PRAGUE (AP) — Veteran coach Miroslav Koubek is taking over the Czech national team for the final stage of World Cup qualifying, the country's soccer association said Friday.
The 74-year-old Koubek replaces Ivan Hašek, who was fired in October after a humiliating 2-1 loss to Faeroe Islands in World Cup qualifying.
Hašek’s assistant Jaroslav Köstl had served as interim coach in a 1-0 win over San Marino in a friendly and a 6-0 victory against Gibraltar in their final World Cup qualifier.
Czech Football Association President David Trunda said Koubek was given a contract for two and a half years.
His immediate and tricky task will be the European qualifying playoffs in March.
Koubek called his appointment a “huge honor” and the biggest challenge of his career.
“Me, and I am sure also the players, will do everything to be at the World Cup,” he said.
The Czechs qualified for the playoffs after finishing runner-up in their qualifying group behind Croatia.
They first meet Ireland, which booked a playoff spot with a last-gasp win over Hungary, in a single elimination game on March 26 at home. The winner then will host Denmark or North Macedonia for a spot at the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The team that makes the tournament will join Group A together with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
Koubek, a former goalkeeper, has coached mostly Czech clubs during his career. Between 2016-18, he served as an assistant to national team coach Karel Jarolím.
In his last job, he was in charge of Viktoria Plzeň from 2023 until he was fired this September, and reached the quarterfinals of the Conference League and the round of 16 in the Europa League.
The Czechs last qualified for the World Cup in 2006.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Plzen's head coach Miroslav Koubek gestures during a Europa League playoff first leg soccer match between Ferencvaros and Viktoria Plzen at the Groupama Arena stadium, in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first NBA Finals win, carrying the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-111 victory on Monday night that cut the New York Knicks’ lead to 2-1.
The Spurs handed the Knicks their first loss in 46 days and potentially salvaged their season in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd that included President Donald Trump.
The Knicks had their 13-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA postseason history, snapped and missed a chance to move to the brink of their first championship since 1973.
Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox hit big shots late as the Spurs avoided falling into a 3-0 hole, which no NBA team has escaped. Now they can tie the series Wednesday night and are guaranteed another game at home, with Game 5 scheduled for Saturday.
Castle finished with 23 points as the Spurs got started in their quest to become the first team to win the NBA Finals after losing the first two at home.
Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and OG Anunoby had 28 for the Knicks, who lost for the first time since April 23 in Game 3 of their first-round series against Atlanta.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
President Donald Trump watches Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, June 8, 2026, with Knicks owner James Dolan and Kai Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks on during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York. (Geoff Burke/Pool Photo via AP)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past San Antonio Spurs defenders during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defend during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama shoots during practice prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the New York Knicks, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns runs drills prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama laughs during practice prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the New York Knicks, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson runs drills prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
