Czechia (CZE)

The Czech Republic head into their 11th appearance at the EHF EURO - but with a new coach compared to previous events. After the team was ruled out from the IHF Men’s World Championship 2021 in Egypt due to several Covid-19 cases, the federation split from Daniel Kubes and Jan Filip.

Their successor is well-known. Rastislav Trtik coached the Czechs already at EHF EURO 2004 and the World Championship 2005. In the crucial qualification matches for EHF EURO 2022, the Czechs beat Ukraine twice and finished their group second below Russia.

After their sensational sixth position at EHF EURO 2018, when Ondrej Zdrahala (now president of the Czech federation) became top scorer, the Czechs struggled in 2020. After losing all main round matches, they finished 12th. Since then, not only has Zdrahala quit playing for the national team, but also Martin Galia, who is now the new goalkeeper coach in Trtik’s staff.

After some years with few rising stars, the Czechs might have found their “new Filip Jicha” in left back Matej Klima, who shone in the November test matches against Austria. Right back Stanislav Kasparek plays a dominant role in his new club Meshkov Brest, while the new number 1 in the goal, Tomas Mrkva, has impressed enough at German club Bergischer HC that he will transfer to THW Kiel after this season.

But despite the expected huge support from the stands in their neighbouring country Slovakia, the hurdles seem quite high already in the preliminary round. The Czechs will face defending champions Spain; world silver medallists Sweden; and Bosnia Herzegovina.