“I think the group is very playable. With our current quality, we don’t have to worry about anything. We must not underestimate anything, but the clear goal must be to advance. I believe that we can do it together,” the winger Jakub Hrstka told the Czech association.
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The Czech team was ahead of the lot in the second of four performance baskets and was sure to avoid seven opponents. From the best basket, the representatives got Iceland, with which they will repeat the fights from the qualification for promotion to the Euro in 2018. While they lost 24:25 outside, they won in home revenge 27:24. The national team beat the Nordic opponent at the World Cup seven years ago in Qatar, where he unexpectedly won a high of 36:25.
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At the January European Championships in Slovakia and Hungary, the Icelanders finished sixth and had the top scorer of the tournament, Ómar Ingi Magnússon, who scored 59 goals. The Czech team did not advance from the basic group, in which they encountered both later finalists, the winning Sweden and the second Spain. Overall, the representatives took 13th place.
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After the championship, the team experienced experienced coach Rastislav Trtík, whose contract expired and the union’s management did not extend the contract with him. He was replaced on the bench by Spanish coach Xavier Sabaté.
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“Iceland has proven its quality at the last event. After a short time when they rebuilt the skeleton of the team, they have players who are at the top world level. They have a young team with great quality and even experience. years in Europe at the highest level, “said Sabate.
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| Czech team program: |
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| 12./13. October: Czech Republic – Estonia, |
| 15./16. October: Israel – Czech Republic, |
| 8./9. March 2023: Czech Republic – Iceland, |
| 11./12. March 2023: Iceland – Czech Republic, |
| 26./17. April 2023: Estonia – Czech Republic, |
| April 30, 2023: Czech Republic – Israel. |
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The other two Czech rivals in the upcoming qualifying group did not start at this year’s championship. Israel has only played for the Euro in 2002, when it finished 14th. Estonia has never made it to the final tournament.
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The national team has played eight matches with Israel, scoring six victories and one draw and defeat. The last time their opponents competed was in 2013. Estonia’s national team beat the world qualifiers twice in January 2006.
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“Israel may be a little unknown to the fans. They are big fighters and they also have players in the squad who are good. They have been growing in recent years, we have very tough matches ahead of us, especially at home. playground, “said Sabate.
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“If you want to get to the championship, you have to beat quality opponents and you have to be between the top two. That will be our clear goal,” added Sabaté, whose new charges await the April World Cup playoffs against Northern Macedonia.
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The European Qualifiers will take place from October to April next year. The final tournament in Germany will then take place from 10 to 28 January 2024. The Czech team has made it to seven of the last eight European Championships.
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