Karlovy Vary edged out Liberec 2-1 in the opening match of their Czech Extraliga play-off quarterfinal series on Friday, a contest decided by a single goal, according to post-match comments from both head coaches.
Liberec’s newly appointed head coach, Jiří Kudrna, acknowledged a slow start contributed to the defeat. “Byla to vyrovnaná bitva [It was an even battle],” Kudrna said. “Možná nám malinko ublížil úvodní gól a dostávali jsme se pak pomaleji do tempa [Perhaps the opening goal hurt us a little and we got into the rhythm more slowly]. We had chances at times, and so did our opponent. We tried to be active, but we were always a step behind. We conceded the first goal, then the second. The difference was one goal, which shows how even the teams were. The key was efficiency. Our opponent scored one more goal, and we need to be more careful in front of our goal next time. I believe we otherwise set in a very good performance.” Kudrna, who took over the head coaching position in March 2025 after six years as an assistant coach with the club, stated his team will focus on regeneration before the second game.
The appointment of Kudrna marked a significant change for the Bílí Tygři Liberec, following the end of Filip Pešán’s contract after a first-round play-off exit. Kudrna’s promotion from assistant coach was described by sport director Michal Birner as a “logical choice,” mirroring the club’s strategy of developing talent internally, according to reporting from iLIBERECKO.cz. He previously served as head coach of Benátky nad Jizerou, a farm team for Liberec, for two seasons.
Karlovy Vary head coach Pavel Patera described the game as “hodně vyrovnaný [very even]”. “Chvilkami byl lepší Liberec, chvilkami zase my [At times Liberec was better, at times it was us],” Patera said. “Měli jsme možná trochu víc štěstí [We maybe had a little more luck]. We wanted to win, and we succeeded. But it’s only one step.”
Kudrna’s journey to the head coaching role began during his playing career, when then-Liberec coach Pepa Jandač predicted he would become a coach, as Kudrna recalled in an interview with drbna.cz. He transitioned to coaching after considering his options as he approached his thirties, drawn to the daily interaction with the ice. The club website reported Kudrna expressed his readiness for the challenge, stating, “I am prepared.”
The second game of the series is scheduled to be played in Liberec, with both teams anticipating a similarly close contest.
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