions, but even third place in such a strong field is a success. It’s just a pity we didn’t manage to win the game against Sierre Lions and didn’t get to play the final against the Czech U20 team.

I Believe We’ll Bring a Medal Back to Slovakia

You're still eligible for the U20 category by age, yet the coaches have placed great trust in you, and you’re preparing with the U23 team. What does this mean for your development? Is there a big difference between these categories?

First of all, I’d like to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity with the U23s. I believe it’s a great chance for me to grow—I just have to make the most of it. Compared to the U20 level, the game is noticeably faster and also more physical.

At the last U23 championship, your team won silver medals. Is your team aiming to reach the final again, or is it too early to set specific goals?

I think that in Slovakia, high expectations are placed on every national ball hockey team—especially after the World Championship in Liberec, where our youth teams did well. I believe we’ll approach every game in Hradec Králové with the mindset of being proud of our performance afterward, and I trust we’ll bring one of the medals back to Slovakia.

Every success is built on a strong group that pulls together. Do you feel your team is forming the right kind of chemistry?

Most of us know each other and regularly meet in the extraliga, so I think we have a good team spirit. The training camps help a lot as well, as the atmosphere is always great

The Slovak U23 national team won bronze at the Pilsen Challenge international tournament in February. Photo source: Facebook hokejbal.sk.