I am Well Aware That Many Would Like to Be in My Place, Admitted Youth National Team Player Marek Fleischman

The talented goalkeeper from Prachatice, Marek Fleischman, led the Horals' junior team from the playoff round to the preliminary round and hopes to advance to the playoffs. Marek was also a cornerstone of the U16 gold team from Liberec.

We See It as a Commitment to Further Work

Marek, your junior team from Prachatice has advanced to the preliminary round of the playoffs. Is there satisfaction with this result in the locker room?

I think it's just healthy satisfaction. But of course, we are happy that it worked out this way and we can fight to play against the best teams in the country. We see it as a commitment to further work.

In the preliminary round, you will face Ústí's Elba, with whom you have an even record of 2:2 this season. What do you expect from the matches, and do you have a recipe for success?

I definitely expect fighting spirit and the desire to fight for every ball. As you said, it will be balanced, and personally, I think it will be decided by who goes all out and who wants it more. The recipe isn't particularly secret: be strong in personal duels and play diligently in defense.

You personally did well in the playoff group. You had the best average of goals conceded. Did the spring part of the season suit you?

Individual statistics are one thing. I try not to pay too much attention to them and focus more on the team's performance, but the spring part went well in my eyes. The important thing for me now is to build on previous performances and help the team as much as possible. This is the part of the season where I can really show myself because I know I can perform under pressure, and it pushes me to deliver my best performances.

It Was Probably the Best Experience of My Life

The one-year anniversary of the very successful World Championship in Liberec is approaching, where you won a gold medal with the U16 national team and also became a member of the All-Star team. How do you look back on this event?

I look back on it only positively. It was incredible and probably the best experience of my life. But that's talking about the past. For me, the goal is clear now: the World Championship in Žilina, where I want to defend both team and individual performances at all costs and hang the gold around my neck again.

You are a regular participant in the U18 national team's camps. Do you think that the success from Liberec motivates you to repeat it at the World Championship in Žilina?

Absolutely. What drives me forward is that I promised my grandfather, who is no longer with us, the same as last year, that I would bring him gold again. The feeling I had when I could put that medal on his grave was incredible, and I want to experience it again. Overall, it's the most we can experience in our careers. It was a huge honor for me because I am well aware that many people would like to be in my place. Also, to bring it and prove it for my family, who support me immensely and have to have enormous patience with me.