Jihlava U20 vs Kometa Brno U20

Kometa Brno stormed out of the blocks with a dream start. Within the first minute, defenceman Robin Kavan opened the scoring — assisted by Vehovský — to put the visitors ahead 1-0. They doubled their lead in the 14th minute when Jan Kerbler found the net with help from M. Kijonka and Beroun, making it 2-0 at the first intermission.

Jihlava refused to fold. They pulled one back in the second period — the scorer was not published in available match reports — to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the second intermission. The hosts carried that momentum into the third, equalising midway through the final frame to make it 2-2. Neither side could break the deadlock in the five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period, forcing a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Jihlava converted their attempts while Kometa could not answer, sealing a 3-2 comeback victory for the home side.

Kometa's inability to add a third goal while they were on top proved decisive. The visitors dominated the first period and raced to a two-goal lead, but let Jihlava back into the game by failing to extend their advantage. The home side's equaliser in the third period shifted momentum completely, and Kometa could not recover.

• Robin Kavan (Kometa Brno U20) — Opened the scoring inside the first minute from defence, setting the tone for Kometa's fast start.
• Jan Kerbler (Kometa Brno U20) — Doubled Kometa's lead in the 14th minute with a composed finish.
• Jihlava U20 goaltender — Held firm after the first period, keeping his team in the game before shutting the door in the shootout.

Player of the Match: Jihlava U20 goaltender — kept the home side alive after the early two-goal deficit and delivered clutch saves in the shootout.

Kometa's first-period burst (two goals, one inside 30 seconds) tells only half the story. The visitors went cold after the first intermission, failing to add to their tally across the final 40 minutes plus overtime. Jihlava's persistence paid off with a goal in each of the middle two periods, completing the turnaround from 0-2 to 3-2. The 3-2 scoreline reflects two distinct phases: Kometa's early control and Jihlava's gradual, determined response.

This was a pre-season friendly for both Czech U20 sides as they prepare for the upcoming Extraliga juniorů season. Kometa Brno U20 had previously beaten Mountfield HK U20 in overtime (14 August) and Poruba U20 (13 August) in earlier pre-season action, making this defeat a minor setback in their preparation.

Next fixtures:

• Kometa Brno U20: vs Mountfield HK U20 — 20 August 2026
• Jihlava U20: TBC

A pre-season friendly that followed a familiar script: a fast-starting team fails to put the game away, and a patient opponent makes them pay. Jihlava's resilience to overturn a two-goal deficit against a Kometa side they have historically struggled against (9 wins in 39 H2H meetings) will please their coaching staff. Kometa, meanwhile, will rue the missed chance to build on their dominant opening period.

This article was based on the official Kometa Brno match report, Betmana.co.uk match data, and historical head-to-head records.