Austria in EUPHORIA: Handball first, then Kitzbuhel and Pope
By
Posted on
Austria is close to make the biggest result in their handball history. The 8th place with Ales Pajovic at the beginning of his job with the Austrians at home at EHF EURO 2020 could be improved in Germany in the finish of the Olympic cycle for Paris 2024. Chances for Austrian team to qualify for the Main Round in group with Spain and Croatia were just theoretical, but after five matches Bilyk, Hutecek and Co. had two wins and three draws with TOP teams like Spain, Croatia and Germany, which giving them a clear path to the greatest.
- It’s unbeliavable. I am happy to see my players how they played with heart, but also tactically good. We got the points against Germany with defensive play. Heuberger played fantastic, Miskovec also, and other guys. We saw that Germans are young, they were nervous and made a lot of mistakes. We felt down around 45 minutes, but it is normal, we play with small number of players five matches in nine days. Consti Mostl was fantastic – said Pajovic and added:
- I am doing four years to make such an atmosphere. It is easy when you are winning, but you have to be strong when you lose. It is hard to explain with words, four points at Main Round for Austria. Unbeliavable. We have matches against France and Iceland. You can speak about semi-final, but firstly Olympic qualifications. We will see it players can survive. French players are like aliens. Step by step – said coach Ales Pajovic.
Goalkeeper’s coach Nikola Marinovic, legendary Austrian NT member, was excited:
- Who gave us even any chance to get out of the group with Spain and Croatia, and now this? How not to be happy after you play on such level in front of 20.000 fans. We are making jokes, we are now sports news No.1 in Austria, even before Kitzbuhel, and that is the only thing more important than a Pope – said Marinovic.
