Success in Hradec Was a Golden Finish to My Youth National Team Career, Evaluates Recent WJC Vojtěch Jágr

The World Championship in Switzerland? Above all, it showed me what top-level ball hockey looks like

Vojta, how are the men’s national team preparations for the World Championship in Ostrava going?

Before the start of the season, we completed a five-day training camp in Boskovice, and now in February another camp awaits us in Plzeň. Otherwise, during the season everyone prepares individually so that they can show themselves in the best possible light at the camps.

Do you already have an idea of what your role in the team might be at the June championship?

At the moment, I can’t know anything at all, because the nomination is still not closed and I don’t know whether I’ll even go. But of course, I’ll accept any role that might come up.

You already have experience with the men’s national team from Visp and Raron. How did your first World Championship among adults move you forward?

It gave me a lot of experience. Above all, it showed me what ball hockey of the highest quality looks like and what still needs to be worked on for the future.

I’m looking forward to the whole championship overall, and especially to a great team spirit

You already have a silver medal in your collection. What do you think needs to be done better this year to take home the most valuable metal?

I think that even in Switzerland, very little was missing. If we played the same ball hockey as at the World Championship in Switzerland and just managed to finish the final with a win. Otherwise, I don’t think there’s anything else that could be done better.

After the men’s World Championship in Switzerland, you returned to the U23 national team, where gold followed. How do you remember Hradec?

It was a golden finish to my youth national team career. I remember it only in a positive way, because an incredible group came together, and that’s the most important thing.

And what are you most looking forward to in Ostrava?

Probably the whole championship overall, and above all the great group of people that will come together.

Vojtěch Jágr led the Czech U23 national team to gold at the Junior World Championship in Hradec Králové. Photo credit: Vojtěch Zajíc.