Austria Faces North Macedonia in Main Round Opener: A Game of Emotions and Strategy
On Tuesday at 3:30 PM (CET), live on ORF 1, Austria will face North Macedonia in their first match of the main round of the European Handball Championship in Varaždin, Croatia. The last encounter between the two teams was at the 2020 European Championship, where Austria secured a 32:28 victory in the group stage. Back then, Kiril Lazarov captained North Macedonia on the court; today, he leads them as head coach. Austrian captain Sebastian Frimmel discusses the upcoming opponent, their chances of reaching the quarterfinals, and why emotions will play a key role in their success.
What does Austria expect in the main round opener in Varaždin (CRO)? Will it be a physical match against North Macedonia?
Sebastian Frimmel:
“I definitely think so. I expect a very close game. North Macedonia has a fantastic team. They also have a lot of fans here, as we’ve heard. We hope everything stays within bounds, remains fair, and no one gets hurt. It’s going to be an amazing game. We’re really excited about playing in a packed arena with so many fans giving their all.”
What characterizes their style of play?
Sebastian Frimmel:
“We’ll definitely need to watch out for their shooter, Filip Kuzmanovski, as well as their play around the pivot. They have a very strong and experienced player in that position. They’re also tactically versatile, well-practiced, and, of course, well-coached by the legendary player Kiril Lazarov. Their overall package is similar to ours. We need to give everything for every ball and attack to make the game successful.”
How will you counter them tactically?
Sebastian Frimmel:
“I think we need to stick to playing patient attacks and make as few mistakes as possible. We’ve already done that well in some instances, but not consistently. That’s what we need to refine further: retreating quickly, managing our substitutions, and setting up our defense in a six-on-six as successfully as we’ve shown we can.”
It’s often said that your team thrives on emotions. Will emotions fuel your journey in the main round and a possible quarterfinal?
Sebastian Frimmel:
“With every bit of emotion we can muster. We are fully motivated. Just thinking about being in the main round gives me goosebumps. We’re facing three teams we can definitely beat, but it won’t be easy. That’s why we need to keep our emotions high—fighting for every point together, one for all and all for one.”
OEHB/Kolektiff
