The Slovak U18 team will travel to Liberec with high ambitions

"I believe that we have made good choices."

How was the nomination for the World Championship formed?
We had five selection camps where we tried out many players. We observed how they worked and developed. We had a pretty good overview of where each player stood and how they fit into the puzzle. It wasn't easy; this was one of the most challenging nominations to make. We had up to four players competing for a single spot, and my colleague Tomáš Hirkala and I had lengthy discussions. I believe we made the right choices, and I hope the others will continue to work on themselves because they are talented players.

What was the most challenging aspect of forming the nomination?
During the second camp, we knew that we needed to enhance the team's quality, and as time went on, the team's identity became clearer. We more or less had the first line set, but there were many candidates for the second, third, and fourth lines. Unfortunately, we had to adhere to the roster limit.

How do you feel about the team?
Every team is different, and each nomination comprises different types of players, which requires us to adjust our tactics accordingly. This team is tactically mature and in good physical condition. So it will be crucial for us to be effective in finishing and one-on-one battles. I have a good feeling, and we have the highest ambitions.

You start against Switzerland. How satisfied are you with the draw, and what are your ambitions?
The tournament is short, with six games in four days, and it will be tough to give our all in each one. We want to secure the best possible position before the semifinals. The draw is what it is, neither bad nor ideal. We will take it one game at a time.

Source: hokejbal.sk.