Jaroslav Martinusík: "Great Teams Win Big Tournaments, and We've Always Proven That"

After a brief hiatus, we return to our Slovak neighbors, whose national ball hockey team achieved the incredible feat of winning four consecutive World Championships. Among the key players of this golden generation was forward Jaroslav Martinusík, who reflects on the highs and lows of his illustriou

"I’ll Never Forget the Atmosphere in Pardubice Against the Czechs"

Jaroslav, let’s start with your international career. Between 2013 and 2019, you won four consecutive World Championship titles. How do you look back on those moments, and what did they mean for your ball hockey career?

Those were undoubtedly the most beautiful years of my ball hockey journey. Achieving what we did—winning such a demanding tournament four times in a row—is almost impossible when you think about it, especially for a small country like Slovakia. These moments are etched in my memory forever, and I’ll never forget them.

There are countless memories I’ll always cherish, but the atmosphere in Pardubice during our match against the Czech Republic stands out. It was in that moment I realized I was living my dream—playing in a packed arena as a professional, not just a kid playing on the streets. That experience made me mentally stronger. After such challenging games, I felt less pressure even in crucial club matches.

You were a key part of Slovakia’s success during those years. What do you think was the team’s greatest strength that allowed you to win four consecutive titles?

Reading this now, it sounds incredible, but it’s unfortunate that not everyone in our federation realized the significance of our accomplishments. Some decisions, like banning me from the World Championship in Canada, were baffling.

That aside, it was always about having a great group of people. Even if there were some rivalries in the domestic league, we would put those aside at the World Championship and support each other both on and off the rink. It’s no coincidence that people say great teams win big tournaments. This camaraderie was undoubtedly a key factor in our success.

Who were your toughest opponents, and which games are the most memorable for you?

I always looked forward to playing against Canada and the USA. As a kid, you dream of playing in the NHL, and facing teams from these countries felt like a slice of that dream.

But of course, there were also the Czechs. Early in my career, I didn’t enjoy playing against them—they were tall, strong, and their long sticks gave me trouble. But as I gained experience, I started scoring against them in almost every game, which gave me confidence. I’ll never forget the legendary match in Pardubice, where the game was decided by penalty shots after a 0-0 draw.

„I’d like to keep playing for two more years and aim for the 2026 World Championship in Ostrava“

You often played alongside Milan Rampáček, a former teammate from Skalica who is now the head coach of the Slovak national team. How did you enjoy your partnership on the rink?

Playing with Milan made everything easier. We clicked both on and off the rink. Milan was the playmaker, and I was the finisher—it was a perfect match. We didn’t even need to communicate verbally; we instinctively knew where to find each other on the rink.

I sometimes wish time hadn’t flown by so quickly because moments like those won’t come back. But I’m grateful for the memories, and I believe fans and even opponents appreciated our style of play.

The last two World Championships were disappointing for Slovakia, as you missed out on the medal rounds. What needs to change for the team to return to the top?

It’s becoming increasingly challenging. Even teams like Portugal are tough to beat these days. Our loss in Switzerland came down to individual mistakes, which are unforgivable at this level. But as a team, we win together, and we lose together. I don’t blame anyone.

You’ve stayed loyal to your hometown club Skalica, one of the top teams in Slovakia’s Extraliga. How would you describe your team?

We’re more than just teammates—we’re friends who enjoy playing ball hockey together. That camaraderie has always been our strength. Even though Skalica is a small town, we’ve achieved remarkable success because of this unity.

You’re 33 now. Do you have any specific goals left to achieve in ball hockey?

I’d like to keep playing for two more years and aim for the 2026 World Championship in Ostrava. Whether I’ll make the team or be in top form, I don’t know, but that’s my last big goal. After that, I want to focus more on my family—my beautiful daughter and wonderful wife.

It’s emotional, but I know my career is nearing its end. I’m just trying to enjoy every game, appreciating what I’ve accomplished while recognizing there are more important things in life.