Important finish to a successful season

The Czech Republic women’s national team was a one the biggest surprises of the EHF EURO 2012 qualification and at the final tournament in Serbia, where they reached the main round after victory against Ukraine.

Despite losing the rest of their EHF EURO 2012 matches, they gave world class teams a serious fright.

“It’s been a long road, but we feel that our work is reaching fruition,” says coach Jan Bašný.

The progress of the Czech team is visible in comparison to just two years ago. The Czechs lost heavily to Montenegro (2011 World Championship qualification, 26-42 and 26-33) and Ukraine (18-37).

“We have done a good job in the last few months, we went through the EURO 2012 qualification and in Serbia we had respectable performances against the likes of France, Norway and Denmark.

“We want to confirm our good work from whole season and get through this World Championship qualification play-off,” says Bašný.  

The Czechs will face traditional sparring partners and fellow EHF EURO 2012 participants Iceland in the play-off.

“We said to team, there were two times to peak this season, the EHF EURO 2012 and qualification for the next World Championship. The second peak awaits and we are ready to fight,” says Bašný.

The team are confident of a good result in the first leg away in Reykjavík and hope for massive and loud support from fans at the home leg in Most.

The “Black Angels” from north-Bohemian city of Most know the power of these fans, their support was one of the key aspects of Most’s recent victory in the Women’s Challenge Cup.

“They helped us during the last EURO qualification and I hope they will celebrate a successful end to this tremendous season with us,” concludes Bašný.

Czech Republic squad for the World Championship Play-off against Iceland on 2 and 8 June:

Goalkeepers: Raníková Barbora (DHK Zora Olomouc), Satrapová Lucie (DHC Slavia Praha), Müllnerová Dominika

Wingers: Chrenková Romana (DHC Sokol Poruba), Salčáková Kristýna (HC Britterm Veselí nad Moravou), Knedlíková Jana (DHC Slavia Praha), Hrbková Michaela (DHC Sokol Poruba)

Back court: Martinková Hana (DHK Baník Most), Kutlvašrová Hana (DHC Slavia Praha), Luzumová Iveta (Mios Biganos, FRA), Poznarová Pavla (DHC Sokol Poruba), Černá Klára (DHC Slavia Praha), Štěrbová Helena (HC Britterm Veselí nad Moravou), Crhová Martina (Kristianstad HK, SWE), Růčková Petra (DHK Baník Most), Keclíková Kateřina (DHC Slavia Praha)

Line players: Vítková Petra (DHK Baník Most), Matoušková Iveta (EKS Start Erblag, POL), Selucká Dominika (DHC Sokol Poruba)