Slovak Coach Found Many Positives in His Players During Preparations

The first two camps were single-day sessions held back in 2024. The main goal of the first camp was for the coaching staff to get to know the players, especially those new to this age category. The program included two training sessions focused on basic drills, technical skills, and player abilities.

The camps also provided insights into the players’ physical fitness and tactical maturity. Team chemistry is crucial in any national team, so the camps also served as a good test of overall team cohesion. Special training sessions were also held for the goalkeepers.

Following the camps, coach Michal Salajka praised the quality and commitment of the players, which confirmed their strong level of preparation. The demands on the players will gradually increase, which should help the coaching staff determine who meets the standards of quality and intensity.

From the first two one-day camps, the staff selected a group of thirty players. From this group, the final roster will be chosen based on which game system best suits the Slovak team and how they plan to play at the championship.

At the February camp—held in Poprad, the championship venue—24 players and 4 goalkeepers gathered. The first fitness test revealed differing levels of readiness among the players. Some passed the physical tests with flying colors, while others had certain shortcomings.

Coach Salajka told hokejbal.sk:
"From a tactical perspective, we began implementing the elements we want in our game. We’re teaching the players to behave and make decisions the way we envision. We practiced breakout plays, cooperation in pairs and trios, transitions through the neutral zone, finishing plays through teamwork and also individual actions."

His final statement after the camp was encouraging:
"I was very satisfied. The game against the Poprad Pirates, a local top-league team, showed me a lot of positives. Some players pleasantly surprised me. They have their habits, but they listen to what I ask of them. Their quality is high, which I like. Training sessions are helping get them to the level needed for the World Championship. They must give 100% from the start—not only after I raise my voice. I want them to stay fully focused every minute and work hard non-stop. Of course, there were also some negatives—some players are not in good shape—but they have strong mental and technical abilities. These are first- and second-line caliber players. They have two months to work on it. The fitness coach will send them individual plans, and then we’ll retest them to see if they’ve made progress. If not, we’ll say goodbye. If yes, I’ll be glad."

Finally, coach Salajka commented again on the friendly match:
"Thank you to Poprad for the excellent conditions and to the Pirates for agreeing to play the match. It was a high-quality confrontation. We actually won the game, and the boys executed exactly what I asked of them. The goals we conceded came from lapses in concentration, but those are fixable—just minor issues. Otherwise, I’m very satisfied. We know what we need to work on and where our strengths lie. I hope this continues. I already have some names in mind for the championship roster—but also some I’ll have to part with, because their level is no longer high enough."

Photo (hokejbal.sk): Slovak coach Michal Salajka