Vladimír Pištělák

* 1940

The Sportsmen

21. 8. 1968 - Invasion of the Warsaw Pact troops, 17. 11. - 29. 12. 1989 - The Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia

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The desire to play and win
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"That's right, the best in that youth - those players - were the ones who had the desire to perform, so to speak. He wanted to play, he wanted to win. They were the best. A lot of them had the talent, but they couldn't follow through. And rather those - when that talent was combined with the desire to play, to win - that he enjoyed it - then they were good players."
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Trainings
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"We trained in the evening, quite late in the evening. I have the impression that we trained from seven to nine or eight to nine-thirty. Because there was no room in that - if I call it the 'old gym' - there was no room. The youngsters trained in the afternoon, we couldn't afford to train from five o'clock. And we were really training three or sometimes four times. And I was training in the morning. Work started at seven, so sometimes I trained shooting in the morning." - "Before work?" - "Before work, early in the morning, the gym was free."
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Sport was in my blood
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"We were just a really sporty family. We had a sandpit in the garden next to the house, with a trapeze structure above it. Also, of course, when we were little, there were swings hanging there. Of course, there were also rings. We used to practice on the trapeze too. After the war, when we were older - even with my brother, who was two years older - we went to Sokol. We did practically all kinds of sports: cycling, swimming, skiing, skating. It was a lot. I think sport was in my family's blood."
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Praha, 15.02.2024
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When one works hard, results will come

Vladimír Pištělák before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Rome, 1960

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Vladimír Pištělák was born on 30 July 1940 in Brno into a sports family. Since childhood he was involved in various sports and at the age of 13 he started playing basketball. At the age of 15 he joined the youth team of Zbrojovka Brno, where he played in the first league from 1958. In the 1960s he won five championship titles with Zbrojovka and twice reached the second place in the European Champions Cup. He played for the Czechoslovak national team from 1960, taking part in five European Championships and the Olympic Games in Rome. His greatest success came in 1967, when he won silver at the European Championship in Helsinki. From 1969-1971 he was with Racing Mechelen in Belgium, where he won the championship. After returning to Czechoslovakia, he again played and coached youth in Zbrojovka. With the exception of two years in Belgium, he was never a professional basketball player, graduated from Brno Technical University and worked all his life at the Energy Research Institute. He retired in 2011 and moved to Prague with his wife. In 2024 he lived in Prague.

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Vladimír Pištělák in 2024

Vladimír Pištělák in 2024

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Vladimír Pištělák in 2024

Vladimír Pištělák in 2024

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Vladimír Pištělák before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Rome, 1960

Vladimír Pištělák before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Rome, 1960

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Vladimír Pištělák as a child (right) with his parents and brother at the swimming pool in Valašské Klobouky, 1941

Vladimír Pištělák as a child (right) with his parents and brother at the swimming pool in Valašské Klobouky, 1941

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Vladimír Pištělák (left) in Rudolc with his mother and brother, 1947

Vladimír Pištělák (left) in Rudolc with his mother and brother, 1947

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Vladimír Pištělák (standing) with his father and brother in Velká nad Veličkou, 1947

Vladimír Pištělák (standing) with his father and brother in Velká nad Veličkou, 1947

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Vladimír Pištělák (behind) with his brother while skiing, 1944

Vladimír Pištělák (behind) with his brother while skiing, 1944

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Vladimír Pištělák at the Sokol camp (second in the bottom row from the right), turn of the 1940s and 1950s

Vladimír Pištělák at the Sokol camp (second in the bottom row from the right), turn of the 1940s and 1950s

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Vladimír Pištělák (top row, first from the left) in the Zbrojovka Brno team that won the national junior championship, 1956

Vladimír Pištělák (top row, first from the left) in the Zbrojovka Brno team that won the national junior championship, 1956

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Vladimír Pištělák (top row, second from left) on a school trip, 1955

Vladimír Pištělák (top row, second from left) on a school trip, 1955

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A picture from the graduation table, second half of the 1950s

A picture from the graduation table, second half of the 1950s

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Vladimír Pištělák (left) with Bohuslav Rylich on the way to the hall during the Olympic tournament in Rome, 1960

Vladimír Pištělák (left) with Bohuslav Rylich on the way to the hall during the Olympic tournament in Rome, 1960

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The Czechoslovak team that succeeded in qualifying for the 1960 Rome Olympics. The tournament was played in Bologna, Vladimír Pištělák is second from the left

The Czechoslovak team that succeeded in qualifying for the 1960 Rome Olympics. The tournament was played in Bologna, Vladimír Pištělák is second from the left

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The Czechoslovak basketball team at the Olympic Village in Rome in 1960

The Czechoslovak basketball team at the Olympic Village in Rome in 1960

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The picture shows the whole Zbrojovka team in their jerseys at the Gezira Cairo stadium in Cairo. From left: Mrázek, Konečný, Konvička, Pištělák, Nebuchla, Zdeněk Bobrovský, Merkl, Helan, Čurda, Pokorný, Kummer, Novák (technical manager)

The picture shows the whole Zbrojovka team in their jerseys at the Gezira Cairo stadium in Cairo. From left: Mrázek, Konečný, Konvička, Pištělák, Nebuchla, Zdeněk Bobrovský, Merkl, Helan, Čurda, Pokorný, Kummer, Novák (technical manager)

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On Zbrojovka's trip to Egypt, 1958

On Zbrojovka's trip to Egypt, 1958

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On a trip of Zbrojovka Brno to Egypt, 1958

On a trip of Zbrojovka Brno to Egypt, 1958

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A match between Team Europe, Wisla Krakow and Real Madrid. Team Europe - players of Zbrojovka Brno: second from left Vladimír Pištělák, fourth František Konvička, seventh Jan Bobrovský, Kraków, 15th and 17th September 1965

A match between Team Europe, Wisla Krakow and Real Madrid. Team Europe - players of Zbrojovka Brno: second from left Vladimír Pištělák, fourth František Konvička, seventh Jan Bobrovský, Kraków, 15th and 17th September 1965

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After the match between Team Europe, Wisla Krakow and Real Madrid. From left: Vladimír Pištělák, František Konvička, Ivan Mrázek (coach of Brno), Kraków, September 1965

After the match between Team Europe, Wisla Krakow and Real Madrid. From left: Vladimír Pištělák, František Konvička, Ivan Mrázek (coach of Brno), Kraków, September 1965

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Vladimír Pištělák (with ball) in PMEZ match against Real Madrid, 1964

Vladimír Pištělák (with ball) in PMEZ match against Real Madrid, 1964

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Vladimir Pištělák (with the ball) in the PMEZ match against Real Madrid, 1964

Vladimir Pištělák (with the ball) in the PMEZ match against Real Madrid, 1964

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With a poster for the European team match against Real Madrid. In the end he did not play for Europe, Czechoslovak officials banned him from the match for political reasons, 1964

With a poster for the European team match against Real Madrid. In the end he did not play for Europe, Czechoslovak officials banned him from the match for political reasons, 1964

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Shooting in the jersey of the European team in Krakow, Poland, 1966

Shooting in the jersey of the European team in Krakow, Poland, 1966

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Shooting in the first league match with VŠ Praha, second half of the 1960s

Shooting in the first league match with VŠ Praha, second half of the 1960s

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Shooting in the first league match with Sparta Prague, 1960s

Shooting in the first league match with Sparta Prague, 1960s

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Vladimír Pištělák in a jump during the first league match with Slovan Bratislava, 1960s

Vladimír Pištělák in a jump during the first league match with Slovan Bratislava, 1960s

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The Czechoslovak team in preparation for the 1967 European Championships in Helsinki, where they won the silver medal. Vladimír Pištělák is second from right above

The Czechoslovak team in preparation for the 1967 European Championships in Helsinki, where they won the silver medal. Vladimír Pištělák is second from right above

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A group picture of the Czechoslovak national team and the Harlem Globetrotters before the American exhibition in Prague. Vladimir Pištělák is seventh from the right above

A group picture of the Czechoslovak national team and the Harlem Globetrotters before the American exhibition in Prague. Vladimir Pištělák is seventh from the right above

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A picture of the Czechoslovak team from the 1969 European Championships in Naples, where they won bronze medals. Top row from the left: Konopásek, Zídek, Novický, Blažek, Mifka, Zedníček. Bottom row from left: Jan Bobrovský, Baroch, Růžička, Vladimír Pištělák, Ammer, Konvička

A picture of the Czechoslovak team from the 1969 European Championships in Naples, where they won bronze medals. Top row from the left: Konopásek, Zídek, Novický, Blažek, Mifka, Zedníček. Bottom row from left: Jan Bobrovský, Baroch, Růžička, Vladimír Pištělák, Ammer, Konvička

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Team Zbrojovka, then called Spartak Brno ZJŠ, season 1967/68. Top row from left: coach Mrázek, František Konvička, Jambor, Cvrkal, Novický, Kovařík, Jan Bobrovský. Bottom row from left: Zdeněk Bobrovský, Ivan Bobrovský, Ballon Měrný, V. Konvička, Vladimír Pištělák, Vlk

Team Zbrojovka, then called Spartak Brno ZJŠ, season 1967/68. Top row from left: coach Mrázek, František Konvička, Jambor, Cvrkal, Novický, Kovařík, Jan Bobrovský. Bottom row from left: Zdeněk Bobrovský, Ivan Bobrovský, Ballon Měrný, V. Konvička, Vladimír Pištělák, Vlk

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Zbrojovka Brno, season 1963/64. Top row from the left: Cvrkal, Jan Bobrovský, Zdeněk Bobrovský, František Konvička, coach Mrázek, Pokorný, Ňuchalík, Vladimír Pištělák. Bottom row from left: Dubš, Jambor, V. Konvička, Konečný, Vlk

Zbrojovka Brno, season 1963/64. Top row from the left: Cvrkal, Jan Bobrovský, Zdeněk Bobrovský, František Konvička, coach Mrázek, Pokorný, Ňuchalík, Vladimír Pištělák. Bottom row from left: Dubš, Jambor, V. Konvička, Konečný, Vlk

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Vladimír Pištělák (with ball) during his engagement in Belgian Racing Bell Mechelen, for which he played from 1969 to 1971

Vladimír Pištělák (with ball) during his engagement in Belgian Racing Bell Mechelen, for which he played from 1969 to 1971

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In the jersey of Mechelen, Belgium, for whom he played from 1969 to 1971

In the jersey of Mechelen, Belgium, for whom he played from 1969 to 1971

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Vladimír Pištělák in Mechelen jersey, standing sixth from the right. He played in Belgium from 1969 to 1971

Vladimír Pištělák in Mechelen jersey, standing sixth from the right. He played in Belgium from 1969 to 1971

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Junior team of Zbrojovka Brno with coach Vladimir Pištělák (bottom right), 1983

Junior team of Zbrojovka Brno with coach Vladimir Pištělák (bottom right), 1983

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A picture of a very successful team of pupils led by Vladimír Pištělák (top right). The team won the Czechoslovak championship in the 1977/78 season and two years later also the junior championship. The highest player Jiří Okáč with number 13 made it to the Czechoslovak national team

A picture of a very successful team of pupils led by Vladimír Pištělák (top right). The team won the Czechoslovak championship in the 1977/78 season and two years later also the junior championship. The highest player Jiří Okáč with number 13 made it to the Czechoslovak national team

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Junior national team of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic after the winning match against Greece at the European Championships with bronze medals. In Yugoslavia in August 1988, it was led by Vladimir Pištělák

Junior national team of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic after the winning match against Greece at the European Championships with bronze medals. In Yugoslavia in August 1988, it was led by Vladimir Pištělák

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The team before leaving the Junior European Championship in Yugoslavia in August 1988. Top row from left: Vladimír Pištělák (coach), Nečásek, Veverka (assistant coach), Pavlas, Buňák, Pelikán, Brtník, Bečka, MUDr. Kotrlík (doctor), Petruška. Bottom row from left: Rašín (technical manager), Svoboda, Michalík, Faith, Hudeček, Polomský

The team before leaving the Junior European Championship in Yugoslavia in August 1988. Top row from left: Vladimír Pištělák (coach), Nečásek, Veverka (assistant coach), Pavlas, Buňák, Pelikán, Brtník, Bečka, MUDr. Kotrlík (doctor), Petruška. Bottom row from left: Rašín (technical manager), Svoboda, Michalík, Faith, Hudeček, Polomský

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Juniors, born 1965 in DPRK (communist North Korea), at the Druzhba tournament in August 1983. Top row from left: Kovář, Dorazil, Nerad, Hartig, Vila, Krejčí. Middle row from left: guide, MUDr. Kotrlík (doctor), Procházka (referee), Moučka (manager), guide, Hlaváč, Vladimír Pištělák (coach). Kneeling from the left: Bucha, Marko, Brokeš, Uhnák, Ďurček

Juniors, born 1965 in DPRK (communist North Korea), at the Druzhba tournament in August 1983. Top row from left: Kovář, Dorazil, Nerad, Hartig, Vila, Krejčí. Middle row from left: guide, MUDr. Kotrlík (doctor), Procházka (referee), Moučka (manager), guide, Hlaváč, Vladimír Pištělák (coach). Kneeling from the left: Bucha, Marko, Brokeš, Uhnák, Ďurček

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Grandfather of Vladimír Pištělák (with long beard, marked with an arrow) in the Austro-Hungarian army in 1914

Grandfather of Vladimír Pištělák (with long beard, marked with an arrow) in the Austro-Hungarian army in 1914

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Vladimír Pištělák at his graduation from the Brno University of Technology, where he received the degree of electrical engineer in 1962

Vladimír Pištělák at his graduation from the Brno University of Technology, where he received the degree of electrical engineer in 1962

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Wedding of Vladimír Pištělak with Zdeňka Lázničková, 1964

Wedding of Vladimír Pištělak with Zdeňka Lázničková, 1964

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The Pištělak family at Christmas 1972, Vladimír, Zdeňka and sons Petr and Igor, who were two and six years old

The Pištělak family at Christmas 1972, Vladimír, Zdeňka and sons Petr and Igor, who were two and six years old

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Military camp in Kežmarok, students of the Military Department of Brno University of Technology. Vladimír Pištělák is at the cannon on the bottom right

Military camp in Kežmarok, students of the Military Department of Brno University of Technology. Vladimír Pištělák is at the cannon on the bottom right

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