Christmas Kaufland Cup: Marek Ďaloga on Olympic Prospects – Interview

The year was 2022 and the Slovak hockey team was preparing for the opening match of the Olympic tournament in Beijing. The day before the sharp start, however, everything got complicated.

Defender MAREK ĐALOGA he felt a pinch in training, after a while he knew it was bad. A tear in the groin – an inconspicuous injury that, however, deprived him of the opportunity to participate in even one match.

“I was very disappointed, but at the same time proud that I could be there. What the guys showed was unreal,” he says today with hindsight.

Three years later, he dresses in national colors again. This time on Christmas Kaufland Cupwhich is not just another national team match for him.

At the age of 36, he is inconspicuous, but all the more persistently claims the third Olympic place of his career.

Although he claims to live from day to day, motivation does not have to be looked for far – the unfinished story of Beijing is still somewhere in him.

And now he has a chance to write its sequel.

After a long time, you are returning to the national team. How did you experience it and in what mood did you come to the meeting?

The mood is very good. Honestly, I was looking forward to it. After all, it is different when a person can be in the national jersey again. We’ll see what comes, but I’m glad to be here.

Are you surprised that the coaches are still counting on you even after all these years and health problems?

Absolutely not. I was already in contact with the coaches last year, but then health problems stopped me. Now they called me and I came. I am ready to do my best.

You were last part of the selection for the Beijing 2022 Olympics. However, you did not play the match due to injury. How do you remember that tournament?

The memories are good after all. I was very disappointed with the injury, but at the same time I was proud to be there. What the guys did in that tournament was something unreal.

You still have the medal. Do you take it as a form of satisfaction, even if you couldn’t hit the game?

One never knows what will happen. Sure, I was sorry I couldn’t continue, but I was happy with what the team was able to do. Being a part of that, even from a distance, was very valuable to me.

How do you feel about your chance to fight for the next Olympics?

Honestly? I don’t deal with it. I live from day to day. I want to enjoy this camp and give my best. What will be will be.

One does not know what will happen tomorrow. That’s how I’m set up.

Why do you look at it this way? Is it because you have been injured more than once at important moments?

It’s hard to say, I can’t fully answer that. Last year I was supposed to go to a meeting twice – once the club wouldn’t let me in, then I was sick.

The coaches and I also dealt with the World Cup, but I had a more serious problem – a concussion – I had to get myself together after the season.

I guess it taught me to take things as they come. The coaches know us, they know what we do on the ice. I came, I’m working and we’ll see.

Nevertheless, are you ready to fight for a place and show yourself in the best possible light?

Sure, that’s why I’m here. Otherwise I wouldn’t even come here.

If you were to get a place in Milan, it would be your third Olympics. In 2018, you competed for the first time at the Olympics in Pyeongchang. What do you remember from this tournament?

It was an experience of a lifetime. I played there with excellent players, I experienced a great tournament. And now the motivation is even greater, since in the case of the next Olympics, players from the NHL should also be there. This always adds another dimension to the tournament.

If you managed to get to the next Olympics, would you take it as an imaginary career highlight?

It would certainly be very nice. But as I say, it’s still a long way off for me. I don’t deal with that. I let everything flow.

Let’s move on to the season in Brno. In the regular season, Comet is in the top spots and is once again among the biggest favorites. How do you rate the team’s performance?

The season is going very well. Last year was great and the current one has the same charge. The team stayed together, the team stepped on.

I even think we are a little bit better. I believe we have what it takes to defend the title.

Are you also satisfied with your personal performance?

Yes, I am.

You are among the most experienced Komety players. Do you also have a leadership or mentoring role in the cabin?

We are more experienced in the cabin. We feel at home there, everyone says something, helps the coach when needed. It works naturally for us, the cabin is strong and it works as if by itself.

Is there a lot of pressure in the cabin from the fans or the club for Kometa to go far again this season?

The pressure is everywhere, but especially in clubs that have ambitions. It’s also big in Comet. But the environment is not for everyone: many players tried it and it was not easy.

In my opinion, the pressure is even greater in Sparta or Pardubice. We have quality players and that’s why we did it last year.

You mentioned Sparta or Pardubice. Competition in the league does not sleep, on the contrary. Clubs from the upper ranks are investing and strengthening. How do you perceive the fight for the top of the extra league?

We see it on the ice. Pardubice, Sparta, but also, for example, Třinec got good players. But we also added to the squad well, our manager is doing an excellent job. He has a feeling for the players and knows who to pull.

How do you manage to maintain performance even at an advanced hockey age? Share your recipe.

It’s simple – hard work. It moves you forward. Nothing else works in hockey.

Has your preparation before matches changed in any way compared to when you were younger?

No, I always do what makes me feel good. I have no reason to change it. I haven’t changed my style of play either, I still play the same.

Do you have any other personal hockey goals?

We’ll see. Of course, the Olympics would be nice, but like I said, I’m not planning anything that far. I’m going day by day.