times of malta 30-08-2006 article

Ex-Czech Republic coach Stitz takes charge of Maltese team

Czech coach Michael Stitz will lead a Maltese Futsal team in the 2007 European Championships starting with next January's mini-tournament which involves four other national teams besides Malta.

Stitz, 44, has loads of experience in international Futsal competitions. He was appointed to coach the Maltese team earlier this month after the Malta FA analysed a list of possible candidates to take the job.

In 1994, Stitz, a former Czech national team player in five-a-side football, was voted as his country's best Futsal player. He coached the Czech Republic Futsal team and led the side to a third place at the European Championships of 2001 and 2003. Under Stitz's charge, the Czechs also finished fourth in the World Championship of 2004.

Malta's opponents in the qualifying round will be known in next month's draw at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon.

Stitz still has to name his squad but has already prepared a programme of training which includes three sessions per week at the Hibs Sports Complex and De La Salle, Cottonera.

The Malta FA yesterday said that the qualifying mini-tournament could be staged at the Hibs Sports Complex next year. The facilities are up to standard but no decision will be taken until the draws will be made.

In Malta, Stitz will also assist Maltese Futsal coaches to upgrade the local game.

"Hibs will be taking part in the Champions League next season," he said. "They've already started preparations and I'm looking to assist as much as possible their coaching staff.

"I will also seek to help other coaches along the season. We intend to hold special courses in Futsal coaching.

"The five-a-side game here is still in its infancy but we can improve the standard significantly if we have more qualified coaches to lead the teams in the national league."

Date of Birth: 14/11/1962
Place of Birth: Brno (Czech Republic)
Citizenship: Czech Republic
Height (cm): 185
Weight: 81 kg

Career as a Futsal player:
1977 – 1989 Saturn Brno
1989 – 1993 Plumbum Hradec Kralove
1993 – 1994 Eta Hlinsko
1994 – 1996 Plumbum Hradec Kralove

Career as a Coach:
1992 – 1996 Plumbum Hradec Kralove
1998 – 1999 Viktoria Zizkov
2002 Nejzbach Vysoke Myto
2004 Doukas Athene (Greece)
1996 – 1997 Assistant of Czech National Team
1998 – 2005 Head Coach Czech National Team

Titles as a player:
1994 - Best Player of Czech Republic
Winner Czech Futsal Championship 1988 with Saturn Brno
National Team : 26 matches - 16 goals (1990 – 1995)

Titles as a coach:
1998 – Best Coach of Czech Republic
1999 – Best Coach of Czech Republic
2000 – Best Coach of Czech Republic
2001 – Best Coach of Czech Republic
2002 – Best Coach of Czech Republic
2003 – Best Coach of Czech Republic
2004 – Best Coach of Czech Republic

Winner Czech Futsal Championship 1999 with Viktoria Zizkov
Caserta 2003 - 3rd UEFA European Futsal Championship - 3nd Place
Taiwan '04 - 5rd FIFA World Futsal Championship – 1/8 Final