Canada’s win over Sweden confirmed the Czech Republic’s top spot in Group A. And it hadn’t happened in a long time. Even for a very long time. To give you an idea: Tomas Plekanec was part of the team and he was 18 years old.
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That was 2001. That year, the Czechs relied on star player Pavel Brendl, who took first place in the competition with 10 points in seven games and led the Czech Republic to the gold medal. They then beat Finland 2-1 in the final of that tournament, held in Moscow, Russia, in which Canada won the bronze medal.
This first place in Group A for the Czech Republic is their first in 22 years. And as long as it’s there, you might as well not be satisfied!
“Before the tournament started, we just wanted to reach the quarterfinals. That was our goal. That being said, our first four games mean nothing for now. It’s too early to judge our game,” said Czech head coach Radim Rulik cautiously.
“It’s just the group stage!” added defender David Jiricek. Next week will be very pleasant. »
EXPERIENCE
This is still quite a contrast to the last World Juniors presented in Edmonton just a few months ago last August. The Czechs had finished fourth in Group A with a 1-2-1 record. They then caused an upset in the quarterfinals by eliminating the United States before losing to Canada in the semifinals.
As of this August edition, 16 players are back.
“This experience helps us,” assures captain Stanislav Svozil. Also, we’ve known each other for four or five years and we’ve been playing together for a long time. The last tournament in the summer looked like a preparatory tournament because it was our first game of the year. Now we arrive after playing season games, so it’s much better. »
The same applies to coach Rulik.
“Even for me, the tournament helped last year because it was my first experience with the team and it was my first time with this group of players. For them it is experience that cannot be bought. You have to live it and they did. »
The Czechs meet Switzerland, fourth in Group B, in the quarter-finals on Monday.
Photo John Morris / Agency QMI
With an 8-1 win over Germany on Saturday, the Czechs finished top of Group A with three wins and one loss in extra time.