Beijing (from our newsletter) – Nevertheless, the coach had only words of praise for his team after successfully entering the tournament.
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Were you curious how historically the first match of Czech hockey players at the Olympic Games will blend in with their psyche?
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We could be expected to be a little nervous. In addition, we knew that China would play organized, hard, and rely on two or three naturalized Canadians. We played a nervous match until the third goal. The passes were not completely accurate, our legs did not run as they normally would. It is very difficult against such a defensive system.
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So how did you manage to break the persistent defensive of the Chinese?
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In the end, we managed a good transition game. But overall, the girls managed that day brilliantly. The first day of competition at the Olympics, the first game match in history. I’m proud of the girls’ performance.
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Tereza Radová and her teammates celebrate her goal in the match of the Olympic tournament against China.Photo: Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
Although China ranks 20th in the IIHF rankings, the team has 13 naturalized overseas players for the Olympics, and the entire national team plays for the Vanke Rays in Russia’s highest women’s league. Is that why you were expecting a challenging duel?
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Even though people will say that it is (our) duty, it is nonsense. It was a tough match against a team that is as good as Sweden, Denmark or Japan.
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Kateřina Bukolská in a duel with a Chinese opponent.Photo: Petr David Josek, CTK / AP
Would you find the turning points of the match?
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Every goal of ours was important. In the second period, when we weakened, we did not fulfill the roles, suddenly it was only 2: 1, which is an unpleasant situation. However, we managed the third period brilliantly. And Míš Pejzlová’s third goal calmed us down. The Chinese had to open the game, which gave us a little more space for the first and second passes from our third.
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The author of the third Czech goal Michaela Pejzlová celebrates with her teammate Samantha Kolowratová.Photo: Petr David Josek, CTK / AP
Captain Mills said she wasn’t nervous even at 2: 1. Did you get stuck?
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So I was personally stunned. The girls have more confidence, which makes me happy. I knew how dangerous Chinese women were. They only played on breaks while we involved all five players in the game. And every little mistake could bring about renumbering. I was aware of the danger, but the girls did better than I expected.
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Coach Tomáš Pacina at the training of the women’s hockey team.Photo: Kateřina Šulová, CTK
In addition, goalkeeper Peslarová helped with several important interventions at the right time, didn’t she?
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Hundred percent. That’s what the position is about. In an important state, when a match breaks, he will take action. Instead of 2: 2 it was then 3: 1. In such situations, Klára is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. And we know it well.
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Czech goalkeeper Klára Peslarová during the match with China.Photo: Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
Did you know right away that the strikers of Mlýnková will also be included in the line-up, even though she joined the team only two days before the match after the home team suffered?
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It is a very difficult situation for everyone at this time when the covid determines our lives. She was isolated, lonely, had to fly to Beijing without a team and managed the only joint training. She jumped into the match immediately. The girls behave absolutely brilliantly, they are an inspiration to me. When I see their behavior and preparation for matches every day … We, as the implementation team, manage them so easily, but 90 percent of them pull it themselves. Girls are our inspiration for how they can handle incredibly difficult situations positively.
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Denisa Křížová scores the second goal of the Czech team in the match with China.Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters
How do you feel about the games in Beijing, which have a strong impact on anti-coronary measures?
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I always thought that the purpose of these events was for people to meet and exchange experiences. For athletes, coaches, implementation teams to exchange experiences. It is mainly played for spectators. The situation is as it is, and I do not want to comment on it anymore. I want to keep my accreditation and I will answer these questions when I am safe at home in the Czech Republic.
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