Czech Republic win IHF President's Cup 2015 - Jicha: Proud on my teammates | Handball Planet
Index category

Czech Republic win IHF President’s Cup 2015 – Jicha: Proud on my teammates

Czech Republic won the IHF President’s Cup at the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship in Qatar. Czech team captain Filip Jicha lifted the trophy from the hands of the president of International Handball Federation, Hassan Moustafa, after great battle and thrilling penalty shoot-out against Belarus 32:31 in Duhail for the 17th place at Qatar 2015. This was the best possible way that handball nation, who had a lot of success under the name of Czechoslovakia (World Champions in 1967), celebrate their come-back on the big international stage after the eight years absence from the World Championships.

The generation of Jicha, Stochl, Sobol, Horak and some younger guys joined Algeria (2011), Slovakia (2011), Spain (2009) and Norway (2007), the previous winners of the IHF President’s Cup, established since World Championship 2007 in Germany.

„We finished this World Championship in a great shape. I am very happy because of the trophy and my younger teammates who fought hard to get this award. They showed character against the strong opponents like Russia or Belarus. I am so proud. We enjoying this moment“, said the IHF World Player of the Year 2010, Filip Jicha.

Despite they lost chances to compete in the eighth-final after flash finish in group C, where they beat Iceland and Algeria convincingly, the team led by coaching duo Daniel Kubes and Jan Filip, didn’t give up in consolation competition.

„No, we didn’t, even we were sad.  We managed to keep focus until the end of the tournament. We showed team-spirit and fight until the end. This is the reason why trophy is an amazing achievement for us“, added the left back of THW Kiel.

All the fans wondering how far Czech Republic could go with 100% ready Filip Jicha, who missed two opening matches due illness.

„Ah, who knows what could happened? I can’t change that. I was six days in a bed. This trophy is even more important for me“.

This was the sixth appearance of Czech handball at World Championships since 1995. Moreover the result, which was better in 2005 (10th place) and 2007 (12th place), it is important that Jicha and his teammates managed to get back on big stage. The main question is how to mantain continuity of playing on the major events.

„It is really hard to say more in this moment. I have strong will to play more for the national team as my friends here. As a team, we showed that we can stay close to any rival. That makes me positive before the upcoming events“, concluded Jicha.

France 2017 is waiting for the IHF President’s Cup title holders.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

To Top