BRATISLAVA (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – Slovak Republic have made a coaching change just seven weeks before the start of FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 after handing the reins to Marian Svoboda.

The new play-caller will have his hands full if he wants to make any kind of impression at the tournament in June. Not only will he have limited time to prepare and familiarize himself with his players, but Slovak Republic look likely to be hit by a lengthy list of injuries, retirements and other withdrawals.

He takes over from the successful Maros Kovacik, who unexpectedly guided the team to the brink of the Quarter-Finals at EuroBasket Women 2015 in Hungary and Romania and then followed it up by navigating the Qualifiers for this year’s edition.

It will be an unexpected opportunity for Svoboda to coach at a major international tournament in his home country of Czech Republic, where he has been operating at club level in the ZBL with Valosun KP Brno. 

He carried Valosun KP Brno to the Central European Women’s League (CEWL) title recently – ironically beating a Slovak Republic side in Piestanske Cajky during the Finals.

Svoboda also has some international experience after working with the Czech Republic youth teams earlier in his career.

Slovak Republic will play in Group B against Belarus, Italy and Turkey.

FIBA