The team around Jaroslav Halák, Andrej Meszároš and Štefan Ružička won a medal for Slovakia at the under-18 WC. It was almost a quarter of a century ago, when in 2003 the team led by Jindřich Novotný won silver. Young Slovaks then lost to Canada in the final 0:3.
Photo: TASR/Pavel Neubauer
The joy of Slovak ice hockey players after advancing to the finals of the WC under 18 years.
After 23 years, Slovak hockey players have a chance to fight for gold again. In the final, coach Martin Dendis’ team will challenge Sweden.
Former Slovak representative Branko Radivojevic (45) watched the semi-final match with Latvia at the Trenčín stadium.
The Dukla native believes that the prediction of Petr Kúdelka, who declared before the championship that the Slovaks will be world champions, will come true.
What was the atmosphere like when the Slovaks advanced to the final right in the stadium?
Famous, as during the entire championship. The guys deservedly advanced to the finals. They were the better team in the match against Latvia.
They may not have converted it into goals, but they scored the one winner and secured their promotion with a smart game. Playing the World Cup final at home is only once in a hundred years. It’s great.
Did Slovaks become nervous?
It was evident on both sides. Both we and the Latvians were aware that there was a lot at stake and whoever loses goes to fight for bronze. Everyone wants to play in the final. It was about tactics.
Now it can fall off the boys. They see that the chance of huge success is very high. I believe that even with the support of the audience, we will make it to the historic gold.
You experienced the pressure from the home World Cup, although in 2011 things did not turn out as expected for the national team. Coach Dendis mentioned after the semi-final that the players are kept in the so-called bubbles. Is it one of the factors in not allowing yourself to be pressured?
It’s hard. The whole of Slovakia lives by it. It’s nice to see everyone wishing the boys well. The stadium is bursting at the seams.
I hope people will make hell in the stadium and prepare the atmosphere to push the boys to the coveted gold.
Photo: Tomáš Somr
Branko Radivojevic Branko Radivojevic as temporary coach of Dukla Trenčín in 2023.
For the fourth year in a row, Slovak ice hockey players are playing for a medal at the Under-18 World Cup. What do you think they owe it to?
A lot depends on the quality of the vintage. However, it would not be possible without a bit of luck. It suits us so far and I only hope that we will be able to transform it in the under-20 category as well. We need to move there and improve our results.
In the final, Slovak hockey players will challenge their peers from Sweden. What kind of opponent is it?
I confess that I really wanted the Czechs. Nothing could possibly be more beautiful than playing the World Cup final at home.
The Swedes have a strong team, but the Czechs were also in a good mood, so it will be a very difficult match. It will be a great climax to the championship. It is the dream of every hockey player.
Before the championship, the coach of the under-17 national team, Peter Kúdelka, announced that the Slovaks would be world champions. Did you catch his statement?
Yes. He was probably the only person from whom I heard it publicly. Many people did not believe him. Maybe everyone thought he was crazy then. He obviously knew what he was talking about since he knows those guys.
The second most productive player of the championship is Timothy Kazda. Does he show he has NHL potential?
First of all, I would like to highlight the entire team. In every match, some player jumps out at you. I’ve known Tim since I was little.
He is a born scorer, who also confirms in the championship that he has a great sense of smell for goals. He didn’t make it in the semi-finals, but I believe he put it off for the finals.
The directorate of the tournament chose captain Adam Goljer as the best defender in Slovakia. Did he confirm that he is the clear leader of young Slovak hockey players?
I have my eyes on Adam and Michal Jakubec as Trenčani. These are guys who grow with every game. Both are playing famously at the WC.
The whole team pulls together. People are driving them and I believe they will overcome even the last obstacle that is in front of them.
The Slovaks managed the semi-final brilliantly, also from the tactical point of view. Is it a strong weapon of the Slovak team?
Coach Dendis shows what he learned in Sweden. It will be a special final for him. I am glad that we are developing a great coach in him and, in the future, a coach of the national team.
What will be the deciding factor in the final?
I believe it will be a home environment. People will create an atmosphere that will bring down the stadium. I believe they have their vocal cords ready and will go all out with the guys from start to finish.
