The Czech Republic have confirmed Zdenek Hummel is to replace Michal Jezdik as coach of the men's national team.

CEZ Nymburk coach Jezdik wanted to retain his job with the national side but on Thursday the basketball federation's executive committee decided to hand the reins to the 58-year-old Hummel on a two-year deal.

Jezdik has done an excellent job as coach of Nymburk the past two seasons in both domestic basketball and in Europe, but he was unable to steer the Czechs into last year's EuroBasket.

Hummel led the Czechs during their last EuroBasket appearance in France in 1999 and returns after six years away from the post.

His main aim will be to guide the Czechs back to that competition, with qualifying games for the 2007 event starting at the end of August.

"I wish to qualify with my team for the EuroBasket, which takes place in Spain in 2007," he said.

"I know it will be hard work but there aren't any outsiders in Europe so we would like to advance.

"I know what it means to be a coach of the national team. It is a big responsibility," he added.

"I want to have young coaches around me and I believe in good co operation with them. I would like to build a new staff around me first."

The Czechs have recently had more success with their women's team.

Jan Bobrovsky's side won silver at the EuroBasket 2003 in Greece and after playing at the Olympics, won gold last summer in Turkey.

Hummel coaches Czech top flight Mlekarna Kunin, who are currently second behind Jezdik's Nymburk in the domestic NBL.

"I am not sure right now if I will be a coach in Kunin as well," he added.

"My contract will end after this season and we will talk about that later.

Croatian coach Daniel Jusup joined Hummel and Jezdik in applying for the post but Ivan Zach, president of the Czech Basketball Federation, confirmed Hummel was the federation's top choice.

"I think that Zdenek Hummel is the best decision," he said. "He simply had more votes than Michal Jezdik."

Jezdik has led the national team since 2000, when Hummel resigned following the unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2001 EuroBasket.

At the EuroBasket in 1999, the Czechs earned shock wins over Lithuania and Greece before succumbing in the eighth-final round.