For the second time in a row, the Czech female soccer players are very close to their premier participation in the European Championship. In 2021, they only lost the playoff with Switzerland in a penalty shootout, now they face another favorite – the Portuguese. How has the view of women’s football changed in the Czech Republic and how do our players stand in the European competition? We are also talking about this today in the Livesport Daily podcast with the former representative and now for many years the head coach of the Czech women’s football team Karl Rada (53).
The vice-champion of Europe from 1996 has been coaching the women’s team since 2017 and, according to him, the view of women’s football has changed during that time. “It’s definitely developing, it’s much more accepted by society, which I’m very happy about. We’re appearing more in the media, that’s also important, we have great responses after every broadcast on TV. And the atmosphere in the stadiums is also changing for the women’s national team, the last the match had a really good atmosphere. Of course, where we were competing against the best teams in Europe, the level of everything around us is even higher, and I’m very happy about it.” the Council notes with satisfaction.
Rada has already experienced one draw with the national team, just like this year against the Portuguese women, and in 2021 against the Swiss women, our players were outsiders. That time, however, they were able to take the double match to a penalty shootout, where they eventually fell. “We also thought at the time that it was one of the most difficult possible opponents, but in the end the girls confirmed in those matches that they can find a way to handle it. The progress was close then, unfortunately some moments cost us a better result.” is a convinced national team coach.
And how does he look at the criticism of women’s football, which is often connected, for example, with clips of funny moments from women’s matches? “For me, what applies is what a person has done and whom he has helped, what he has proven in life and what he stands for. People who mock women’s football, edit out some unsuccessful moments, these are those who are not in control of their own lives and will never they can’t do what many female footballers do. To choose and share only what someone didn’t succeed in, in my opinion, is such a little pity and it’s not fair.” Karel Rada, the national team coach, was excited.
In Monday’s episode of Livesport Daily we also covered:
What kind of reputation do Czech female soccer players have abroad?
How much does weak competition in the domestic league harm the national team?
How is Rada different from when he played football himself?
You can also find all episodes of Livesport Daily on popular podcast platforms – Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
