CZE - Czech women dominate Karlovy Vary tournament

KARLOVY VARY (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - The Czech Republic women’s team brought the first phase of its preparations for the 2010 FIBA World Championship to a triumphant close by dominating the international tournament held in Karlovy Vary.

The team coached by Lubor Blažek is winning game after game as it readies itself for the biggest international women’s basketballe vent which it will host from 23rd September until 3rd October.

After two impressive wins over China – who finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics two years ago – the Czechs dominated the international tournament which also featured Romania and Tunisia’s national teams as well as the home team of Lokomotiva Karlovy Vary.

The tournament served as a final test for KV Arena, the venue that will host the final part of the world championship.
 
The Czechs beat Karlovy Vary 87-49, Romania 117-44 and Tunisia 115-37 respectively and raised the champions’ trophy.

“Even though it could seem that the opponents did not test our game too much, we are very satisfied with this tournament, as we were able to test different game plans and give enough playing time to every member of the team,” said Blažek.

The Czech national team will now have a much-deserved break until 19th July at which stage they will embark on a three-day camp in Nymburk, east of Prague. This will be followed by individual training and the second phase of preparations due to being in early August with a training camp in Štrbské pleso.

“The girls deserve the vacation. They have had really demanding weeks and for us as coaches it’s nice to see that they are all giving more than one hundred percent,” said assistant coach Martin Petrovický.

“Perhaps they’re putting us into a bit of tough spot, as to who we will cut from the team in the end, but on the other hand, these are quite nice problems to have.”

LOC