Subject: [U21] ostulc

Dear friends,

After some hesitation I've decided to run for the job of your national coach. This season (in which I was a coach of Cyprus) served me a lot. Being a coach of a so-called small country is always a good opportunity to try out something new without too much of a risk. After the match engine was changed I had huge problems to adapt - however I think that I am back now :)

Let me introduce myself. I am 22 years old student of computer science (which is also one of my hobbies). I can speak Czech (quite well :P), English and French. Unfortunately I can't speak Finnish (I know just a few words you would rather keep hidden ;)) My Sokker career was started more than 5 years ago when I started to build my team. I was a deadly weak trader (which I am still after all ;)) and I had to rely just on my tactical preparation and long term training. I've quickly find myself to enjoy making new tactics (which I think is the greatest thing in this game by far).

My team has taken part in all league levels in Czech Republic - currently I am playing probably the strongest league in Czech Republic (however it seems to get changed in this season).

I am not a newbie on the international scene. My international career has started in Cyprus. I liked the job there - friendly guys over there, great fun and great challenge after all. However after my return from the national team of Czech Republic, I've seen a lot has changed there - people got inactive and I've got a feeling that the national team is just my business. That is clearly not why I want to be a coach :)

I had a dream for this season: to get Cyprus in the World Cup Finals. This dream could have almost come true if our strikers weren't that weak. But still I've reached the 3rd place while defeating Slovakia and Peru - which is still the best result of Cyprus by far.

- 3 seasons as Cypriot NT coach
- 3 seasons as Cypriot U21 coach
- 2 seasons as Czech NT coach
- assistant coach of various national teams (eg. South African U21, Australian NT or Finnish U21 squad)

- Gold and silver from the Czech Cup
- 3rd round of Champions Cup (pff, being knocked out by westbrom :P)
- Season in Czech first division
- Worked out software for keeping track of players in national teams. (however its update is needed desperately ;))

However you might ask why I have chosen Finland. Primarily, Finnish U21 team is not that unknown for me. You know my way has been crossed with the one of Mysi as we both led Cypriot teams and we have become friends. After he left to win the silver medal for your team we were still in touch and I've got some idea (quite thorough after all ;)) about your team. Moreover I know Mysi is here and I hope he would take part in my team in case I get elected - which would definitely make my life simpler. Furthermore I know your community is quite friendly and active (which is exactly what I am looking for)

I don't want to get myself involved in the talk about my goals as it can easily get quite boring. I think that it's enough to say that I would do my best for your team :)

Thank you for reading (or perhaps rather skimming) up to here. I would be glad to answer any of your questions, so come on :)

Thank you for your questions, support and votes :)

Yours
ostulc

3rd round of Champions Cup (pff, being knocked out by westbrom :P)

Don't forget to mention the result, Vozickari Vysehrad - Armoton Kanuuna 0-10 :D

Have you discussed with Mysi about the Finnish U19-U21 players?
Do you know have we good players in those age groups?
Do we have a chance to win a medal again?
Would you be active in the forums?

Well, yes... You totally ripped me. It was more like an exhibition of your players :)

Have you discussed with Mysi about the Finnish U19-U21 players?

I know these generations just roughly. I have been discussing your squad with Mysi mostly in the time of your World Cup success (as I was helping Mysi with the choice of players) - unfortunately these star players are already gone.
I have seen some players from current U19-U20 - however it is not enough to make assumptions about overall level of your team. (moreover I wasn't that much in touch with Mysi in this season as I was before so my knowledge is about to be quite outdated)

Do you know have we good players in those age groups?

Well, if I have to compare your current squad with the one, I was used to, I must say that it is way weaker. However it does not mean that the players are bad - rather that there will definitely be national teams with way better players.

Do we have a chance to win a medal again?

International scene is getting more and more level. There is definitely chance to win a medal again - but especially in the knock-out stages you need some luck to get through so I can't definitely guarantee that (and it would be quite ridiculous after all when looking at such teams as Italy). However we needn't also be scared to play with them :)

Would you be active in the forums?

I will be active in the forums as far as I will understand :) I am looking for a job that won't be just about preparing the matches. :)

Anyway, New Year is getting quite close here but you are even closer. So Hyvää vuotta! (or maybe rather Happy New Year) All the best to you both in Sokker and especially in your real lives!

Aren't there any questions you want to ask me? I would expect you to be a little bit suspicious to a foreign manager, so come on and do not hesitate to ask me :)

Qualification groups has been formed today. Finnish team takes part in a group which will be somewhat difficult to win however it should be no problem to get through to the finals. Let's look at our opponents:

Belgium (18th place)

It might be quite surprising that Belgium is in the second pot. I've been following Belgian national team a bit in the last season and I was quite disappointed with its results. However they have great players so they will definitely want to take the first place. Though they won't have it easy - thanks to Finland :)

Azerbaijan (39th place)

Current generation of Azerbaijan is rather strong, but I don't think they are strong enough to be able to mix with the first two places. But it's a team that can't be underestimated.

Guatemala (62nd place)

There is not many clues how to judge their strength - their NTDB is rather out of date, they don't have many players in their team. But I doubt there will be anything scary.

Thailand (73rd place)

We are getting to the countries that are no counterpart. However we have to mention that Thailand is a country which is ranked quite high (considering that their national team doesn't have a long history)

Saudi Arabia (87th place)

A national team that is constantly being at the last places of the U21 NTs ranking. I think that there isn't much to be said ;)

Dear friends,

I have finally decided to resign on my candidacy. I have stated in my election speech that the communication with the community is one of my main goals - and as I got almost no feedback so far, I guess it would be hardly possible to reach it.

That doesn't mean that I don't want to help you - In case that I will have some tools, ideas etc that might be helpful to you as well to your national team, I will share them with you of course :-) And of course if you want to talk with me, I am still here for you :-)

Thank you for your votes! There were quite many of them and I really appreciate your support. I am sorry to quit, however I hope that you understand why I did so. For me national teams are for the both for the community and for great matches and when I lack one side of it, it is just half of a joy.

Once again thank you!

Yours
ostulc

We are Finns so we don't talk much with foreigners :)

It is really a shame you quit but I do understand your decision.

Thanks for your effort! We mainly discuss about our NTs on the association forum which you would've noted if you had gotten elected. I think the main problem was that we now have a great Finnish candidate as well and it's been quite a tradition that we go with domestic coaches.

Also at least I've been quite busy lately and have had no time to comment on stuff here, especially when you've written such long messages.. ;) No, it's good to have enthusiasm and I believe you would've done great with our youngsters. And we would have also had some nice conversations for sure. You are welcome to apply some other time if you feel so, I promise to ask you some difficult questions then! ;)

I know, westbrom will definitely do a lot of good for you team :) I hope you will do well on the World Cup :)

Thank you! However if you have some questions, you may ask me even now... :)