ARTICLE

Czechia Beats Slovakia to Finish Fifth

Aug 15, 2025 | Adam Chawner, photo: Denisa Huťková

Czechia started the fifth-place game at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup strongly, building up a 2:0 in the first period. Slovakia responded early in the second, but the Czechs regained a two-goal lead in the 33rd minute. Slovakia missed key chances – especially during a five-minute power play – while Czechia capitalised on their own opportunities, pulling ahead 5:1 in the third. Slovakia added a late goal, but the Czechs held on for a 5:2 win to secure fifth place, with Slovakia finishing sixth.

Game #5  •  Fr 15.8.2025  •  15:30
Czech Republic
5:2
( 2:0, 1:1, 2:1)
Slovakia
Czech Republic: Sklenička (Poletín) – Kachlíř, Ruml (C), Kamas, Vaněček, Reisnecker, Byrtus, Kůrka – Řípa, Tomek (A), Trefný – Novák, Huk (A), Hartl – Švancar, Maxa, Tománek – Hanyš, Holejšovský, Sekanina.
Slovakia: Čelko (Hrenák) – Goljer (C), Maršálek, Floriš, Baran, Stančík, Dedík, Černák – Tariška, Hybský (A), Ozogány – Bernát, Lukáčik, Rausa – Matta, Kubat, Zvolenský – Rezničák, Obušek, Plančár (A) – Ďurčo.
Goals and assists: 2. Švancar (Tománek, Byrtus), 19. Kamas (Holejšovský), 33. Tomek (Novák, Sklenička), 49. Maxa (Vaněček, Ruml), 53. Kamas (Kachlíř, Novák) – 26. Ozogány (Bernát, Goljer), 55. Lukáčik (Rausa, Bernát).
Shots: 42:28 (15:6, 7:17, 20:5).
Penalties: 6:7, plus Řípa (CZE) 5 + OK. PP goals: 3:1. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Gebauer, Mejzlík – Augusta, Bezděk. Attendance: 1126.

Report

Czechia opened the scoring in the 2nd minute when Vojtěch Švancara converted a pass from Matěj Tománek with a clever move and a shot to the far post. Late in the period, Jiří Kamas beat Slovak goalie Denis Čelko at the near post to make it 2:0.

Slovakia got one back early in the second period when Oliver Ozogány scored from the right circle on a powerplay. The Slovaks gained momentum but couldn’t find the equaliser. Instead, the Czechs struck again – Petr Tomek scored on a powerplay, firing into the top corner. A major penalty by Dominik Řípa gave Slovakia a five-minute advantage, but they failed to convert.

They carried that powerplay into the third period and earned another soon after, but couldn’t break through Czech goalie Sklenička. In contrast, Czechia made their powerplay count – Jiří Maxa scored just five seconds into their advantage with a rebound. Jiří Kamas found the back of the net in the 53rd minute after a setup from Lukáš Kachlíř, extending the lead to 5:1.

Slovakia responded shortly after through Matúš Lukáčik, but the Czechs calmly saw out the game to win 5:2 and end the tournament with a win in front of their faithful home fans.

In brief

The playoffs begin

15.8. - The playoffs and battles for placement in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup begin today. Who will make it to the finals? Read the preview here.

End of groups

14.8. - The group stage is over. Who made it to the semifinals? Read here.

Second day

13.8. - The teams have completed their second day of play, which saw the groups become more dramatic. Read more here.
History of the hockey legend

Information about Ivan Hlinka

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