Slovak Basketball Coach Natalia Hejkova Ends Career with Championship Win
Natalia Hejkova, a 70-year-old Slovak basketball coach, has ended her remarkable coaching career with a championship win as her team USK Prague defeated Zabiny Brno 83-52 in the Czech women's league final series. This victory marked the 15th consecutive league championship for USK Prague, with Hejkova at the helm for the last 13 seasons. Throughout her career, she has achieved numerous accolades, including a record-breaking 301 consecutive victorious games in the Czech league and two EuroLeague Women titles with USK Prague.
Key Takeaways:
- Natalia Hejkova ended her coaching career with USK Prague's 15th consecutive league championship win, defeating Zabiny Brno 83-52 in the final series.
- Hejkova was the main coach of USK Prague for 13 seasons, helping the team achieve a record of 301 consecutive victorious games in the Czech league.
- She won the EuroLeague Women twice with USK Prague, in 2015 and this season, and has six overall titles as a coach, including two with Slovak Ruzomberok and twice with Spartak Moscow.
- Hejkova will continue her work with USK Prague as a mentor, moving away from her demanding coaching schedule.
- Her approach to coaching emphasized creating a well-functioning team with a positive atmosphere, built on trust and mutual understanding among players.
- She has coached numerous teams, including USK Prague, Slovak Ruzomberok, Spartak Moscow, Sopron, dynamo Moscow, and Valencia, spanning nearly 40 years of coaching experience.
Statistics:
- USK Prague won 83-52 against Zabiny Brno in the final series.
- Hejkova achieved 301 consecutive victorious games in the Czech league.
- She has six EuroLeague Women title wins, including two with USK Prague.
- Hejkova started her coaching career in 2012 with USK Prague.
- She coached for nearly 40 years, with her last game as coach on April 26.
Sources:
- CTK (Central News Agency)
- USK Prague basketball club