Being the Captain of the National Team Was an Honor, Remembers Svatopluk Kvaizar

Mladá Boleslav's ball hockey team was one of the dominant forces in the top Czech league at the turn of the new millennium. The club boasts not only several championship titles but also talented players. One of them is Svatopluk Kvaizar.

I Had to Decline the Championship in Pilsen for Personal Reasons

Svatopluk, you won two silver medals with the Czech national team, specifically in 2003 and 2007. How do you recall those moments?

It's been a long time, so to be honest, I really have to concentrate (laughs). The two tournaments were quite different. In Sierre, I was a rookie, just gaining international experience, learning the style and strength of the opponents. By the time we played in Ratingen, I already knew exactly what to expect from each team, and I felt much more prepared.

Unfortunately, we couldn't take that final step to win gold, so every memory has a bittersweet taste. But objectively speaking, Canada played top-class ball hockey at that time. Overall, they were better and deserved to win both finals. They had the edge in speed—both in player movement and in quick, precise passing, finished with hard, accurate shots.

After losing the first final, I approached every subsequent tournament with just one goal: to beat Canada, as they were the biggest obstacle. I never managed to do it. That’s why I have such strong memories of 2009 in Pilsen, where Canada didn’t even make it to the final. But that year, other teams were even stronger.

I also want to take a moment to remember our great coach and wonderful person, Leoš Rak, who kept a spot open for me until the very last moment so I could participate and say farewell at home. However, due to personal reasons, I had to decline.

Let’s go back to the 2005 World Championship in Pittsburgh, USA, where the Czech team finished fifth—one of the worst results in its history. You were the captain of the team at that tournament. Do you remember why the result wasn’t better?

Unfortunately, we lost in the quarterfinals to Portugal, which is the simple answer. That was our only loss of the tournament, but unfortunately, it came in the most crucial game and ended in a penalty shootout. I can't say that we were a worse team than Portugal, but we weren’t significantly better either. It just wasn’t our day.

The more complex answer, as I see it, comes down to the word "experiment." The federation decided to bring in a coach with no ball hockey background, which naturally meant he didn't know the players well and implemented a system of play we weren’t used to. The team was selected based on only a few preparatory camps and friendly matches, most of which were played on large rinks. I also felt that some skilled and experienced players were missing from the final roster.

You also wore the captain’s “C” two years later at the 2007 tournament in Ratingen. What did it mean to you personally to be the captain of the national team?

I didn’t see it as something extraordinarily special, but of course, it was an honor. For Pittsburgh, I was elected captain by the players, while in Ratingen, the coaches appointed me. I was grateful for their trust and for the chance to make up for the disappointment of the previous championship, especially in that leadership role.

You participated in three World Championships in total. What expectations did the national team coaches have for you each time?

I wasn’t the kind of player who scored crucial goals. My role was primarily defensive, so the coaches likely expected me to provide reliable defensive play. By the time I played in Ratingen, it was my third World Championship, so they probably also counted on my experience.

In terms of direct collaboration with the coaches, I wasn’t alone in that. Before games, we would meet as a group (including the assistant coaches), and I have fond memories of those discussions. I don’t recall us ever having major tactical disagreements. On the contrary, there was a good atmosphere and healthy motivation.

How demanding were the final training camps before the actual championships? The tempo must have been intense, and no player could afford to slack off while trying to impress the coaches.

Anyone attending such a selection camp naturally wants to showcase their skills and give their best effort. But ideally, that should be the mindset for every game, not just during camps. The intensity was higher mainly because of the greater concentration of fast and skilled players.

However, there is one memory that still sticks with me—and even now, my legs ache just thinking about it (laughs). The last training camp, on the final day, and during the final practice session before the 2005 World Championship, we had to finish with an extremely exhausting drill. I don’t know its official name, but it was something like an "endless" shuttle run with short intervals. When the final whistle blew, it sounded like a victory anthem to us.

The Current Era in Mladá Boleslav No Longer Favors Ball Hockey Like Before

On the club level, you were mainly associated with Mladá Boleslav, which dominated the Extraliga at the beginning of the new millennium. You were part of the championship-winning team in 2003. What do you think was the team's greatest strength at that time?

I had missed the first three championship-winning seasons in the Extraliga, and when I returned, it was a completely different team—strong, confident, and supported by top players from other clubs. We played fast, aggressive ball hockey and tried to dictate the tempo in every game. And because we had high-quality individual players, we rarely lost. I must also mention that the club’s management took great care of us and expected nothing less than our maximum effort.

After leaving Mladá Boleslav, you transferred to Letohrad, where you played the final years of your Extraliga career. Why did you choose this club? Did you receive offers from other teams as well?

Yes, my transfer to Letohrad marked the end of my Extraliga career. It was my friend and linemate, Pavel Kormunda, who made the decision, and the rest of us from that line followed him. There wasn’t even time to consider other offers. I have to say, he made an excellent choice. We didn’t win a championship, even though we had moments where we thought we could, but I still enjoy returning to Letohrad to see old friends.

The current Mladá Boleslav team is back in the Extraliga after more than a decade and is competing as a league newcomer this season. Do you follow their progress? What do you think of their performances so far?

As newcomers, they’re facing a tough challenge. Even though they have a few experienced players who will surely adapt to the Extraliga level, they lack greater overall team consistency—especially on defense. The current era in our small city is no longer as favorable for ball hockey as it once was. When I started playing, Mladá Boleslav had two Extraliga teams and two full regional leagues, so there was plenty of talent to choose from. Now, the Tigers have to make do with what they have.

Final question: Does Svatopluk Kvaizar still play ball hockey?

Unfortunately, that chapter is closed for good. Time doesn’t stop, and I suppose my years of running on asphalt and concrete have taken their toll.

However, I still stay involved with ball hockey—from the other side, as a spectator. My son, Ondřej, plays in the youth leagues, mainly as a supplementary sport to ice hockey. And, I must say—without being too biased—he’s good at it, enjoys it, and has a great hockey IQ. I even envy him for that because I certainly didn’t have it back in my day (laughs).

National Team Achievements:

• 2× World Championship silver medalist (2003, 2007)

Club Achievements:

• 1× Extraliga Champion (2003, TJ Laureta Auto Mladá Boleslav)

Individual Achievements:

• 2nd place – Ball Hockey Player of the Year (2007)

• Member of the World Championship All-Star Team (2007)