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PLI 2025, ČQ MD 2025

The combination of two interesting competitions in one block, which can be played during one weekend, proved to be right. A dozen women's teams played the third edition of the WCT international tournament, plus two Czech pairs measured their strength in the competition for the national jerseys for the Olympic qualification. And there was plenty to watch.

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Prague Ladies International 2025 started on Friday and the tournament schedule prepared for the teams the burden of playing five matches in two days. Five Czech teams, plus seven from various European countries, represented a diverse range of participants. Two groups and a one-on-one system within a group represented a decent workload that only the best could handle. A trio of Czech teams made it through to the super-stage and were joined by the Germans, Turks and Swiss. The finals were dominated by the foreign teams, with Yildiz (Turkey) in first place, Schwaller (Switzerland) in second and Messenzehl (Germany) in third. The best of the Czech women were the junior girls (Farkova). Although none of the top European teams participated in the tournament, the Czech women, even the national teams, were not able to reach the imaginary podium. With the 2025/2026 season peaks looming in the coming months, this is a bit of a head scratcher and food for thought for the implementation teams and especially the coaches.

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The Czech Olympic qualification in the mixed doubles category was completed by the pairs Zelingrova/Chabičovský and Paulová/Paul. Youth, enthusiasm, but also good results and successes from the last years spoke for the first tandem. For the second pair, years of experience, tenacity and relatively stable performance. In the end, only four matches were enough in the best-of-five system. The last one needed an extra end and when Zelingrová and Chabičovský won it was decided. The younger ones will go to the international qualification (Kelowna, Canada, December 2025) for the last two places and will fight for the right to represent the Czech Republic in February in Italy with a number of other quality pairs.

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The whole weekend was accompanied by good ice conditions, a functioning organization under the baton of Lenka Hronova and the introduction of a new rule regarding communication between teams and coaches directly at the ice, even with the unexpected personal presence of the national coach. The only thing missing is the precise measurement of attempts overlapping the centre of the goal circles during the Last Stone Draw. Hopefully we'll see it again this year.