Czechoslovak handball coach Jiří Žeržan had success both domestically and internationally as the long-standing coach of the women’s national team. In 1986 Žeržan he led the team to the final of the World Women’s Handball Championship, but lost to the Soviet Union. Two years later he coached the team at the Seoul Olympics, where they placed fifth. During his long career he coached the national team in more than 420 matches, and was inducted into the Union of Professional Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1997 Žeržan was also honoured with the Fair Play Award by the Czech Olympic Committee.
Czechoslovakia