American Football in Czech Republic
The roots of American football in Czech Republic date back to early 90´s when together with political changes boom of "new " sports started. In 1991, exhibition game between two German teams took place in Prague and soon first teams were started. In 1993, four teams - Prague Panthers, Prague Lions, Brno Alligators and Ostrava Cobras formed Czech Association of American Football. The main aim of association was to form a league and to oversee rules and national teams.
Year 1994 then become the inargual year for organized football league.
Czech League of American Football (CLAF) just started its 11th season, CAAF now has 680 players in 10 senior and 6 junior teams. This summer, 5th season of junior league will start and this year we have also started official support of flag football at grammar school level.
First national teams, senior and junior, were formad in 2001. In 2002 our junior national team qualified (after beating Spain and Finland in qualification rounds) for European Junior Championship where they finished on suprising 5th place. Their success continues again this season when after beating Spain in qualification game our juniors qualified for EJC which will be held in Moscow, Russia this July.
Senior national team played its first official game in June 2003 against France. One month later, our national team finished 3rd at European Championship - Group C in Denmark after beating Denmark in bronz medal game. Frederick Armstrong became the first national team head coach and now leads our team to upcoming football season.
Czech National Team Roster for EC 2003
Number Name Position Height Weight Team
75 Franěk, Jiří OL 193 120 Brno Alligators
66 Houka, Josef OL 189 135 Prague Panthers
60 Král, Jan OL 191 125 Prague Lions
73 Králík, Jakub OL 198 122 Prague Panthers
71 Melichar, David OL 198 118 Havířov Devils
68 Skuhra, Frantiek OL 206 160 Prague Panthers
65 Sýkora, Petr OL 181 120 Dobří Bobcats
18 Kosniovský, Alan QB 185 85 Havířov Devils
8 Navrátil, Libor QB 194 100 Prague Lions
16 Bene, Daniel WR 187 85 Prague Panthers
90 Javůrek, Luká WR 182 82 Prague Panthers
85 Skoupý, Luděk WR 182 88 Brno Alligators
80 Vrba, Jan WR 172 80 Prague Panthers
36 Hruzík, Pavel TE 188 112 Prague Panthers
89 Kolek, Jan TE 195 105 Prague Panthers
5 Minář, David TE 191 108 Brno Alligators
44 Krejbich, David RB 186 105 Prague Panthers
26 Mrowiec, Jaroslav RB 185 112 Havířov Devils
1 amula, Robert RB 177 83 Brno Alligators
11 ild, Jindřich RB 178 85 Prague Panthers
29 Víek, Ondřej RB 178 78 Prague Panthers
63 Cvejn, Ondřej DL 190 102 Prague Panthers
99 Dlouhý, Martin DL 188 120 Brno Alligators
77 Hruka, Michal DL 174 110 Prague Panthers
39 Miklovič, Radek DL 185 105 Prague Lions
93 Navrátil, David DL 183 102 Prague Panthers
78 Novák, Tomá DL 178 115 Prague Panthers
69 Poříz, Pavel DL 197 114 Prague Lions
30 Vítek, Petr DL 187 110 Brno Alligators
50 Krejbich, Daniel LB 183 100 Prague Panthers
52 Ospalý, David LB 188 108 Brno Alligators
31 Střeska, Marcel LB 180 95 Prague Panthers
40 ubotník, Jiří LB 183 95 Prague Lions
53 Záveský, Jiří LB 182 100 Prague Panthers
49 Dopita, Miroslav DB 188 90 Prague Panthers
9 Janto, Stanislav DB 169 69 Prague Lions
45 Karas, Michal DB 180 75 Brno Alligators
25 Srp, Michal DB 185 85 Prague Panthers
20 lesinger, Stanislav DB 184 91 Brno Alligators
24 vanda, Petr DB 188 85 Brno Alligators
32 Vondráček, Jaroslav DB 180 82 Prague Panthers
21 Zemánek, Pavel DB 184 78 Dobří Bobcats
Head Coach: Mr. Fred Armstrong
Defensive Coordinator : James McMahon
Offensive Assistant : Gustav Rehbinder
Defensive Assistant: Peter Matlovic