Star hockey forward Jaromír Jágr believes that despite failing to qualify for the World Cup and historic defeat by Austria, the Czech national team will succeed in the tournament in Finland. The two-time world champion understands that fans want the national team to put in a great performance from the start of the tournament, but according to him, the key is to advance to the playoffs. There is only a decision about success.
“I know from my experience that rabbits count after the hunt. Czech hockey fans of course want the team to come to the World Cup and win all the games from the start. And they won the last one in the final. The reality is a completely different, balanced team. The details are very important,” said Jágr at the State Printing House of Securities, where the final phase of printing commemorative cards in the form of banknotes issued for the February 50s personally attended today.
Jágr has competed in the World Championships ten times and has endured a number of difficult situations in the tournament. “During my career I was in a team where we struggled to get out of the group early and we won in the end. On the other hand, I was in a team where we only lost one game and finished third. And we played our best hockey. ” shows the legendary 68s.
“It’s also about luck. I believe the team will come together and put on a better performance than before. Now nothing matters. The most important thing is to get between the four groups and advance to the elimination battle,” said game owner from extra league Kladno.
The most prolific European in NHL history realized that the Czech fans were very happy after winning the Czech and Sweden Matches before the World Cup. But every year it’s always the same.
“The fans are always excited. But more or less they judge everything based on the last game. When you win last you are the best, when you lose you are the worst. But no,” said Jágr.
He had an example on hand. “We don’t have to go far. The last world champions Canada lost in the first three games and ended up winning. They got into the preliminary round by luck and won. Everything is possible and it just depends on the players how they qualify that and go to the next fight, “he said. last year’s championship and the poor entry of overseas selection into it.
Jaromir Jágr Photo: Roman Mareš / Knights of Kladno
The next match awaits the national team today, which is against Latvia. A possible failure will be a significant complication in the fight to advance to the quarter-finals. Jágr is calm even in terms of experience from 2010, when the Czechs were so close to historical progression to the playoffs and eventually winning gold.
“Every game is important. In 2010 in Germany we needed to win the last three games to reach the playoffs. We did and you are already on the winning wave. It will happen with you. I think that’s the key. Maybe if we didn’t play the last three games for all of them, we would never have won in 2010,” said Jágr.
The national team in the NHL, David Pastrňák of Boston, is currently finishing the national team at the World Championships, and Jágr believes he will be a significant reinforcement. However, experienced attackers are also aware of possible adaptation issues.
“He was by far our best player today. Any such player will help. It doesn’t matter if he’s 100% healthy. From my own experience, I can say that it is not very easy to play in the World Cup. Even if you play the NHL and you are one of the best players in the world. “Players focus on you, no one will give you anything for free. If someone thinks that he will come from the NHL and dominate here, that’s not true. I know this from my experience,” Jágr warned Pastrňák from a distance.
“There are a few tournaments I’m really worried about and I’m glad I’m at least a little bit valid for the team,” he said.
Jágr also watched the World Cup in Finland because of Kladno. He tried to find possible reinforcements for the Knights. “On the contrary, I saw a team that no one expected. France and Austria,” said the famous striker.
“Because if there is a player who fits into our team. If he is free. I have to say that this team surprised me a lot, they played with discipline, with a good defense and there were a lot of quality players,” he explained. .
He came to a number of players he wanted to sign. “I like almost everyone. They are really good players and the type I like – strong at the puck, in personal combat. You don’t have to go out of pace. This is hockey that I love and want us to play. I’m looking for players especially for strength hockey,” he said.
His Kladno started his “dry” preparations for the next extra-league season on Monday, Jágr is said to have been training for a long time. “I started training right after the season, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to play 100%,” he said.
“There are only two options. Either I will have it, I will feel good and I will feel that I can help the team. Then I will try to stay fit and play. If not, I will train,” added Jágr, reiterating that no determined to continue his playing career next season.
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