Interview with Lukas Rezanina

Lukas, was it a big thing in Slovakia, when it was clear that you would be the first one to play in Sweden?
LR: Well, there was an article (smiles). And many people in Slovakia keep their fingers crossed for me! There are of course also those, who say, that I am not going to make it. But that’s just a motivation for me. I believe to be in the roster by the end of this year. That may sound quite self confident…

On the other hand, to play in Sweden is not for not self confident players. But what if it wont go your way?
I don’t know…

You´re excluding such thoughts?
Yes! Honestly said, I was not thinking about that until now as you asked. I might start with it now (smiles). Of course, there is always a possibility of an injury for example. But if I am going to think about that, it will just happen.

You have been twice in Linköping to get tested. You really had to earn their interest and fight hard for it.
Yes, that’s right. I had to work for it. Maybe, if I were a different type of a player – like a shooter, that collects many points in one season in the Czech league (such as eg. Tom Ondrusek, who is now in Warberg), it would have been different. But I am not such a kind of a player.

So what kind of a player are you?
I think I have a quite well developed understanding of the game. And I have the winner mentality. I really like winning. I like ball possession and ball control. I don’t want to give it to the opponent, at any cost.

Was it in any way decisive, that there are some Czech players in Linköping, in the meaning that they are open for foreign players?
Yes, I would say so. Linköping had a great experience with Matej Jendrisak and with Milan Tomasik as well. So they were ready to give me a chance. But there were other aspects as well: I didn’t have any contract, I am well mannered and well educated. Just a very normal guy, who won’t cause any trouble and will get along with whomever in the team. And actually, my skills played some role as well (smiles).

So it was a good match with the club?
Yes. And I cant really foresee what could go wrong. It’s a charming place, not that much travelling, there are about 1000 people at every home game. Right now the club is trying to find a job for me within my education…

And that is?
I study IT. I still have a couple of exams to finish and a master thesis, but all this I can do while being in Sweden. The big advantage of IT is that it’s universal and can be done literally from wherever. So I can even continue with my already started business in the Czech Republic.

Tell us more...
Together with three other friends, we have created an application called Tomorrow Magic. It is an algorythm, that is helping people to find a vacation trip, according to the given criteria. I´ve experienced that when people travel, they often have to solve some troubles and I believe that our app can make their lives easier.

Are you an active user of this app yourself?
I am rather trying to make it even better. So I collect inspiration and inputs during my trips. To travel is my hobby nr. 1. After each season, I take all the money I have and invest it into some fun trip. I am in this business because I am really enjoying myself on the road.

What will be your main focus in Linköping? Business or floorball?
Well, floorball, for sure! That’s why I am going there. I don’t need to earn a lot of money and secure my future by buying a house. I am single and who knows, where I am going to end up one day.. But I have to learn Swedish, so I hope to find a girlfriend who would help me with that (smiles).

Is the club forcing you to learn the language?
No, but I feel that they would appreciate it.

Well, that might be quite a challenge with such a Czech-Slovak party in the team with Jendrisak, Tomasik and goalkeeper Jan Binder.
I already told the guys that now we are still together and that we should do something about that. And not only because of the language. But also because I would like to get to know other guys in the team. I am sure this will be easy. Actually, I already have some experience with playing in a new team abroad. Even if that time, it was “just” the Czech Republic.