Czech Republic's new era disrupted by injury woes

Reigning European champions France are the first test for the Czech Republic‘s new coaching duo in the EHF EURO 2016 Qualification campaign and they will be without star player Filip Jicha.

Daniel Kubes was on the court for the win over Serbia in June‘s 2015 Wold Championship playoffs.

Four months later he will enjoy his international coaching debut alongside Jan Filip. Both are in charge at club level as well, Kubes in German second division team Emsdetten, Filip at Swiss side St. Gallen.

“I feel pride and responsibility. I have spent some 15 years in the national team as a player.

“It is advantage to know all the players well from my playing career, on the other hand, with many of them we are close friends and sometimes it is difficult to make tough decisions,“ admitted Kubes

Knowing each other for years, Kubes praises his co-operation with Jan Filip and enjoys the work with the national team.

“Jan and I have different personalities, but I think we supplement each other well. We want to achieve the same level of cooperation between the players on the court.”

Injury concerns

The absence of Filip Jícha (THW Kiel) is a major blow ahead of the campaign, but the Czech coach believes that main goal of the national team is different under current these circumstances.

“Whether we are with or without Filip, we try to start a new process here and set things to work according to our vision. And we hope to reap the benefits in the future.”

“Success in qualification is important, but I have the feeling the new era we are building is even more important.”

The team’s injury list does not only include Jícha. Ladislav Brykner (EHV Aue), Jan Stehlík (Saint-Raphaël Var), Martin Stržínek (Cement Hranice), Roman Bečvář (Empor Rostock) are all unavailable.

Pavel Horák (Fuchse Berlin) is still not fully fit after undergoing elbow surgery in August, but will travel with the team.

“Our team is not as strong as against Serbia in June due to many injuries, but we have to take whatever we can achieve.”

There are two newcomers to the team, 18-year-olds Stanislav Kašpárek (HC Gumárny Zubří) and Dieudonne Mubenzem (HC Dukla Praha), who will however, only train with the team and collect valuable experience.

Fearless against the favourites

“Our squad cannot be compared to the French one. They are favourites against any team in the world. What we ask our players is to play without fear, smartly and with full commitment.”

Czech Republic have failed to beat their Round 2 opponents FYR Macedonia on the last two occasions.

“This team has never played together in this line up, therefore, we are not favourites against the Macedonians. At the moment, in terms of quality, they have the advantage. But I hope we show a good performance in front of our fans.”

If the prognosis becomes reality, Czech Republic should fight for the second qualifying spot with FYR Macedonia, but Kubes is careful to avoid calling Sunday’s encounter as crucial.

“Every match is important. This will be one of the key matches, but in the end, anything can happen in the remaining games.”

Interestingly enough, match against France is played on Thursday 19:30 hrs in Chambéry, where the Czech national team manager Karel Nocar spent 10 years of his playing career. Czech Republic then welcomes Macedonia on Sunday 13:30 in Zlín.

Czech Republic squad for the EHF EURO 2016 Qualification Rounds in Chambéry and Zlin:

Goalkeepers: Petr Štochl (Füchse Berlin), Martin Galia (St.Gallen)

Line players: Libor Hanisch (Baník OKD Karviná), Leoš Petrovský (Talent M.A.T. Plzeň), Jakub Šindelář (Talent M.A.T. Plzeň).

Back court players: Tomáš Babák (St. Gallen), Radek Horák (Grand Nancy ASPTT HB), Pavel Horák (Füchse Berlín), Michal Kasal (RK Celje Pivovarna Laško), Stanislav Kašpárek (HC Gumárny Zubří), Petr Linhart (Talent M.A.T. Plzeň), Diendonne Mubenzem (HC Dukla Praha), Tomáš Řezníček (HC Gumárny Zubří), Michal Škvařil (Talent M.A.T. Plzeň), Ondřej Zdráhala (ASV Hamm – Westfalen)

Wing players: Jan Sobol (Azoty Pulawy), Jiří Motl (HC A.S.A. Lovosice), Miroslav Jurka (St. Raphaël VAR HB), Jakub Hrstka (Tatran Prešov)