The national team has already trained. Mašín joined the preparation, Červenka is the captain

Finnish defender Ilves Tampere skipped morning training because he was awaiting coronavirus test results. After learning he was healthy, he joined the preparation. Coach Kari Jalonen awarded the captain’s crest to the most experienced player of the selection, Roman Červenka, just like at the World Cup.

“We agreed with the manager on a tournament and it worked in Karjala. Perhaps also because the first months of the season are more demanding, so I welcomed the possibility of breaking away from the stereotype. In December the club will have a more packed schedule.” , revealed Červenka, top scorer of the Swiss championship in Rapperswill (4 + 22).

Three rookies also completed their first training session. Spartan David Vitouch was very surprised by the nomination, his teammate Martin Jandus did not even believe it and suspected that the compliments made fun of him. “For me it is a milestone in my career, I really appreciate this possibility,” said the 24-year-old defender.

Pardubice forward Patrik Poulíček even had to explain to his wife that he would not pick her up at the airport when he returned from vacation, as he was also nominated for the national team. “We were both pleasantly surprised, but my wife is understanding me and she supports me in everything.”

In the Budvar arena, the national team will have a total of four training sessions before participating in the first Euro Hockey Tour tournament with a duel against the Swedes on Thursday. After flying to Turku on Friday, they will face Finland on Saturday and Switzerland on Sunday.

“We had a meeting in the hotel on Monday evening, we still have four training sessions before the game. Today we focused on aggressive preliminary checks, we want to play hockey again at five. There is no more space, the games will be more important”, the coach said.