Coach Suhrada believes in fans´ support

The World Championship is almost behind the door. Like almost every year, the hosts Czechs are one of the top seeded teams. Jiří Suhrada, coach of the first tier team – Zlín, will be on the bench of the national team as well. The successfull coach who led the players to the gold medals in Bilbao, is heading towards another challenge – wining gold at the home world championship.

In what phase the formation of the roster is? Is it set or are you still solving some problems?
It isn´t ready, there are still some questions to answer. We are monitoring the league, the most important part – play off – is still in front of us. When it´s over, everything will go time after time then. We do have some skeleton of the roster and some ideas of who to ask to join the team. Everything will depend on the health of the players and their clubs, if they let them represent.

How do you choose the players? Do you watch games of different teams or do you only watch players when they play against your team, Zlin?
I especially watch players when they play against us, for sure. There are two of us at the national team´s bench, so it´s easier. I follow players from Moravian teams and the second coach watches teams from Bohemia. We have to put it all together so everything fits together then.

Is there any newcomer at the roster or will you rely on experienced players?
I can´t tell at the moment but I think one or two new players will appear at the roster.

Does any national team player play abroad or do you only count on players from the Czech league?
Some of the players have been playing in Spain, so we would like to exploit them. But I think they will come back to the Czech republic for play offs anyway.

When the roster is ready, will you play some friendly games before the Championship?
There may be some friendly games but we will definitely have some training camp. And some players may possibly attend the IIHF Championship in Sweden two weeks before the FIRS Championship in the Czech republic.

Where will you have the training camp?
It should be in Beroun and it should take up the Championship.

Is it a big advantage for you that the Championship takes place in the Czech republic?In ice hockey and soccer it really is an advantage. How big is the attendance at the in-line hockey?
I think it is an advantage. It will depend on how the players can cope with the pressure. I believe, the arena will be full for every Czech game.

Do you have an idea what teams could go for gold?
Canada and the USa belong among top seeded teams every year. They are really strong. France and Switzerland will be tough to play too.

What are the ambitions of the Czech national team?
I hope only the highest ones (laughs).

Jan Tvrzník is the other coach of the national team, how do you split your roles at the bench?
I´ve mentioned how we put the team together and when it comes to our roles at the bench, we have to speak about it before the championship. But I don´t see any problem in it.