DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The senior team for BK Opava played their second season in the Basketball Champions League this season. They are the current Czech National Basketball League champions and have five titles and six Czech Cups to their name.

The BK Opava Academy are playing in the Youth BCL for the first time this year and for head coach David Zach, the competition enables his team to learn more about themselves.

"It's a great opportunity to receive feedback about the level we are by competing against the best in Europe," he said.

Zach believes his team are here to be more than spectators and has strong expectations.

"We expect our players to show their individual and team talent to a high level," he stated.

"We want to play aggressive defense and an uptempo game. These are the things we need for the next step up into top-level senior basketball." 

In terms of outcome, however, Opava have set performance and a positive representation as their main goals in Debrecen. 

"First of all, we want to be proud of the performance. If we win something, that's great but it's most important that we show our best for our club and our country," Zach explained.

Youth BCL Players to Watch

David Motycka | Date of Birth: June 1,  2006 | F

Czech national team forward David Motycka is the leader of the team and brings the versatility to stretch the floor as a shooter but is also the team's most skilled finisher in the paint. 

2006-born point guard Pavel Czudek is the son of club legend and senior team head coach, Petr Czudek, and will also be one to watch. He is a high IQ player who can pass the ball and create advantages with his drive and kick game. 

Program Alumni

Petr Czudek, an Opava product as a player, is now the senior team's head coach

David Klapatek | Petr Czudek | Miroslav Kvapil

Petr Czudek is an Opava legend after winning the Czech National League eight times and representing Czechia as a player. He is now the head coach of the senior club as well as an assistant coach for the men's national team.