Czech women’s national ice hockey team general manager Tereza Sadilová reported that Petr Macinka personally called the team cabin in Esbjerg to apologize for his remarks characterizing ice hockey as a men’s sport and referring to Russian players as mužatky
(amazons/masculine women).
Sport.cz reported that the apology reached the team ahead of their afternoon training session and official team photoshoot at the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark.
Novinky reported that Macinka admitted in Prague that his Sunday television remarks during CNN Prima News’s Partie Terezie Tománkové were highly inappropriate. Zasel jsem vítr a dnes sklízím bouři za svou nejapnou poznámku týkající se ženského hokeje,
Macinka said, adding that his wife sternly reprimanded him at home regarding the comments.
Super.cz noted that the national team simultaneously released an introduction video showcasing their 25-player roster for the tournament running from November 6 to November 16, drawing widespread fan support.
Sadilová told Sport.cz that the timing of the controversy dealt a difficult blow to the roster just hours before their departure for a match against Switzerland. Plno holek se zrovna probudilo z předzápasového spánku, a tak jsme se to snažili s realizačním týmem trochu korigovat a soustředit se na zápas,
Sadilová said.
Super.cz reported that public figures, including actress Hana Vagnerová, alongside NHL players and fans, rallied behind the roster with a wave of positive messages on official social media channels. Sadilová acknowledged the outpouring, stating that the unification of supporters brought tremendous joy to the squad after initial disappointment.
The team features experienced players such as goaltender Klára Peslarová, defenders Sára Čajanová and Daniela Pejšová, and forwards Kateřina Mrázová and Tereza Vanišová, all seeking to build upon previous bronze medals from 2022 and 2023.
Lawmaker Miroslav Ševčík defended the terminology by citing the Dictionary of Literary Czech ( Slovník spisovného jazyka českého), arguing on CNN Prima NEWS that the term denotes brave and combative women rather than serving as an outright insult. Conversely, Novinky noted that other politicians, including opposition figures, sharply criticized the framing of women’s athletics during tournament week.
Hokejisté Martin Nečas, Adam Klapka či kanoista Vavřinec Hradilek odsoudili výroky ministra zahraničí Petra Macinky v pořadu Partie Terezie Tománkové na CNN Prima NEWS. Předseda Motoristů ve studiu pronesl, že hokej je mužský sport, tak feministky budou muset přežít bez ruských… pic.twitter.com/OYqJTPvqXA
Macinka concluded his public statements by noting that he hopes supporters will now direct their focus toward cheering for Czech goals against tournament opponents rather than political fallout.
The 25-player roster comprises three goaltenders—Daniela Nováková, Klára Peslarová and Aneta Šenková—alongside eight defenders and fourteen forwards.
The defensive corps features Sára Čajanová, Daniela Pejšová, Aneta Tejralová and Ellen Jarabková, while the forward lines include Kristýna Kaltounková, Natálie Mlýnková, Kateřina Mrázová, Tereza Vanišová and Adéla Šapovalivová. Many of these players are seasoned athletes with established careers in competitive foreign leagues rather than tournament newcomers.
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