Zlín Bolsters Roster with Vítkovice Loan Players in Fight for Max League Standing
The struggling RI Okna Berani Zlín are reinforcing their squad with reinforcements from the Czech extra-league’s Vítkovice, bringing in experienced goalkeeper Lukáš Klimeš and promising Polish striker Krzysztof Macias as they battle to climb out of the bottom of the Max league table.
The Rams announced the acquisitions on their official website, confirming that both players are expected to be available for Saturday’s home match against SC Marimex Cologne. “By coming in, Lukáš Klimeš and Krzysztof Macias, we are expanding our squad and strengthening in two important positions,” stated the club’s sports manager, Jan Srdínko. “We know both players well and know what they can offer the team.”
Srdínko highlighted the distinct strengths each player brings to Zlín. “Lukáš brings experience, calmness and stability in the goal area, while Krzysztof offers energy, speed and a desire to assert himself. We will agree on their next starts according to their use in the extra league,” he added.
Klimeš, 31, provides a reliable presence between the pipes, currently serving as the backup to Dominik Hrachovina. Macias, ten years his junior, has demonstrated offensive potential, having registered five goals and one assist in 24 appearances during the 2025/26 season. The partnership builds on an existing collaboration with Vítkovice, with fullback Patrik Brůna and forward Petr Hauser already contributing to the Zlín roster.
The Saturday afternoon clash against Cologne, scheduled for a 4 p.m. start, represents a crucial opportunity for Zlín to distance themselves from the bottom of the league. Currently, the Rams are vying with HC Dynamo Pardubice B and HC RT TORAX Poruba 2011 to avoid the lowest positions in the standings.
Current RI Okna Berani Zlín Roster:
Goalkeepers: Marek Čiliak, Daniel Huf, Marek Uherek, Lukáš Klimeš.
Defenders: Patrik Brůna, Zdeněk Čáp, Adam Hamrla, David Aubrecht, Tomáš Hanousek, Tom Ondračka, Vojtěch Riedl, Aleksi Salonen, Jan Štibingr, Tadeáš Talafa, Václav Veber, Matěj Zavřel.
Attackers: Michal Gago, Petr Hauser, Lukáš Heš, Martin Holba, Petr Holík, Bedřich Köhler, Pavel Kordule, Jaromír Kverka, Radek Mužík, Jesse Paukku, Tomáš Pilát, Robert Říčka, Stanislav Sadovikov, Pavel Sedláček, Jakub Šlahař, Lukáš Válek, Tomáš Vracovský, Přemysl Svoboda, Martin Vaculík, Krzysztof Macias.
Max League Table (as of current reporting):
| TEAM | Z | V | V | P | SCORE | BODY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. HC Dukla Jihlava | 29 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 87:57 | 62 |
| 2. HC Slavia Prague | 30 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 90:60 | 61 |
| 3. SC Marimex Cologne | 30 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 81:69 | 54 |
| 4. HC Stadium Litoměřice | 29 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 90:82 | 52 |
| 5. SK Horácká Slavia Třebíč | 30 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 77:81 | 46 |
| 6. VHK ROBE Vsetín | 30 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 79:78 | 43 |
| 7. Pirates of Chomutov | 30 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 77:81 | 42 |
| 8. HC Tábor | 30 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 81:82 | 41 |
| 9. HC ZUBR Rev | 30 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 64:74 | 41 |
| 10. HC Frýdek-Místek | 30 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 80:84 | 39 |
| 11. HC Baník Sokolov | 30 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 73:91 | 39 |
| 12. HC RT TORAX Poruba 2011 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 85:92 | 37 |
| 13. HC Dynamo Pardubice B | 30 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 74:85 | 35 |
| 14. RI Okna Berani Zlín | 30 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 66:88 | 35 |
The arrival of Klimeš and Macias represents a strategic move by Zlín to inject experience and offensive firepower into a team desperately seeking to improve its position in the competitive Max league.
