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Tuesday August 17th , 2010 WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT! Time after our big rivalry road win in Prievidza Slovakia moved quickly. On a rainy Sunday morning our team bus was running in front of the Preuge Hotel as sleepy players and staff loaded travel bags. Unlike the vibrant trip down from Decin, our return trip was peaceful and quiet. Gray clouds and rain covered the beautiful Slovakian countryside as we made our way back toward the border. Leaving Prievidza, we all enjoyed the moment and celebrated the big win in Slovakia, but it would be a quick turnaround to our next game. While we were beating Slovakia 65-60 Saturday night, down in Cyprus, Switzerland was earning a 70-67 road win. Our Group play was in full effect.
Arriving back in Decin in record time, we had an extra hour before lunch because our bus driver pushed the pace. We all needed the rest. Later, we met for a light regeneration run in the mountains. It was nice in the woods and the quiet nature seemed to put distance between our long bus trip and the intensity of Saturday nights game. Our team easily fit back into the routine which had been engrained. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Vyprez restaurant. It was beginning to feel like home. Monday, was two practices and video session like before. The team worked hard on halfcourt execution and defensive details in the morning before studying a video session by Honza in the afternoon. In the evening, Pavel organized a crisp skill workout for the team preparing the players for Tuesday nights game.
click here for photos from Czech Republic vs Cyprus! click here for video from Czech Republic vs Cyprus 8-14-10 We had seen Cyprus before. A few weeks earlier, at the tournament in Sofia Bulgaria, Cyprus participated too. While we beat Austria and Bulgaria to win the tournament, Cyprus lost to Bulgaria before bouncing back to beat Austria in the consolation game. We watched video from the tournament to help us prepare. Whatever the Cyprus team had done to get ready, their home loss to Switzerland had taken alot out of them. While we were riding the wave of momentum from beating a rival on the road into our only official home game of the summer, Cyprus was on the road after a tough opening loss. Two teams moving in opposite directions were on course for a Tuesday night tip in Decin.
Former Chemnitz 99er Soren Schacht making a guest appearance in downtown Decin! Throughout preparation, Pavel focused the team on our own performance. Providing a few key coaching points, he wanted to capitalize on our positive energy from the victory in Prievidza while making sure we would be at our best for our home game. To make sure the team was not resting on laurals from the big opening win, he created some pressure on the players to keep them from becoming too satisfied. There was some Monday afternoon drama in Czech camp. The plan worked perfectly.
National Anthems for Czech Republic and Cyprus pregame. With one home game this summer, one chance to play in front of proud Czech Republic basketball fans, the team was focused and ready. Packing Decin's gym with a sellout crowd, the organization created a fund-raiser to help families struggling to wade through problems caused by the recent flooding. Important members of the Czech Basketball Federation were in attendance as well. President Milos Prazak and Manager Georg Zidek were a presence before and during the game. The home game against Cyprus was an important night for the town of Decin and a big night for basketball in the Czech Republic.
Pavel Pumprla at the foul line in the first half of Czech Republic's win over Cyprus. Immediately into action, the energy level from Czech players was impressive. Michal Carnecky's late shot clock three got the hosts on the scoreboard and started things moving in the right direction. Building an 8-2 lead, aggressive play from the Czechs had the Cyprus team on their heals. Fighting back to 12-8, Cyprus established the inside with three strong plays from forward Panagiotis Trisokkas but the Czech defensive pressure created offense from defense to trigger a late first quarter run. A balanced team attack led the Czech Republic to a 23-12 lead after the first quarter.
Pavel Houska contests a Cyprus shot in the second half of Czech Republic's 93-50 home win. Opening the second quarter with an 11-5 burst, the Czech team doubled Cyprus 34-17 by the mid-way point of the 2nd. A Petr Benda bucket, a second Carnecky three and two Lubos Barton free throws preceeded three consecutive Pavel Pumprla baskets for the Czech Republic in the run. Playing with confidence, the hosts took control. By the half, the margin was 19, 43-24.
Czech Republic team captain Petr Benda hedges hard on a ballscreen against Cyprus! In the halftime lockerroom, the team was positive. The balanced attack was led by Pavel Pumprla's 9 points, but once again the depth and team defense presented themselves as strengths. The team had shot 48% from the floor made 3 of 10 threes and 8 of 10 free throws while outrebounding Cyprus 19-11 and forcing 14 turnovers. Pavel kept it positive but reminded the team about playing on a consistent high level for the full forty minutes. Looking around the room, into the players eyes, I saw energy and hunger. The team was focused to make the most of their one home game this summer.
Czech Republic point guard Michal 'Chardo' Carnecky Behind continued strong play and a complete team effort, the Czech team added to the lead. A three point play and a three pointer from Pavel Houska got the hosts rolling. Over the first five minutes of the third quarter, a 13-5 Czech run broke the game open. Leading 56-29, Czech players found a terrific rhythm and played very well as a team. Pavel Slezak energized the home crowd hitting back to back threes late in the third before Lubos Barton capped the quarter with a triple. By the end of the third, the scoreboard display read 72-36.
Pavel Slezak pressures Cyprus point guard Aristides Koronides In the quarter-break huddle, Pavel reminded the players of our experience against Estonia where the team played very well for thirty minutes only to stagger through the final ten. This game would be different. Despite a mini-run from Cyprus to open the fourth, the Czech team went on a 27-6 run turning the game into a blowout. Lubos Barton buried another three, Big Z sank a three from the right wing and Pavel Slezak put the finishing touches on the 93-50 victory with his fourth and final three of the evening. The supportive Czech fans cheered with enthusiasm for their teams strong performance.
Lubos Barton at post game interviews following the Cyprus win! In the team win, the Czech squad shot 58% from the floor making 11 of 20 threes (55%) and 16 of 20 free throws (80%) while outrebounding Cyprus 37-21. Pavel Slezak led the way with 17 points on four of six from downtown while Pavel Pumprla and Lubos Barton tallied 13 points apiece. Panagiotis Trisokkas paced Cyprus with 13 points 7 rebounds as they shot 42% from the field, hit 2 of 7 threes and converted 8 of 17 free throws.
Czech Republic National team salutes fans in Decin after the win over Cyprus! The 93-50 home win pushed the Czech Republic to 2-0. Cyprus fell to 0-2. Meanwhile, in Fribourg Switerland, the Slovakian National team had bounced back for a big 62-50 road win over the Swiss. Slovakia and Switzerland both evened at 1-1. With one game day remaining in Group play this summer, all sight were already set on Saturday August 21st.
Head coach Pavel Budinsky and future point guard Pavlick! Time was moving quickly. With two wins under our belt, it was time to focus on our final challenge of the summer in Switzerland. But not before enjoying this one night in Decin. Fans of all ages filled the floor as the players stretched along the baseline. Everyone was so happy. Especially the Czech children. It was fantastic to see the kids running around and having fun. I thought back to all the times my brother and I were at my Dad's games. Pavel's family was there. It was great to celebrate this win. Hugging his wife Eve and playing with Babu and Pavlick, I was happy to help my friend. That is what it's all about. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm and international baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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