Tomakomai 2016: Czech Republic team preview

The Czech Republic have proven why they are favoured to win the Worlds B-Pool. Their recent unbeaten performance at the Four Nations tournament in October and just missing out on a podium spot at the European Championships in April. Perhaps their biggest opponent will be Japan, whom they defeated for seventh place at the Worlds A-Pool but still relegated them to the B-Pool.

Key players

Pavel Kubes will be a key part of his team’s aim to reach the Qualification Tournament for PyeongChang 2018. He has been an integral part of their defence for a decade, competing in two Paralympic Games and four World Championships. Michal Vapenka and Jan Matousek are veterans who will also provide a solid defensive base, while two-time Paralympian Michal Geier may well take charge at the other end of the ice.

Roster

Jiri Berger (D)

Pavel Dolezal (D)

Michal Geier (F)

Zdenek Habl (F)

Miroslav Hrbek (D)

Zdenek Krupicka (F)

Pavel Kubes (D)

Jan Matousek (G)

Martin Novak (F)

David Palat (F)

Jiri Raul (F)

Zdenek Safranek (F)

Michal Vapenka (G)

The 2016 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool will feature Japan, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Great Britain between 28 November – 3 December. The top three teams will progress to the qualification tournament for PyeongChang 2018.

All team previews for the World Championships B-Pool, set to get underway in Tomakomai, Japan, can be viewed at the event website.