Handl: I have dreamt about this since I was a child
Last year in Karlstad, the IIHF Inline Hockey World Championship was a close affair, too. However, the winner was different. In 2011, it is the Czech Republic taking the honours, with their key player, Roman Handl, chosen as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
The Czechs had a slim lead for a majority of Saturday´s final, yet Handl´s mind was clear. “We had the game in our hands. I was not really afraid of the US tying the score.” Dangerous situations in front of his goal stemmed from US power-plays. These brought both American goals. “Penalty killing was the most difficult thing,” Handl said. “That could have been the crucial moment, as we survived three near the end.”
There was just one US goal-scorer in the final game. Itan Chavira, Handl´s teammate in the Spanish league. “I am not sure yet how much this is going to cost him,” laughs Handl. “I know Itan, yet he did beat me twice. He is a great player.”
In the last minute, six thousand fans inside CEZ ARENA stood on their feet. Couple of minutes later, they were all listening to the Czech national anthem. “It is a fantastic feeling. I have dreamt about this medal since I was a child. Also, we were on a home soil. I think we played some great hockey,” said the 28-year old.
This is the first-ever gold medal for the Czech Republic at the IIHF Inline Hockey championship. “Of course we are going to celebrate this success. Then I would like to rest for a while, but still keep myself in shape. The FIRS championship is approaching and I was invited there, as well. I will have to prepare myself,” explains Handl. His time for rest is going to be very short, not even one month in the summer. “I will come back from Italy in the second half of July. Training camp in Spain starts on the second week of August.”
With a championship medal on his neck, Handl is now not only a World champion, but also a winner of the Spanish league and European league. Despite this, the Czech goalkeeper is still hungry for further success. “Everybody saw the great atmosphere here. That´s a motivation just by itself. We have won the first gold, why not another five?”
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25/6 | Individual awards
Best players of the tournament selected by the directoriate are Roman Handl (goalkeeper - CZE), Tomas Demel (defenseman - CZE) and Jose Cadiz Jr. (forward - USA).
25/6 | Final game
The final game between Czech Republic and USA will start at 17:55 because of TV broadcasting issue.
25/6 | Division I awards
Best players of Division I announced by the directoriate are goalkeeper James Tanner (GBR), defenseman Youssef Riener (AUT) and forward John Dolan (GBR).
25/6 | Medal games referees
Gold medal game Czech Republic - USA will be officiated by Carl Friday (CAN) and Jukka Virta (FIN). Radim Prchal (CZE) and Crt Kralj (SLO) will take care of the bronze medal game between Canada and Sweden.
24/6 | Final day schedule
The schedule of games for Saturday is available here.
