Czech Republic head coach Luboš Bartoň has made changes to the lineup following their defeat in Koper, most notably adding Tomáš Satoranský, who is expected to bring both playmaking ability and composure to the team.
“I don’t think there’s a forty-point difference between us and Slovenia,” Barcelona guard Satoranský said after Saturday’s practice.
| Czech Team Roster for the Match in Jihlava: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards: Tomáš SATORANSKÝ, Vojtěch SÝKORA, Richard BÁLINT | |||
| Forwards: Vojtěch HRUBAN, Tomáš KYZLINK, Patrick SAMOURA, Kevin TÝML | |||
| Centers: Jan ZÍDEK, Martin PETERKA, Martin KŘÍŽ, David BÖHM, Luboš KOVÁŘ |
The Czechs suffered a 40-point loss on Slovenian soil in their first qualifying game, a result largely decided by a dominant second half from the hosts, who connected on a barrage of three-pointers.
Looking to rebound, the Czech national team will rely on home-court advantage and the energy of their fans in the newly-opened Horácká Arena in Jihlava. The arena hosted its first basketball game on Saturday, with a women’s league matchup between Brno Žabiny and USK Praha drawing a record crowd of 3,852 spectators. An even larger turnout is anticipated for the upcoming national team contest.
JIHLAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC – The Czech Republic national basketball team is looking for a response after a tough road loss, announcing roster adjustments ahead of their match against Slovenia on March 1, 2026. Head coach Luboš Bartoň has bolstered the lineup with the addition of Barcelona’s Tomáš Satoranský, hoping his experience and playmaking will provide a spark.
“I don’t think there’s a forty-point difference between us and Slovenia,” Satoranský stated following Saturday’s practice, signaling the team’s belief they can compete with their opponents.
Beyond Satoranský’s inclusion, the Czechs will also notice Kevin Týml make his national team debut, taking the place of František Rylich and Ondřej Hanzlík in the forward rotation. A late injury to Martin Svoboda, who suffered an ankle injury in Koper, means Martin Kříž will step into the center position.
The Czech Republic will aim to turn the tables on Slovenia after falling 40 points short in their first qualifying contest. A slow start and a dominant shooting performance from Slovenia proved too much to overcome.
The team will play in front of a home crowd at the newly-opened Horácká Arena in Jihlava, which saw a record 3,852 fans attend a women’s league game over the weekend. A larger crowd is expected for the national team’s crucial matchup.
Here is the full roster for the Czech team:
| Czech Team Roster for the Match in Jihlava: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards: Tomáš SATORANSKÝ, Vojtěch SÝKORA, Richard BÁLINT | |||
| Forwards: Vojtěch HRUBAN, Tomáš KYZLINK, Patrick SAMOURA, Kevin TÝML | |||
| Centers: Jan ZÍDEK, Martin PETERKA, Martin KŘÍŽ, David BÖHM, Luboš KOVÁŘ |
