Czech star Luzumova ready to shine again
What a season Iveta Luzumova had last year. She netted 47 times to help the Czech team reach the quarter-finals at the World Championship 2017, scored 105 goals for Thüringer HC in the Women’s EHF Champions League, and was chosen player of the season in the Bundesliga.
And, of course, she helped Czech Republic qualify for the EHF EURO 2018, where the 29-year-old centre back wants to shine in the spotlights again.
Czech Republic are facing some well-known opponents in Group D in Brest – Romania, Norway and Germany. Some spicy match-ups for Luzumova, who is a star in Germany and was a main factor when the Czechs eliminated Romania at last year’s worlds by scoring six goals in their 28:27 win.
“We lost against Romania two years ago in Sweden by two goals, but we eliminated them last year at the World Championship,” the centre back says. “I think they underestimated us back then, but it will be a different story this time. The team has developed. We are more mature and experienced.”
Two days after their opener against Romania on 1 December, Czech Republic will be facing defending champions Norway, before taking on Germany in their final game of the preliminary round on 5 December.
“We have nothing to lose against Norway. It will be a tough match as we have not been doing well against them for years,” Luzumova says. “Against Germany, it might as well be the decisive match of the group for us.”
“Opponents are aware of our strengths now”
Since becoming an independent nation in 1993, Czech Republic have featured at five EHF EURO events and six World Championships. The EHF EURO 2018 in France will be their third straight major tournament.
Being a regular contender nowadays, “teams count on us and will be aware of our strengths,” Luzumova says. “There is no easy opponent at the European Championship. The expectations are high, everyone sees us advancing from the group, given the historic eighth place at the World Championship 2017. We have to approach it match by match and do what we can to grab at least that third place to go through.”
Since making her debut in 2009, Luzumova has become captain and leader of the national team, having played in 101 matches and scored 423 goals going into the EHF EURO preparation period.
“It is always an honour and matter of pride to wear the national team jersey,” she says. “As a captain, the pressure and the expectations on me double up, but I absolutely enjoy every match for the national team.”
Not just in the Czech team, also at her club, THC, Luzumova has become a true leader.
“The coach believes in me and I believe in this team,” she says. “Our biggest strength is the team spirit. It does not matter who scores the goals, as long as someone does and we win the matches.”
“EHF EURO is the highlight for this generation, the peak of our careers”
The Czech team is led by coach Jan Basny, who has been at the helm since 2010 and is one of the longest-serving national team coaches at the EHF EURO 2018.
Basny has coached the team throughout its rise in recent years, and he earns significant credit for the improved results.
“Coach Basny has been speaking about the EURO in France for two years now,” Luzumova says. “He declares it to be the highlight for this generation, the peak of our international careers.”
While Czech Republic have every reason to be optimistic for their adventure in France, they will have to do without two important players, who are injured: right back Michaela Hrbkova, who scored 30 goals at the EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden two years ago, and defensive specialist Petra Manakova.
However, Luzumova believes the team can fill the gaps.
“Petra is an important player for our defence and can play at various positions,” she says. “But last year at the World Championship we missed Jana Knedlikova, and still managed an historic achievement for Czech Republic.”
Knedlikova is present this time, and barring other injuries, Luzumova is confident that the Czech team can do well again.
“I hope no one will get injured and the whole team will stay healthy, including Jana, who is in good form this season and will help us a lot,” she says. “We have a balanced team that can get a positive result.”
With Luzumova and Knedlikova the obvious star players, the Czech team is well-balanced with a range of younger players, who are fighting for their chance to shine on the European stage.
“We have a good combination of experience and young enthusiasm in the team,” Luzumova says. “We don’t have stars at every position, but we have a great team spirit and we are able to transform that into results on the court.”
TEXT:
Tomas Cuncik / ew / ts