Over 150 teams from 15 countries. Prague is the capital of floorball until Sunday
“We are happy that after the hiatus caused by covid, some of the world’s best teams will meet again in Prague and that Czech fans will be able to see quality elite floorball,” says Roman Urbář, director of the marketing department of the Czech Floorball, and reminded that he will start in the elite men’s category trio of Czech clubs, last year’s first place will be defended by Střešovice (in 2020 and 2021, the tournament was held only with the participation of Czechs and Slovaks – note Red.).
The event will last until Sunday, when it will culminate in the final duel of the main men’s competition. It will be played in the UNYP arena, SH Jižní Město and SH Řepy halls in Prague. The winner of the last three years of the IBF European Super League, Falun, and Pixbo Wallenstam, the most successful Czech Open men’s team, will arrive from Sweden. Switzerland sends its runner-up Wiler-Ersigen and semi-finalist Zug United, EräViikingit arrives from Finland.
Among the domestic teams, men and women from Tatran Střešovice, domestic league winners from Vítkovice and floorball players from Ostrava and Bohemians from Prague will compete against the world elite. “Video will be available for all men’s elite matches, as well as in the finals of all categories,” urged Urbář, adding that referees and coaches will be able to use the video system in reserved cases.
The number of players is increasing
According to the president of Czech floorball, Daniel Novák, the interest in this collective sport in Prague and the whole country is still growing. “Our base did not drop after covid, on the contrary, clubs are reporting interest in recruitment. We expect it to gradually increase and we will see great potential among women,” says Novák.
According to him, floorball adapted to the new environment and began to develop, for example, by playing on outdoor surfaces. “The proof is, for example, the great interest in the Street Floball League exhibition summer series, which always visits six Czech cities during the summer and which is fully booked,” says Novák.
The organizers of the Prague tournament also confirm that floorball is on the rise in the metropolis even after the covid pandemic. “The Prague and nationwide base is currently one of the largest among sports. With more than 76,000 members, we are among the most played sports, it is even the second most popular sport among children after football,” says Kristýna Matoušová, production and press spokesperson for the tournament.
The balls go back into circulation
This year’s Czech Open also participates in the floorball association’s pilot project. As part of sustainability and the circular economy, the organizers will collect retired pieces of equipment after the players.
“In addition to not using plastic dishes and similar things, we are joining the Czech floorball project and will be collecting cracked balls and hockey stick blades into the so-called rekos. This material should then return to floorball circulation in the form of medals,” Matoušová adds.
The factsThe 30th year of the Czech Open Floorball Czech Open 2022 is produced in various halls throughout Prague. It will be played from August 11 to 14, and 155 teams from 15 different countries, including Iceland, Hungary and Denmark, will step up on the board across categories. On Saturday, there will be a social evening at the Lávka club, when the organizers will induct new members into the hall of fame and a documentary film about the tournament will be shown for the first time. Matches played in the UNYP Aréna, SH Řepy and SH Jižní Město halls will be able to be watched using paid streams. Participants can look forward to traditional activities as part of the accompanying program, such as free entry to the swimming pool and discounts at partners – bowling, laser games or selected museums. |