Kari Jalonen took over the Czech national hockey team in March. He restored the successful puck team to the World Cup medal standings after a ten-year hiatus.
Henri Pitkänen,
Anu Karttunen
29.5. 19:48 • Updated May 29th. 20:07
Kari Jalonen was a celebrated hero when the Czech Republic returned as a World Cup medalist after a ten-year hiatus. The Finnish audience gave Jalon a big applause and “Kojo” fully enjoyed the situation.
The Czech Republic defeated the United States in a bronze match on July 8–4 in Tampere.
After arriving at the interview location, Jalonen was still confused and happy. He had been baptized from the players in “Czech style” and joy had erupted from both the team and the coaching and maintenance team.
– Phew. Could you say that the greatest time of your hockey career, Jalonen stated and searched for words for a moment.
Although the audience’s warming warmed up, Jalonen said he also wanted to see a bigger picture in the situation.
– The Czech Republic has been waiting for a medal for ten years. Work has been done there, but to no avail. I hope this success and these of our players and big idols would help young children and enthusiasts get something good out of it for the junior side.
According to Jalonen, the biggest stars of the team like David Krejci, Roman Cervenka and Tomas Hertl have told him that the World Cup medal is a big deal for both the team and the country as a whole. Especially when the team’s trip to these World Cups didn’t go exactly as planned. The team lost in the first round to Sweden and, surprisingly, Austria. Even in the bronze match, it was in a two-goal loss after the first set.
– This has been a bounce this trip. Yes, in that first installment, we made three really big mistakes that they (the Americans) would punish, Jalonen said.
According to Jalonen, the Czech Republic did not play badly, but in important games, the losing position is easily plastered and faith is being tested. Luckily for the Czech Republic, there were solvers in the team and, as Jalonen himself put it, the team was already sniffing the goal before the final round.
– It was the key to being able to hit in the end. No one can say where it came from, Jalonen said as he repeated what caused the Czech miracle to rise in the final installment.
The coaching team made only one change to the lineup after the number one field David Pastrnak and the second field Matej Blumel changed places.
– Was that it? I can’t say that. But then the goal began to come, second, third, fourth… After that, there was only one team on the ice. These are such things in the spirit world that I don’t know either, Jalonen stated and waved his hand.
Jalonen served as the head coach of the Finnish national team for two seasons in the 2014–2016 seasons before moving to Switzerland and as the head coach of SC Bern. He was fired for this task in January 2020. In March, Jalonen was recruited as head coach of the Czech national team.
Jalonen said that he has not longed for the applause of the audience and the euphoria brought about by victory, but above all by everyday work. That’s what he’s been doing for the last nine weeks.
– And I can say that 24/7. That’s what I’ve been longing for. But of course this is pretty special that we celebrate there and dance there in the booth. You don’t get that kind of feeling every day.
On Monday, the Czech national team will fly on a charter flight to Prague, where the team and its head coach will certainly be welcomed with joy.
– I don’t know what’s waiting there. But yes, I guess a few beers will be taken today, Jalonen said with a wide smile.