Austria was able to underline its status as the clear favorite in the Steffl Arena after a narrow first-leg win. “This is a process that we have to go through. That we prove again and again that we beat these teams, that we are better than these teams in the long run,” explained captain Mykola Bilyk after the victory over the Georgians, who were represented in a final tournament for the first time at the recent European Championships. “And we managed to do that over the two games.”
The Austrians earned their favorite status and seeding in the World Cup play-offs with inspiring performances at the European Championships in Germany. Given the numerous games, one – well-known – shortcoming could not be hidden. The breadth of the squad cannot be compared to that of the top nations, but in the end the exhaustion of the red-white-red long-term players was evident.
Attack from the second row
“We have eight or nine absolute world-class players. But our analysis was that the players behind them also have to bring more. That is the goal that has already begun today,” emphasized ÖHB sports director Patrick Fölser with regard to people like backcourt player Markus Mahr, wing Eric Damböck and Elias Kofler and goalie Florian Kaiper, who were not listed in the European Championship squad. On Sunday, he came in for European Championship hero Constantin Möstl in the first half of his comeback after around a year and was able to justify his substitution.
GEPA/Walter Luger Florian Kaiper cut a fine figure in the Austrian goal on his comeback
Pajovic, who did not have the opportunity to experiment with personnel either at the European Championships or at the narrowly missed Olympic qualification in March, emphasized how “little time” there was for it. “I wanted to do that in the first game in Georgia,” said the Slovenian, who didn’t see much opportunity to do so in the narrow 27:25 win on Thursday. “Today I was able to give them a little more chances and it worked well.” Fölser also summed up with satisfaction. “There was no drop in sight, it continued steadily. We will need that in the future too.”
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Austria gets its World Cup ticket against Georgia
Two players with expiration dates
Speaking of the future: Robert Weber, who was honored for his selection into the European Championship All-Star team before the Georgia game, and Janko Bozovic, two 39-year-olds would be selected for the World Cup in Croatia, Denmark and Norway. “Janko can still help us,” said Pajovic, convinced of the Kuwait legionnaire.
For Wing Weber, player-coach at Bärnbach/Köflach last season, things are a little different. “Robert is still a bit open. He doesn’t yet know what he’ll do next season. What’s important to me is that he plays. If he doesn’t play, it will be difficult for him.” There could be clarity as early as the beginning of November, when the opening duels with Turkey and Switzerland take place in the European Championship qualifiers.
