Aleš, what convinced you to come over?
I practised with the team for a while, but then I had to leave for two days. I was deciding whether I should play or not. After all, I arrived about twenty minutes before the game. I play inline hockey every year, I like to do so and it´s a part of summer training for me.

How much of a factor was the fact that the event takes place in your hometown of Pardubice?
It was not a factor at all. I just come to play because it´s fun. On the other hand, it´s not an easy sport as you have to skate a lot and it´s warm inside.

Do you remember the previous Pardubice tournament that took place three years ago?
Unfortunately, I couldn´t play back then as I was recovering from a shoulder surgery. I only came to watch the games. A lot of players from back then are still on the team and they participate every year.

Last time you played for the national inline hockey team was the quarterfinal loss to Germany in Ingolstadt...
Yes, I remember that. I played only in that game and then the Edmonton Oilers told me not to play anymore and go home. We lost in shootout in that game.

It was similar to this game that you just played, wasn´t it?
Unfortunately, we were trailing all the time in the game, but we managed to come back and it was 4-4. Late in the fourth period, we had a powerplay and we should have scored the game-winning goal there, but we didn´t and then they scored with about minute thirty left. It´s a tough loss, but the Americans are a tough team. They are title contenders every year. Those players play inline hockey all year long and it´s tough to match their pace.

Do you think they are the top contenders to win it all here?
I don´t know, every game is different and each game is tough, too. Sweden, Finland and Canada are here as well and I think any team can win.

All four goals were scored by the top line. Isn´t that a problem, wouldn´t you want all lines to provide some scoring?
It doesn´t matter who finds the back of the net, some guys play this all year long unlike me and so I don´t think I´m a key player here. The top line is here to score, while I´m here to play. We´ll see how it goes, but I think this was a tight game and we played well, too bad we lost.

The last preliminary round matchup sees you facing Great Britain, a newcomer to the elite division. The outcome should be different, right?
It´s going to be an important game and we need to win. Just like every year, quarterfinals matter the most.