Czech Hockey chooses new Scania bus for team transport

The last time a Scania bus provided the team transport, in 2005, the Czechs became world champions, so they are hoping that a renewal of their association with Scania is a good omen. It could be: the Czech side is currently ranked sixth in the IIHF world rankings, but goes into the world championships in good form, having recently won friendlies against Austria, Germany and Slovakia.

Just before those matches took place, Scania handed over the keys to the new bus at the team’s training centre in Prague. There, the bus was ceremonially baptised with the participation of the players, head coach of the national team Miloš Říha and James Armstrong, managing director of Scania Central European Region (CER).

“We have been looking for a new national team carrier since the end of last season,” explains Jana Obermajerová, Director of BPA sport marketing a.s., which holds the Czech national team’s marketing and broadcasting rights.

“We warmly welcome our partnership with such a stable and successful company as Scania, which, like our country’s Škoda Auto, belongs to the Volkswagen Group.”

And the Scania bus will not just be proudly sporting the Czech national team’s logo and colours for the IIHF matches. Scania and Czech Hockey have agreed on a long-term cooperation.

“We are proud that Czech ice-hockey team has chosen Scania, which is known for its reliability and durability. These are exactly the qualities of an ideal team-mate, so we believe that we will contribute not only to good performance on the ice but also to a good atmosphere outside the arenas,” says Lukáš Martinů, Scania CER Bus Sales Manager.

And Scania CER Sales Director Marián Černoch adds: “As a Swedish brand, we are very close to ice hockey. I am convinced that we will support Czech hockey players on their way to victory!”

Specification of Scania Interlink HD Bus

• 14,2 metres long
• 59 comfortable seats
• 19-inch Bosch screens
• Powerful engine, providing 450 hp