today 14:50
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Despite not very high expectations, Slovakia is considered an unexpected “black horse” at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Former representative Michal Hreus is looking forward to the great success of the selection of Craig Ramsay, but points out that it is not over yet!
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the Slovak hockey players managed to eliminate the favored Americans in the quarterfinals after a huge drama, and after 12 years they will play for medals.
Representatives with a double cross on their jerseys had to reach the absolute bottom of their forces, as only a few seconds before the final horn they were able to send the fight into overtime and finally decided on the procedure in separate raids.
Wednesday’s duel with the USA was also very specific for the former national team Michal Hreus, which 22 years ago, with his goal, decided to eliminate the Americans at the World Championships 2000 in St. Petersburg and the historical progress of Slovakia to the semifinals. In the end, it ended with a final loss to the Czech Republic.
Even the early 49-year-old native of Žilina survives the struggles of the Slovaks at the Beijing Games, but he claims that although the very procedure among the best four is very exceptional, nothing is still done.
“We already have a great way to go, but we can’t be satisfied,” said the 43-time former Slovak national team in an interview with ŠPORT.sk.
Two difficult losses helped a lot in the beginning
How do you feel about what Slovak hockey players are showing at the Olympic tournament and that they will be playing for medals?
“I am just looking forward to it. It is already an amazing success! Of course, first of all it has to fit everything well, which we saw in the first two matches, which we did not manage as a result. We got up to 10 goals. It’s nice that this Olympic model gave us the opportunity to ‘catch’ mistakes and still fight in the tournament. We got caught in the match with the Latvians, because every newly created team also needs a victory.
It was necessary for the psyche and the overall mood in the team. We scored five goals and Jurl Slafkovsky was joined by other shooters, which is nice. Then, when you have positive emotions on your side in the ‘knockout’, you are able to compensate for the unfavorable situation even in the last seconds. If you want to advance to the tournament, the jigsaw simply has to sit. With a well-tuned team, you are then dangerous for everyone. ”
Slovakia defeated the USA after a great drama, when it managed to equalize in a game without a goalkeeper in the last seconds and then still succeed in the raids. Something like this is extremely valuable for the team, even mentally. Do you agree?
“Exactly. At the same time, the team can better spend the initial high losses. They managed to cope with them very well, as we entered the match against the Americans with two victories and excellent performances. The team’s self-confidence is stronger and this win has helped a lot. When the boys believe that, luck is on their side.
Good performance and victory, moreover after such a drama, will strengthen the game even more. After losses, it is difficult to heal, especially in team sports and especially in hockey. The coaching team around Craig Ramsay is doing a great job in this area as well, and I think we are on a very good wave, which has also helped us against the USA. ”
Patrik “potatil”. Paľo is definitely proud
The tournament started in the goal of Branislav Konrád, who was then replaced by Matej Tomek. When Patrik Rybár got to the gate, he didn’t let anyone else into it. How do you perceive his performances?
“It simply came to our notice then. In a tournament, someone always sits such an opponent and another. It’s similar for players when someone has a form and can keep it. For example, in St. Petersburg, Jano Lašák, who traveled there as a second, showed up. Paťo took advantage of his chance, which he firmly grasped, and his nomination in matches is certainly justified. ”
Fisherman was also with you in St. Petersburg, but at that time Patrik’s father Pavol. How do you look at our matches when a goalkeeper named Rybár on his back conjures up in the goal, but he is the son of your former teammate from Slovan and the national team?
“Paľo can be proud. Such a thing is a big thing for every single former player when a son ‘stumbles’ and catches on the top stage. There is nothing more beautiful than when a son follows in his father’s footsteps at such a level. But I can ask him that (laughs). We meet quite often. He is definitely proud of Patrick. ”
You mentioned St. Petersburg. It was you who scored the decisive goal in the quarterfinals at the time in the quarterfinals and it was a historic advance to the semifinals. Did you make today’s duel special?
“Of course. Moreover, it was very similar, as we eliminated the Americans at the time, who also did not lose even once in the tournament. They just failed with us and packed their bags. But we didn’t play it as dramatically then as the guys did today (laughs). These were nerves until the last second and the raid. ”
What do you say to young players in our team led by five-goal Juraj Slafkovsky?
“They have been talked about a lot for a long time. They also performed in a good light in the senior team at the World Championships, and they also perform well in Beijing. It’s amazing that we got to the semifinals with such young guys. I’m pleasantly surprised. Everyone already knows that Ďuro Slafkovský is a great talent, but few people expected that it will be like this at the Olympics. I keep my fingers crossed for him and I believe that you have kept something on the stick for the last two matches. ”
We cannot succumb to emotions. It’s not done yet
You probably wouldn’t mind if Slovakia imitated your journey 22 years ago, wouldn’t you?
“Certainly not, but it’s great that Slovakia is among the top four in the Olympics. We already have a great way to go, but we still cannot be satisfied. We can’t consider it done yet. We must continue to do so. Game discipline and psychological resilience will certainly speak into it.
We really have to put everything into it. From commitment, through heart, to happiness, which we must take to our side. Anything can happen now. Each medal will be great for us and it doesn’t matter how bright it will be. The boys have a lot of work to do, thanks to which they managed to make Slovak hockey visible again after years. ”
However, it will be very challenging, as they have played five matches in the last seven days and have another extremely difficult duel ahead of them. What will be needed now?
“Hockey is a little different than other sports. From the point of view of the ‘knockout’, it is important who has how much free, who will play, how much she will play and also whether the players are kept in the rhythm of the match. It is difficult for coaches, but sometimes it is better when the team is in a higher match load. Of course, sometimes it can be detrimental as the players run out of energy. Fortunately, we managed to do it very well.
We now have a well-deserved two days off (almost all of Wednesday and Thursday). Again, we have enough time to regenerate to prepare for the final phase of the tournament. The rhythm of the match is important, but these two days will come in handy after such a difficult program. Now there should be nothing to stop us from delivering another full performance. ”
Many people in Slovakia didn’t believe this team that much and certainly few expected it to reach the semifinals. We play for medals. What will be needed so that the players do not get carried away and stay skated on the ice?
“Guys can’t let their concept be decided at all. Since they came to the tournament, they go step by step. They fought hard, but now it can’t happen that they think we’re the favorite. Not. We may be the ‘black horse’ of the tournament, but it would be a big mistake for the team to succumb to the emotions of the outside world. ”
It would be very nice if the guys managed to finish what Slovakia failed to do 12 years ago in Vancouver with Pavel Demitr. Do you agree?
“Exactly. When players from that team, including coach Ján Floc, mention this, they are very sad that in the end they did not manage to win at least some medals. We were very close to advancing to the finals. We also had a great bronze medal match and it was nothing. Every single medal is a very rare thing for every single Olympian. It’s a beautiful mint. Just because it happens every four years.
This result is already excellent from the point of view of our hockey, but as far as the personal ambitions of each boy are concerned, there will simply be a huge effort to fight for it. I believe that they will succeed, because it will be for them. And not just for them. Fantastic memories for the rest of my life. ”
Do you think that Slovakia will eventually bring a medal under the Tatras?
“It is difficult for me to predict. Opponents who really know how to play tournament ends are waiting for us. But I believe it. I do not dare say which reflection it will be, but I believe that we will finally be lucky and win the Olympic medal. After the match with America, I am more inclined to believe that we will break it than if we were to travel home empty-handed. ”
