Barstool’s Jake Malasek Makes Noise at 2025 Euros For Czechia

Barstool’s very own Jake Malasek is a man of many talents, and we don’t just mean jumping around different aspects of Barstool content...from Coach Jon Gruden’s right-hand man, to team captain of The Dozen’s Grinders, to even his legendary run as Yak Gauntlet goalie.

No, today we’re talking about a lesser-known, but maybe most incredible talent: being the starting goalie for the Czechia National Lacrosse Team, who are currently in the thick of the 2025 Euros in Poland.

For the newer Stoolies or Barstool Breakdown readers, Malasek has jumped on the Breakdown with the boys, and I highly recommend checking out his interview to learn more about his journey, background, and always-electric Yak moments.(Watch here: YouTube link)

Today, the focus is more on his once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent his nation, culture, & heritage. Not only for a chance at the Euros, but potentially Worlds, and dare I say even the Olympics.

I thought it was important to give Stoolies an inside look at the Euros, how Jake got this opportunity, and how it’s all going. There’s only one way to do that, ask the source with a little Q&A action.

So let’s take a look with the Czechia goalie himself:

Day: Let’s start with your lacrosse background...what point in your life did the love and journey begin? (Including your time at Trinity College)

Malasek: "I started playing lacrosse in high school my freshman year as a sport requirement filler in the spring. Hated running so they told me to play backup goalie on JV. I was a big hockey player so that was my main focus, but I destroyed my hip junior year and really couldn't play anymore so I decided to focus on lacrosse. Got into Trinity just as a student coming out of high school and walked on to the team there and then transferred to UVA as a sophomore and would practice with the team until COVID which shifted me into doing media for UVA athletics and the lax team."

Day: It’s funny how it started as a requirement or even a filler like you said, and now it’s opened the door to representing your heritage and nation, something I know as a former athlete myself we ALL dream of. To be able to say your played on a national team, that's freaking badass! Can you dive into your heritage a bit, how you got involved with the Czechia National Team, and what it means to you?

Malasek: "My dad is born and raised in Kremze which is like a town of 3000 people 2 hours south of Prague. He came over after the wall came down and went to UVA business school with my mom. We were big Jagr fans growing up around DC while he played for the Caps but always rooted for the Czech guys/teams. When I was 16 we got a Czech passport for me and my sister which allows me to play for the Czechs. I interned as a helper at the 2018 World Games in Israel and met the Czech coaching staff over there and told them I had a passport and played goalie and got connected that way."

Day: Always a great story when Jaromír Jágr is involved a Czech legend, and wild how hockey kind of tied back to this opportunity, which from your play recently it seems you still got those hockey hits in you!

So you connected in 2018, but how long have you been playing with the national team? And before the Euros, what’s been your best or favorite moment?

Malasek: "I started playing with them in 2019, we won a Bronze medal at the U20 Euros in 2019 that was sick. 2022 we went 5-0 in the European qualifiers and then being able to play in the 2023 World Championships was pretty surreal."

Bronze Medal Highlights!

Day: I remember you talking about the Worlds on the Yak, an awesome story that also started to shed light on a possible Olympics run in the future. To have a medal from a World's is something no one will ever forget, what a cool accomplishment. Let’s talk about the current squad now. I mean I gotta ask for the Stoolies hah. Do any of your Czech teammates or opponents know what Barstool is? Or Coach Gruden? Is it tough to explain what you do?

Malasek: "These guys have zero idea about American football, they know I work on the internet but that's about it LMAO. So I guess I don't try to explain it and they don't really ask to be honest."

Day: That makes sense, I had to ask but definitely assumed there might not be much crossover interest haha and may be tough for you to explain some of the major Yak moments LMAO. BUT could we get your guys to do the gauntlet in the future??? Or showing some Gruden boxes vids to the them would be one hell of a culture shock I'm sure!!!

Team bonding is always the best, what are the vibes like with the team?

Malasek: "The vibes are hilarious because for the most part all of these guys live in the same town (Radotin) in Czechia and they all play box lacrosse together in the same league. They are all best friends and probably will live there forever."

Day: That’s awesome. You’ve also been posting on X, and there’s been some cool content. For those who haven't seen you need to check it out! It's really cool to be able to see different cultures around the world. Well of course being in Europe you’re getting to travel a bit, any favorite cities so far?

Malasek: "We've been to Wroclaw twice now, but Prague is my favorite city in Europe by far. Getting to play there with my parents there was awesome in 2019, and it's such a sweet city with almost all of the old stuff still there which most post WW2 euro cities don't have. If any stoolies can get to Prague, you have to. It's truly the coolest city I've ever been to."

Day: Prague always looks so unique, it’s definitely a must-visit. I love how you mentioned the history part as a history teacher myself, many Americans don't know the wild & rich history of Prague, Czechia. I'm telling you look up WW2 and beyond for instance to see what the nation and people have gone through.

Alright I have probably already over asked and made you take so much time(thank you again), but final one as qualifying things can be a bit confusing: From a logistics/tournament standpoint, what’s at stake here aside from the obvious Euro Championship? Are the Olympics in play?

Malasek: "The top 7 from this tournament qualify for the 2027 world championships in Japan which is the goal, Olympic qualifiers tie into this but it's not make or break. Being good here definitely helps though."

Well what a HUGE THANK YOU to Jake for taking the time, even during the tournament, to give us a really cool interview and insight into the 2025 Euros. He has been playing great for the squad so far, but of course it is a long grind in which he wants to stay focused on, so to give me the time to do this was very amazing of him. So lets make sure to tune in!!!

With the time difference, make sure you’re tuning in early in the day to follow Jake and Czechia. They’re off to a hot 2-0 start, including a big win over Spain today or this morning over here on the west coast. You can watch all of his and any other match online here: YouTube Channel – LAXTv529

Alright so come on now, let’s get behind Jake. As Stoolies, and the greater Barstool Family a little extra support from home might give him just enough extra juice every time he steps on the field. This is an incredible feat and truly deserves his flowers, he does great with Barstool content we all love, and now it's our turn to give him our support in return!

Jake, thank you again for letting us into your journey. We’re all Czechia fans here!