Czech Republic: Still a European powerhouse

Is it possible that the young and promising generation that has brought so much to Czech Republic basketball will miss the 2008 Olympic Games? The last two summers, the team has disappointed but after a great EuroLeague Women season for the country's main players and coach with Brno, 2008 could be a very good year for the National Team.

There is a great confidence and serenity around the Czech National Team, even though the last two results - seventh at the FIBA World Championship in Brazil and fifth at the 2007 EuroBasket Women in Italy - were not that impressive. The feel-good factor exists for different reasons. First of all, the selection can count on an extraordinary group of young ladies, known in the country as the "golden generation". Built around players born in 1982 and 1983 that had great success in young international competition (U19 world champions in 2001 and U20 European champions in 2002), the National Team of this little country has shined in Europe since. In 2003, the Czechs claimed the silver medal after a last-minute 59-56 defeat to Russia. The game itself was magnificent and its end cruel for the Czechs. Two years later, in Ankara, Turkey, the Czech Republic got revenge in a 72-70 gold-medal game triumph over the Russians. Those were the best results in senior basketball in the history of the country. The gold was a wonderful exit for Eva Nemcova. The veteran forward was not even expected to play in Turkey because of Achilles and knee injuries, but she made the team and helped her younger teammates with a title-clinching three-pointer from the corner - the last three-ball of her career - with only eight seconds remaining in the final. The Czech Republic had ascended to the top of Europe.

A few months later the Czech dominance was reconfirmed when many of the same players won the 2006 EuroLeague Women Final Four when Gambrinus Brno beat CSKA Volgaburmash. And that is another big reason why there is so much confidence heading into this summer. The starting five (Hana Machová, Jana Veselá, Eva Vítecková, Ivana Vecerová and Petra Kulichová) all play together under their National Team coach Jan Bobrovský at Gambrinus Brno, winning national trophies every year and competing in the EuroLeague. After a dip in results, the Czechs could be back to their best. Brno only lost in the final of the EuroLeague at home against Spartak Moscow, which is composed of the very best players in the world like Lauren Jackson, Tina Thompson, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. Make no mistake - those Czech girls can definitely play with the very best.

The Czech Republic has a very tall team. In the starting five, only Machová (1.82 m) is smaller than 1.90 m. This obvious height advantage usually allows the team to dominate the boards, especially on offence where athletic forwards like Veselá and Vítecková can contribute. On defence, this team is difficult to attack because of its size and versatility at every position. In Europe, only Russia can look the Czechs in the eyes.

Individually, Vítecková is one of the most efficient scorers in Europe. She has size, a three-point shot and the post-up game to score against anybody. At the last EuroBasket, the team was really hurt by Hana Machová's poor performance, especially on offence, but then again she was so banged up with injuries that she played on guts and determination. If the Czech Republic wants to have a great summer in 2008, she must play well. If she does, this team can compete with anybody. A weakness in this selection is the fact that after the starting five, no players of international class have emerged of late. On the bench, Uhrová, Hartigová and Mokroová do have talent but not enough to suggest they can take over games. Katerina Elhotova, 18, is a promising guard but will need more seasoning before she is ready to make a significant impact.

How did they qualify?

EuroBasket 2007
5th (6 W - 3 L)

Results

1st Round
Sept-24th 2007    Czech Republic b. Israel    75-73
Sept 25th 2007    Czech Republic b. Turkey    86-62
Sept 26th 2007    Czech Republic b. Latvia    70-44

2nd Round
Sept 28th 2007    Germany b. Czech Republic    54-47
Sept 30th 2007    Czech Republic b. Lithuania    75-67
Oct 2nd 2007    Belgium b. Czech Republic    72-70

Quarter-finals
Oct 4th 2007    Belarus b. Czech Republic    52-46

Semi-finals (5th to 8th place)
Oct 6th 2007    Czech Republic b. Belgium    75-50

5th place final
Oct 7th 2007    Czech Republic b. Lithuania    93-54