What does it mean for your players to go to Toronto Canada for the WC?
It means a lot to participate in a WC, for every athlete, as well for our ball hockey players. Between the 2 world championships, men and women, the players are preparing, training, struggling in the league to show the coaches that they deserve to have a place on the national team.

What training are you making with your players to be prepared for the challenge?
Most of the players are part of other sports like field hockey, floorball, ice hockey, which gives them the right condition; they can join the preparation at a later stage. Fortunately there are already some players with ball hockey as their major sport; they prepare the whole year. The national team will regularly meet from the middle of March on a weekly basis to prepare for Toronto. We are planning to organize friendly matches with Slovakian teams and we would like to invite the Slovakian team to Szekesfehervar which would be not only good for preparation but this would also to promote the sport.

How many players will you bring for the men and for the women's teams?
The high costs have unfortunately a big impact on our possibilities. We are planning to have 18-22 players per team at both, the Men's and the Women's WC. At the Women's WC we would like to surprise everyone, which would mean even the possibility to win a medal. We would like to bring a much stronger men's team than we did in Bratislava in 2011.

Do you hope for some local fan support of Hungarians in Canada?
A lot of Hungarians live in Canada, mostly in Toronto. We will definitely look for the Hungarian community there, to gain their support for the WC.

Is the sport growing in Hungary?
Ball hockey started in 2011 in Hungary. At that time 6 male and 3 female teams participated in the Hungarian Cup. In 2012 we had already 9 men and 4 women teams and the number of players increased as well. We organized the national league from May till September. In the national league we had more than 200 players this year.

What are the goals for Hungary for the next five years? Maybe hosting a WBHF event in future?
Our main goal is to promote ball hockey in Hungary. To be able to become an official sport association, we need 3 finished national leagues, at least 10 official clubs and 150 registered players, according to the Hungarian law. The third national league will be finished in 2013. Not all of the clubs are officially registered yet, they have to correct this, but we have enough players.

From 2013 we will start the "little ball hockey" (4v4). We expect from this, that the ball hockey would be played all year long and smaller teams could join the system.

We are planning to organize the first junior national league in 2013 (U18 and U14).

We would like to expand the season, from the current 4 months to 7-8 months.

We are interested in connecting with the neighboring countries, with Serbia, Austria and we would like to expand our good relationship with Slovakia.

We are hoping that in 2015 we can have 2 leagues for the men and we also hope that the women league will be stronger with more teams, and also that we can regularly organize the junior league.

Our national team will participate in all WBHF events! Our aim is to get the chance to organize a WBHF event. The European Championships, which was promised to us in 2003 by ISBHF, but was cancelled during the congress in February - a big disappointment for us. We lost some supporters, but we would like to prove to the international ball hockey society that we can organize a WBHF event. It would be a great chance to promote ball hockey in Hungary.

The beautiful historic venue of Mojmirovce castle in Nitra (www.kastielmojmirovce.sk) will be home to the players nominated to attend camp, which will be held from 1.18-1.20 2013. The three day event will feature intense training and in class strategizing, followed daily by leisure time in the pool and sauna.

The invited players include the top stars in Slovakia including:

Marek Kanich, Vladimír Kalis, Marián Mikulčík, Jozef Minárik, Branislav Thron, Róbert Kašša, Milan Ladiver /ospravedlnil sa z dôvodu pracovnej vyťaženosti/, Milan Beniač, Lukáš Lajčiak, Dušan Danko, Ján Rímsky, Michal Hrivnák, Libor Teplický, Martin Haring, Filip Titka, Ivan Káčer, Marían Kučerka, Michal Ecker, Erik Lvomský, Matúš Lipták, Michal Ľupták, Ondrej Hraško, Filip Cajchan

The impressive group looks to return the World Championship title to Slovakia by competing in the WBHF Men’s World Championship in Toronto, Canada, June 2013. Included in this collection of national all-stars is Branilsav (Riko) Thron, recently named the #1 player in Slovakia.

Fresh off his victory in the poll, we bring you an abridged version of this interview.
What was the deciding factor for your lead in the poll? "I do not have any information on how the vote actually took place. Certainly me, however the overall victory, I believe it was because the successful past season with the LG, where I became a champion of Slovakia and European Cup runner-up clubs, and some good results in Nitre. '

If you had a vote, who would you choose and why? "Slovakia has a lot of great players and it might be difficult to choose between them, but if I have to choose one, it would have been Jožko Minárik from LG TPS BA. I think this is probably the best defender in Slovakia and not only for sports but also character traits, but as I mentioned, we have a lot of good players. "
For many years you were an icon at Doprastav Bratislava. Before the season, you transferred to the rookie club of Nitra, which was for many a big shock. Why this change? "Yes, those years spent in Doprastav I will never forget, but sometimes life has change, and I got a good offer from Nitra. I decided to accept it and now I do not regret it at all because they are a good team and I met a number of great players and not only the most experienced, but also those who I have not seen play before. "
Finally, something of privacy, what is the difference between Branislav Thron ten years ago and today? "First of all, I have about ten years more (smile). Sure I am not so volatile and turbulent as it once before, but it's really about age. Especially since I now need more time for recovery, but I am still basically the same. There is also my taste for the sport and to win, and probably the most essential difference from ten years ago is that I no longer use hair gel (smile). "
Your jersey has always been adorned with number 18. What does this number mean to you? "It is true that I am eighteen basically from scratch. Yet when we played as juniors in L. Guerera league, I wore 21, when we changed the" old "jerseys I inherited number 18 when Vlad Franta went to seniors. When I then went to the seniors, it was free. Henceforth I wear it now and I quite like it. "
Recently, the family has been enriched by one member, daughter Tami. No plans in the near future for her to be a successor Hokejbalový Thronovcov clan? "Truly, the time is running fast and Taminka is already three years. I'm happy here. It seems she has a really decent stick technique already. Currently there is no plan for her to follow, but we'll see. Time will tell.“

What do you think will be the level of WC in Toronto, in the cradle of world hockey?
“I think in Toronto WC I will be very well occupied, in addition to the traditional top teams: Canada, Slovakia, and Portugal, I look forward to playing India in the hopes of facing the Kaila brothers, who are always among the best at WC. We also should not forget the other countries especially the U.S. which in recent years has made progress in Ball Hockey. I think a lot of players for Toronto will be at the top of their career, not to mention a huge motivation to play the World Cup in the cradle of this sport.”

What experiences do you have in WC?
“I played in three World Championships. Once as a junior where we won at home the title of world champions, and senior twice in the Czech Republic and Bratislava, in both cases we have won bronze medals.”

What are your greatest achievements at club level?
“As to the club levels there are four Slovak Championships, twice in U20 where I represented Bratislava and two senior with Rbk Ruzinov and LG Bratislava.”

Who will win the World Championship?
“I hate guessing. Of course, I believe us, but Canada is very strong, and too the Czech Republic so it will definitely be somebody from this powerful trio.

Have you ever played in Canada?
“No, not in Canada, I've never played. I am very much looking forward to it.”

In recent days, came an awareness of the activity of a newly created World Ball Hockey Federation. A lot of questions hang in the air and that is why we contacted one of its founders.

The name Jaroslav Melíšek again swirls in the surface waters of the ball hockey. Former President of the Slovak Union Street & Ball Hockey not too happy with his office, resigned this post. After a few weeks, his name is heard everywhere again. He was in fact ending his time with the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation similarly as was its long-time president Domenico Di Gironimo, which later brought the birth of the new. This of course caused great resentment among ISBHF. However, we particularly interested in answers to questions about the organization of the World Cup in Toronto and Bratislava.

Recently causing a stir was the development of another World Federation, the WBHF. Why was it created?
"Turmoil? I think that only exists in the ISBHF, it really doesn't impact current ball hockey players. Quite the contrary, there will be more opportunities for competition at an international level. WBHF formed in the summer at Niagara Falls, Canada. It was a consequence of the USA not being satisfied with the ISBHF and its recent work, especially at the World Junior Championship, while in Canada there was a separation of the Ontario Ball Hockey Association, the strongest organization in the world, away from the Canadian Association, and my general dissatisfaction with the pace of development of the sport."

What is your response to the emergence of the ISBHF prohibition?
"It doesn’t matter that they have marked us as persona non grata and banned us go to ISBHF ball hockey events. I don’t think this is even worth commenting on. For me this announcement just provoked me to be even more active and do everything possible for the WBHF to become the world leader in the sport within three years. "

What is your relationship now with the Slovak Union hockey ball?
"Excellent (smile)!. SHbÚ body limits Slovak hockey and always will."

How do you feel about ISBHF banned you to participate in any events organized ISBHF?
"It's an honor. This step shows that we are winning the battle. Positive I see it. From Martin, Zilina Nitra, I have already been called (smile), and they share a curiosity of the ISBHF. I think ISBHF lost face and cast itself now as an unreliable and of little integrity on the world stage."

Are you not afraid that a similar step will be taken by the SHBÚ? Your "activity" in WBHF probably does not thrill them.
"No, I do not care. If it did, it would embarrass them even more than they already are. Conversations I have many friends from hockey ball, most members condemn their actions and find the ISBHF laughable. They cannot ban anyone from anything because they do not give anything to anyone. "

WBHF organizes World Ball Hockey in Toronto at the same time as ISBHF in St. Johns. It was the intention?
"No, it is the traditional time, and of no concern to us. For me, the ISBHF organization is dead. We'll go our own way and do not need someone to confront. We have a vision and goals and we focus on managing them. We are introducing a new World Championship for 3 +1 and change some of the rules, which are very necessary. We have also cancelled all annual fees for the National Federations because there is only a tremendous waste of money in the other organization, which we intend to avoid. "

Website WBHF states that the World Cup will participate with many countries, even India and Italy who were missing at the World Championships in Bratislava. Is it really true?
"I can confirm that the two countries are strong and will be in Toronto. In addition we expect new countries: Croatia, China, Korea, Japan and Serbia."

Many people have been asking about what choices as if they are not all just sort of B-choices?
"It's not. The very best will be in Toronto. Slovakia will be in Toronto also with a very strong team."

How then will work on the above-mentioned selection for Team Slovakia After all, it must still require some resources, focus, coach ... And it does not finance itself.
"Everything is prepared for the 30-member Slovak choice. Organizer also caters to us in terms of accommodation. Givova company even provides for all selections jerseys free. But there's more."

Who actually chooses Team Slovakia "an umbrella"? The Union will still have their choice in the St. John's.
"This is a moment in the solutions we are discussing. This question will therefore answer later."

Do you already have an idea of who will represent Slovakia in Toronto?
"He'll lead a professional coach and they will be choosing a very strong team."

WBHF also organizes the World Cup in a "small" Ball Hockey, ie 3 +1 system. Where was this idea born?
"Street Hockey 3 +1 has a great tradition in many countries, both played. Therefore also the way you say" small "deserves its hockey world championship. ISBHF this system has so far refused, we therefore decided to organize a World Cup debut in Bratislava with a tournament of 16 teams will participate in the senior category and 8 in the Masters category. Teams will come from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, China, Japan, Sweden, Finland, Canada, United States, India, Pakistan, Portugal and others, even Mexico. "

Is there so much interest in this type of WC?
"Of course, the cost will be reduced compared to conventional WC by about 70percent. Indeed, the tournament will be just nine or ten players per team, which are the three cars for travel, for European countries."

After quitting as the president SHBÚ have declared that you have quit Ball Hockey, what convinced you to return?
"I convinced Domenic DiGironimo and Chris Housser that Street & Ball Hockey needs guarantee of quality work. Adding Dampy Brar from India inspired me. The WBHF had recent success introducing the teaching of ball hockey at high schools in the Chinese city of Tianjin that has 15 million people. This is our first such success. I trust that others will come.