One moment, Lukas Hornicek was a rising star for Sp. Braga, defending his club’s colors. The next, a sudden call changed his immediate plans. The young goalkeeper got the unexpected news: he was heading to join the Czech Republic national team. It’s his first time ever stepping into the senior squad.
This call came out of the blue, but for a good reason. Two other goalies, Jindrich Stanek and Vítezslav Jaros, fell ill. This opened a spot, and the Czech Football Federation quickly named Hornicek and Martin Jedlicka as replacements. Hornicek didn’t waste any time. He finished his Sunday match against Sporting, flew straight from Lisbon, and joined his new national teammates on Monday.
Now, everyone waits to see what comes next. The Czech Republic has two important matches ahead. They face Croatia on October 9, then the Faroe Islands on October 12. Whether Hornicek sees any playtime in these games is still up in the air.
Even if he doesn’t get onto the field, this experience is a huge milestone for him. It’s a chance to train with the best players his country has. This national team call-up truly highlights his excellent form. It recognizes the great strides he’s made since becoming the main man between the posts for Sp. Braga.