Češi, do toho! 7 words you need to watch a hockey match in Czechia

Ice hockey is more than just a sport for Czechs. This is reflected not only in the number of fans but also in the language that has developed around the game. Many expressions used by fans during matches have very specific meanings that don’t always appear in standard dictionaries.

You don’t need to understand all the rules of hockey to follow what fans are saying. Just knowing a few typical expressions can make watching a game much easier.

These are some of the words and phrases you’re likely to hear when watching hockey in Czechia whether it’s a local derby or a high‑stakes game at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan–Cortina.

Fandit (to cheer for)

The basic verb used when watching sports. It expresses support for a team or a player and is used with the dative case in Czech.

Example: “Fandím Česku.” (I’m cheering for Czechia.)

Češi, do toho! (Go Czechia!)

A classic chant heard in every stadium. Fans yell this to spur their team on, especially in tense or decisive moments. It literally means “Czechs, go for it!”

Example: During the Olympics: “Češi, do toho!” (Go Czechia!)

Kotel (fan section)

The loudest and most active group of fans in the stadium, where organized cheering and chants come from. The literal meaning of the word (boiler) can be confusing for foreigners, but in a hockey context it refers to the intensity and “heat” of the atmosphere.

Example: “Dneska byl kotel opravdu slyšet.” (The fan section was really loud today.)

Nájezd (penalty shot/shootout)

A solo action in which a player skates alone with the puck against the goalkeeper and tries to score a goal.

Example: “Rozhodovat budou nájezdy.” (The penalty shots will decide the game.)

Blafák (deke)

A colloquial and expressive word denoting a deceptive maneuver during a shot on goal. A typical fan reaction to a well‑executed play.

Example: “To byl krásný blafák!” (That was a beautiful deke!)

Vlastňák (own goal)

An informal, clearly evaluative word for a goal scored into one’s own net.

Example: “Nee, on si dal vlastňáka.” (No, he scored an own goal.)

Tyčka (post)

A situation where the puck hits the post instead of going into the net. For fans, it often symbolizes bad luck and a missed opportunity.

Example: “Zase tyčka!” (Off the post again!)

This winter, Czech hockey fans have even more reasons to fandit. At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina, the Czech national men’s team opens its tournament against Canada on Thursday, Feb. 12, a matchup that will be one of the most anticipated games of the group stage. Expect plenty of shouts of “Češi, do toho!” echoing through the stadium as fans cheer on their team.

Leona Špetová works in the Methodological Centre of the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University (UJOP CU). The Institute is a leading authority in teaching Czech as a foreign language.