Znojmo writes history by winning Czech U20 title

01 Apr 2011 | Lukáš Peroutka

Orli Znojmo has achieved a remarkable success in Czech top junior competition – NOEN U20 Extraliga. Despite the club’s senior team plays only in 1.liga, its juniors defied the odds, eliminated two finalists from last season and won the title after beating Karlovy Vary in the finals.

After finishing 5th after regular season, Znojmo enjoyed truly dramatic play-offs. With all play-off series played as best-of-three, the future winners found themselves 0-1 down in the quarterfinals against reigning champions from Zlin and squandering a 5-2 lead late in the second game during just 51 seconds, when Petr Holik scored an incredible hat-trick. However, the team went on to win the game 6-5 in overtime and complete the turnaround with a 2-1 decisive victory one day later.

In the semifinals against Slavia Prague, Znojmo once again captured a decisive third game away from home after winning 3-2 and came through to the finals. The final pairing surprised many. Karlovy Vary finished only 7th after regular season, but managed to overcome two top teams – Vitkovice and Sparta Prague – in straight games on their way to the finals.

Vary started the final series brightly and outscored their opponent 7-3 in the first game. However, it turned out to be their last success. Znojmo turned the series on its head for third time in a row and decisively won the second game 8-0, setting up a decisive fight one day later. Free scoring home forwards were too good for the opponent’s defense and after another goal rout Znojmo captured the title with a 7-2 victory.

Eleven members of the winning squad have already earned their spot in Znojmo senior team this season, including this year’s WJC participants Tomas Rachunek and Martin Planek, goalie Ondrej Kacetl and other forwards Richard Jarusek and Tomas Kominek.