Your team qualified for the championship in Belgium, which is a huge achievement. Will the final tournament be a reward for the coach, or do you rather feel a huge responsibility?
Probably no one expected that our 19th team would pass through the difficult qualification sieve… Immediately after advancing, all the girls accepted the fact that they will have to work hard, because we have a big tournament ahead of us. People from the football environment praised us. I was also with the chairman of FAČR. I felt that the football environment appreciated our success. At the same time, I felt that our performance deserved more support from the public. To play twice in a row at the European Championship in our conditions is simply a miracle.
The start of the Fantasy League is approaching
What are your ambitions going into the tournament now?
It is possible to progress from the European Under-19 Championship to the World Championship, but that is absolute science fiction for us. While the men’s EURO, for example, has twenty-four participants, only eight of Europe’s best teams play here. Most of the players from the opponents’ squads start in the top teams and within two or three years they play an important role in the national team. For us, it will be a huge experience for each of the representatives. They will play in big stadiums, in a great environment.
The preparation for the championship was indeed record-breakingly fast. The meeting was on Friday last week and you will be playing on Tuesday. How difficult was it for you?
It should be highlighted that we managed to organize an extraordinary training camp during June, during which we played with Germany. It was a very beneficial camp. But of course we don’t have to lie to ourselves, entering the championship without longer preparation is not ideal. Other countries are better off. But this concerns the overall situation and perception of women’s football in society, which results in better football and financial conditions.
What is the dream scenario for the preparation before a tournament like the European Championship?
We need to be aware of the overall perception of women’s football in society. Austria founded a girls’ football academy four years ago. The coaching staff has the girls under control in terms of training, nutrition, and regeneration. It is therefore not surprising that their selection has made huge progress and is capable of defeating great powers such as Germany or Italy. In Sweden, the under-15 girls’ national team meets every fortnight. Here, it meets four times a year… In France, on the other hand, academies operate on the basis of millions of contributions within clubs, where girls are trained alongside boys up to a certain age, and then everything is selected. We are somewhere in the middle. Sparta, Slavia and Slovácko allow women’s football a lot of space. But otherwise the environment is very different. But I’m not complaining. I’m just stating a fact.
Photo: FAČR/PJml
This is how the Czech soccer players celebrated their 3:2 victory over Jamaica.
Your team’s opponents will be France, Iceland and Spain. What can be expected in confrontations with these countries?
France and Spain are two or three classes away from us. Our girls can play football in Czech conditions. But here they will have to deal with a completely different challenge in terms of time, which the opponents simply won’t give them. There is a huge difference in strength and combat maturity. As in speed. Of course, girls are aware of this. And as for Iceland… A lot of people think it’s a weak soccer country. But it’s not like that at all. They play football there at a professional level at all levels.
Do you have an idea of what the Czech team should present at the championship?
We are realists. We have an excellent team. Maximum concentration and determination. The basic principle of our game is a perfect press. If we don’t stick to this premise, we might not meet the ball at all. During the confrontation with Germany, we did everything according to the tactical plan, but it was obvious that the opponent’s strength was elsewhere. I repeat to the girls that it will be great experience and beautiful experiences. And if we don’t come back with zero points and scored goals, it will be a great reward.
2023-07-17 20:32:33
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