“You stand there like a communist!” Hradec goalkeeper coach Horyna recalls surviving Hašek’s test abroad

The stadium was roaring, and hundreds of people had joined the players on the ice to celebrate. For Robert Horyna, that noisy evening in Piešťany became the starting point for a goalkeeper’s arrival who would later become an important figure for the team.

“Home-town Piešťany had won and secured their place in the top league in the relegation playoff,” Horyna recalls. He said he had to rush in and find Patrik Rybár so he could greet him.

Rybár introduced himself, but Horyna managed only a brief promise: “I’ll get in touch.” That meeting eventually led to the goalkeeper joining the team.

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Home-town Piešťany had won and secured their place in the top league in the relegation playoff. And I had to rush in and find Patrik Rybár so I could greet him. He introduced himself, and I only managed to tell him that I would get in touch.