01.01.2014, 10:07
Austrian coach Johannesson wants to see smiling faces all around

EHF EURO COUNTDOWN: Four-nation tournament in Germany forms the major part of Austria's final preparations for the EHF EURO in Denmark

Austrian coach Johannesson wants to see smiling faces all around

Four test matches are the 'final countdown' for the Austrian team prior to the Men’s EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark, where they will face FYR Macedonia, Czech Republic and hosts Denmark in the preliminary round.

Head coach Patrekur Johannesson started the 'mission Denmark' on 27 December with a preparation camp in Vienna with all players selected bare the nine who are contracted for German clubs as the Bundesliga went on until exactly this day.

These 'Germans' will arrive directly for the final camp prior to the four-nation tournament that the Austrians will play on German courts.

The EHF EURO 2010 hosts will face Germany, Iceland and Russia during a tournament from 3 to 5 January.

The final test will come on home court on 8 January against African top team Egypt in Vienna, two days later Austria will head for Denmark, where they have their first group match on 12 January against Czech Republic – already a crucial encounter for the Austrian goal to reach the main round.

"We will announce our definitive EHF EURO squad right after the tournament in Germany," said Johannesson.

Those nine players from Bundesliga clubs will form the base for the first EHF EURO to which the Austria made it by qualification (finishing second below Serbia but ahead of Russia in their group): Thomas Bauer (Lemgo), Robert Weber (Magdeburg), Roland Schlinger (Balingen), Nikola Marinovic (Göppingen), Janko Bozovic (Emsdetten), Raul Santos (Gummersbach), Viktor Szilagyi, Richard Wöss and Maximilian Hermann (all Bergischer HC).

Additionally the Austrian squad consists of experienced players from the domestic league like record international Patrick Fölser (pictured below), who had originally finished his career in October 2012, former Bundesliga top scorer Konrad Wilczynski or Markus Wagesreiter.

But Johannesson is also willing to give chances to some young guns during the final stages of preparation.

High hopes

Ten players in the Austrian team have already gained EHF EURO experience, as they had been part of the squad in 2010 on home court, when the hosts finished ninth.

Currently the only player confirmed to miss the EHF EURO is Dominik Ascherbauer, additionally Johannesson will have to replace Alexander Herrmann and Lucas Mayer at the four-nation tournament in Germany because of injuries.

"We hope that they will be fit until the EHF EURO, but if not, we will have to give more responsibility to other players," coach Johannesson said.

In general hopes are high in Austria to continue the way they had begun during their qualification, when they beat Serbia and Russia.

"We are experienced enough to stand the pressure of the EHF EURO. The opening match against the Czechs will be crucial for the rest of the preliminary round. If we win, anything can happen,” said top star Viktor Szilagyi.

He is the only Austrian, who has won all three major EHF European Cup competitions (EHF Champions League, EHF Cup and EHF Cup Winners’ Cup) in his career.

"We always need to think in a positive way," is the motto of Johannesson before the start of the EHF EURO.

"Even if most experts believe we are going to return home after the first stage, we all know that we can make it – maybe not against Denmark, but against both remaining opponents.

"It is my character to go for the maximum in every match, regardless if we face Greenland or Denmark. And for me it is highly important that all players are in a positive mood – when you smile, you can reach for the top."

(Large photo courtesy of ÖHB)

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts