Women’s Southern Conference quarterfinals start today when we will see Chodov returning to Champions Cup and playing against Kloten-Dietlikon Jets. Bringing experience from a few Champions Cup events before this, the Czech national team goalkeeper (and bronze medalist from WFC 2023 in Singapore), Jana Christianová, is a key player for Chodov as they aim to take home the Champions Cup title.
Chodov had a bittersweet ending to last season in the Czech Extraliga as they lost the Superfinal against 1.SC Tempish Vitkovice 3-5. But what this season brings is a new chance, also in the Champions Cup. Chodov last played in the Women’s Champions Cup in 2015, when they got 4th place. Nine years later, they return to the elite club tournament and there are definitely players in the Chodov squad that you should keep an eye on. Lucie Baldreichová was the third best points scorer of the regular season with 42 points and the top scorer with 29 goals. Kateřina Kovaříková was also one of the top scorers of the league with 23 goals. And then they have one of the best goalkeepers in the world – Jana Christianová.
Christianová played in the net when Czechia won bronze and their first WFC medal since 2011 in World Floorball Championships in Singapore last December. She played in her first Women’s WFC in 2009 and has only missed one WFC until this day – the one in 2015. Before joining the Women’s team Christianová was part of the U19 squad in 2006 and 2008 WFC. Christianová joined Chodov during season 2018/2019 and has represented the club ever since. She has also played in Champions Cup before but not with Chodov. Let’s hear more about it from her!
Chodov are returning to Champions Cup after last participating in 2015. What are your expectations for the event?
— We are very much looking forward to the Champions Cup. Getting to this tournament was one of our goals last season. Now that we have the opportunity to play here, our goal is to beat every opponent that comes our way. We are also looking forward to seeing a lot of our fans come to the game.
You have played in many Champions Cups before – 2017 and 2015 with Tigers Jizni Mesto and 2011 with Red Ants Rychenberg. What kind of memories you have from those events?
— This is my fourth time in Champions Cup, first time with Chodov and first time in this format of the tournament. With the Red Ants team we won the bronze medal and it is one of the great moments of my career. Interesting fact is that my coach back then was Rolf Kern, who will be standing on the other side today and I respect him very much.
You’ll meet the Swiss team Kloten-Dietlikon Jets in the quarter-finals. How would you describe your opponent? Any specific players to look out for?
— Personally, I am very happy to meet this team. I watched last year’s final where they beat Zug with many Czechs in the team. Kloten has an interestingly mixed team of young players together with experienced players and floorball legends from Finland and Sweden. It is a very tough opponent, but we are looking forward to the game and we are ready to show the best we have.
Which player(s) will make a difference in the quarter-finals and help you reach the semi-finals?
— I think we have a lot of very young players in the team, but they are very skilled. Some of them have experience from superfinals and national teams, they are leaders and they know how to decide an important game.
Chodov in the Champions Cup quarter-finals
Friday 20th September at 18:30 Chodov v Kloten-Dietlikon Jets in Sportovni Hala Jizni Mesto
Friday 27th September at 19:30 Kloten-Dietlikon Jets v Chodov in Sporthalle Stighag
All matches live on the IFF App!
