Juraj Slafkovský and Tomáš Jurčo say how they celebrated bronze from the 2022 Olympic Games – SME.sk

KOŠICE. After the stormy celebrations on the SNP Square in Bratislava, the bronze boys were also enjoyed by fans in eastern Slovakia.

The attackers Juraj Slafkovský and Tomáš Jurčo accepted the invitation of their parent club HC Košice to throw the ceremonial bulls before the match of the extra league with Nové Zámky.

Both natives of Košice also visited the Steel Arena with precious Olympic metals from Beijing.

He enjoyed the celebratory bus ride the most

After demanding celebrations, Jurčo would have difficulty managing the journey from the capital to the metropolis of the East.

“It would not be good to drive after such fatigue. I am grateful that my girlfriend got behind the wheel. The celebrations in Bratislava were perfect. It was great to experience it first hand.

The best bus ride was through the streets of Bratislava. Even people standing in traffic jams waved and smiled at us instead of being nervous. It is something unusual in Slovakia, “Jurčo described.

He was looking forward to Košice fans, although he would have preferred if more of them could come to the stadium.

“On the other hand, Juraj and I are glad that we didn’t have to leave for our teams right away and we could still enjoy people at home,” said Jurčo.

He was surprised by the club’s reaction

He will return to his club Barys Nur-Sultan in a few days. The break that the league had during the Olympic Games ends in the KHL.

“Teams are currently playing preparatory matches to warm up. I didn’t have to go there because I was at the pace of the match.

At the club, they were glad to represent them at the Olympics. I also saw some congratulatory posts on Instagram. I was surprised how excited they were, “Jurčo admitted.

The current tense situation between Russia and Ukraine, which could disrupt the KHL program, is still lagging behind.

“Of course, I thought about it. I got responses from the club and the agent in the sense that nothing is happening and everything is fine. I hope that nothing will change,” said Jurčo.

His parents keep him down

Among Slovak hockey players, the 17-year-old from Košice clearly attracted the most attention in Beijing. With seven goals, Juraj Slafkovský became the best scorer and the most useful player.

“I am incredibly happy for the company I got into. I looked at the players who received this award in front of me and it is an honor for me. I wish I had at least as much career as they had,” Slafkovský wished.

He is said to be able to cope with growing popularity despite his young age.

“I can’t imagine that it could wave at me in any way. I have a goal that I want to achieve and I’m going for it. My parents guide me and keep me down,” said a great Slovak talent.

He will exhibit the medal in the game room

Slafkovsky in Turku, Finland, they return with a small celebration when they return. However, he is more interested in whether he will get a bigger opportunity than he has so far during the season.

“I believe that I put less pressure on them with my performances in Beijing. I hope that will change and I will play more,” said Slafkovsky.

Slovak hockey players will not remember the diet in China in a good way. That’s why they were looking forward to going to their loved ones.

“Mom and sister are great cooks. Whatever they cook, it will be a big upgrade from what we ate in Beijing. The food there was not ideal. Several boys lost weight there, including me,” Jurčo smiled.

The medal will have a special place at his home, although he does not yet know where to exhibit it.

“It will probably be somewhere in the casino, where I have discarded and framed jerseys and trophies on display. In addition to the puck with which I scored my first goal in the NHL, it will have the most important place,” Jurčo revealed.

He will definitely not buy a car first

A busy program awaits Slafkovsky after the successful Olympics. In addition to Finland’s top competition, it should also take part in the World Championships under 18 and 20 in the summer, and will most likely play at the Senior World Championships again.

“It’s a lot, but I enjoy hockey. The coaches of the eighteen told me that they were counting on me and they would like me to come and help the team fight its way into the highest category.

I would like to repay them in this way for how they have helped me in the past. However, it will also depend on the duties of the club. The playoffs in Finland should be played at that time, “Slafkovský said.

He also admitted that he had lost a lot of weight in Beijing. However, he caught up very quickly thanks to his mother’s diet.

“She prepared my favorite potato salad with steak. Like at Christmas. I can still eat that when I come home. In Bratislava we had dumplings, shuffles and similar dishes for lunch, which they probably don’t even know in China,” said Slafkovský.

Slafkovský does not plan to quickly spend money from the bonus that the hockey players received for the bronze medal from the Olympics.

“I will probably surprise more, but my first investment will definitely not be a car. I’d rather save on something more meaningful. But I still don’t know exactly what I’m going to spend on them,” said the 17-year-old hockey player.

All about hockey at the 2022 Olympic Games