Jiří Kulich is happy with the goal Source: SITA/AP/Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
GÖTEBORG – On Tuesday, the junior world championships will begin in Gothenburg, where Czech hockey players will defend their silver medals.
But coach Patrik Augusta, who took over the team after Radi Rulík, is not among the main favorites. Canadian players will attack for a golden hat trick, the Americans traditionally have high ambitions. The home Swedes hope to end their wait for the title, which they last won in 2011.
“That we are not the favorite? That’s good. As they say, only the sky is the limit. It depends on how everything comes together. It’s a sport, it can go either way. But I’m convinced that we’ll do our best to we’ve been successful. We’ll see where it, in quotes, kicks us out.” said Augusta at a press conference in Prague before the team moved to Sweden.
Even balance from the preliminary matches
The Czechs have already played two warm-up matches in the north of Europe. They beat Latvia 4:3 and lost to Finland 1:4. Injured defender Vojtech Port dropped out of the squad, but striker Jiří Kulich, who should be one of the pillars of the team, joined shortly before Christmas. “For us and the entire Czech hockey, he is the best player of this age category,” said Augusta to the player who made his debut in the NHL this year in a Buffalo jersey and shares the position of the best scorer in the lower AHL.
In the Czech team, Kulich is one of the six memorials to the medal success at the previous championship. “I believe that everyone plays hockey in order to win and be as successful as possible. I believe that they can infect others and will naturally lead the team as leaders.” he wished Augustus. Defending the silver does not bind the coach.
“I don’t feel the pressure. I feel the pressure on myself because I want to help the players to be successful. We are doing our best for that. It’s not even about the pressure, it’s about how much I’m looking forward to it. But the players on the ice will play it out.” he pointed out.
The Czech national team under his leadership wants to approach the tournament with humility and set gradual goals. “There is no weak opponent at the championships, and small things, including health, will decide. We want to be as successful as possible. It would be ideal if we improved in every match. It is true that all teams have a certain chance. We can all dream, we all have to work, “ pointed out Augustus with a smile.
The derby with the Slovaks is even more important
The first opponent of the Czech team in the basic group B will be the Slovak hockey players on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. “The first match is always the most important. It’s still a derby with the Slovaks. It’s all the more important. We’ll have to prepare and give the best possible performance.” Kulich said.
“There will be a great rivalry, the Slovaks have an excellent team and the best goalkeeper of the previous championships. Right after that we have the Norwegians, who have many players from the Swedish competitions. Then America, the Swiss. Nothing easy awaits us and all the matches can be crucial.” added Augustus.
The best four advance to the quarter-finals, the last team will fight to remain among the elite. The entire tournament will take place in Gothenburg in the Scandinavium and Frölundaborg arenas. Group B with the Czech selection will take place in the smaller Frölundaborg with a capacity of 6,044 spectators.
- Author: © List/
- Source: CTK
2023-12-25 08:56:14
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