Para hockey players reached 5th place in Russia
The city of Chanty-Mansijsk hosted the Ugra Cup international tournament. The event was attended by Czech para hockey players led by coach Jiří Bříza. After a breathtaking match with Slovakia on the final placement, our players ended up in fifth place.
From the 5th to the 10th of November, Russia held the Ugra Cup tournament between the Czech, Japanese and Slovakian para hockey teams with the participation of the Fenix Moscow, Udmurtija Izhevsk and Jugra Chanty-Mansijsk club units. Out of the two groups consisted of three teams, the two best teams always went straight to the semifinals.
Czech players in the group came across Japan and the domestic Jugra Chanty-Mansijsk. With the club from the highest Russian competition our team lost big with a score of 0: 7. Nonetheless, the team’s main coach found several positive points: “From the tactical point of view we were the best players in the entire tournament.
With a rival from the Far East, Czechs lost 3: 4 in the extension. Habl scored twice against Japan and Kvoch scored once.”We were lacking quality in the match. Four players of the team make up were not with us in Russia, but we still had the reins in our hands. Bad handling of scoring opportunities and tactical mistakes in defensive activity offered a draw with an extension, ” Bříza sayd, regretting the unfortunate loss of the match.
In the match for the final placement the Czech team was awaiting their “brothers” from Slovakia. In a stunning and equal match the Czech team eventually won 2: 1 in an extended. Habl managed to score both winning shots.
“According to the game play of both teams, the number of shots and chances, the opponent deserved the victory. On our part, the second third was the worst part of the tournament. But the aim is to score and we were happier in the end ” Jiří Bříza commented on the match process for the fifth to sixth place. You may read his alverall tournament evaluation here.
Source: Paralympic.cz
Photo: Czech sled lions a Slovak Para Ice Hockey
