Personal and individual interests must go aside. It’s about the team, that’s the only way to victory – CT sport – Czech Television

The national team did not have a good general run last week when they lost all three matches at the Czech Games in Brno, but according to Hašek, this does not mean anything. He compared the situation to 1985, when he was part of the squad until the end of the training, which subsequently won a gold medal in Prague.

“We didn’t succeed in the general games there either. I remember that we lost against the Swedes, even a friendly with Pardubice two days before the start of the World Cup. And the matches in the group weren’t the best either. But the team got together and when it came to everything, they managed find a way to win,” said Hašek, who ultimately did not make it into the nomination and was kicked out of the team the day before the start of the tournament.

The fifty-nine-year-old goalkeeper believes that coach Radim Rulík has chosen a good team. “Now all individual things have to go aside. The team will either win as a team, or it won’t,” Hašek pointed out. He is very well aware that the national team will be under a lot of pressure. “How to deal with him? Every advice is precious here. It is necessary for everyone to do everything for success. And if someone is not doing well for a moment, to put it behind them. Personal and individual interests must be put aside. It is about the team. That is the only way to victory,” Hašek said.

One of the most unsuccessful goalkeepers in Czech history won a lot of trophies, won the Olympics, won the Stanley Cup or the domestic title. The gold medal from the world championship is missing from his collection, but he takes it in stride. “I have some medals from the World Championships. In 1985, I missed the nomination on the last day, but that’s how life goes. I don’t regret anything. We are great friends with the guys who won then,” said Hašek, who won bronze three times at the World Championships.

Hašek is looking forward to the championship, which starts on Friday. He will watch a number of matches personally in the Prague arena. “I want to watch a lot of matches. Of course, I will see some on TV. I am personally going to the match against Norway on Saturday,” Hašek said. “Of course, one wants to see our team win. We play at home, everyone believes, everyone has high expectations. It’s not easy for the boys, but that’s just the way it is. We are a hockey nation and the fans have the highest expectations,” he added.