Seven field championships, six box championships and no end in sight. Pavel Dosly is playing in his 13th World Lacrosse championship at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championship for Czechia.
At a young age, Dosly was introduced to a Czech version of lacrosse, a local game that is most similar to that of traditional lacrosse. In 1991, when Dosly was 11 years old, a team visited from British Columbia, the Langley Knights, that showed Pavel and others box lacrosse.
“We were like ‘Oh, this is great,’” Dosly recalled. “They brought some sticks, and we quit playing Czech lacrosse and started playing the real sport.”
After competing in local events and European tournaments, Dosly made his world championship debut in Baltimore in field lacrosse in 1998 where Czechia finished in ninth. He remembers the feeling of that event vividly.
“I think I only played maybe three minutes so I’m not sure if you can count it, but I was there,” Dosly joked. “We [Czechia team] got to see lacrosse at the best it is played and how it is actually played.”
Dosly recalls the dramatic championship game between the United States and Canada. The game had more than 10,000 spectators in attendance to watch the United States’ epic 15-14 overtime victory. The game has been widely considered to be one of the greatest games ever played.
“The final game went into overtime, there were great stories, great players making history, and hall of fame talent – it had everything,” Dosly said. “Seeing it [championship game] made me want to play lacrosse for the rest of my life.”
At Dosly’s first international event, there were only 11 World Lacrosse member nations, all of which were present at the event. As of March 2024, there are now 92 member nations playing lacrosse.
“It’s a different stage,” said Dosly. “There is different equipment. Games are getting faster and faster and harder for people who have been playing for a long time, like I have, to keep the pace. The ball movement is much faster than it used to be.”
With close to equal experience in both field and box world championships, Dosly doesn’t notice much of a difference between the two disciplines.
“A lot of young guys ask me about it [the difference in disciplines] and I always say it’s a sport with a stick and a ball, you’re doing the same thing,” Dosly claimed. “Catching, passing, running, shooting – there’s no differences for me.”
At the age of 44, Dosly is still passionate about playing the game and what draws him to it the most.
“It’s complex,” Dosly said. “It’s perfect. It’s running, quick thinking, quick passing, a team sport, big team energy – it has everything.”
After 13 world championships, nearing 26 years on the international lacrosse field, the thought of retiring has crossed his mind.
“Every time after a game when you’re not feeling great or hurt something, you think about it,” Dosly said. “It’s all about the body. If I’m going to be physical and healthy, then why quit?”
The next men’s senior world championship will be in 2027 in Japan and Dosly has his eyes set on international play still.
“It’s ultimately a coach’s decision. If they want me to play, then I’ll play,” Dosly shared. ”I don’t know why I’d quit. I love it. I do it. Why quit then?”
When will Dosly stop? He hopes not until his two children enter into international competition.
“My dream is to play with my kids, so I need to play at least a couple more years for them,” Dosly said. “It would be great to play one regular senior season with them.”
