Austria's handball team: spirit of optimism before duels against Germany!

Austria's handball team: spirit of optimism before duels against Germany!

In the coming weeks, decisive games are on the program for the Austrian national handball team. Team boss Aleš Pajovič emphasizes the importance of these games, especially in view of the failures of several key players. In an interview with the Kleine Zeitung to the current situation and the challenges that the team has to master.

Austria's national team is confronted with the absences of Mykola Bilek, Eric Damböck and Boris Zivkovic in the double game against Germany. Bilyk is struggling with thigh problems, Damböck cannot participate for private reasons and Zivkovic is not yet 100 % fit. Pajovič points out that the loss of Bilek weighs heavily because it cannot be replaced one to one. However, Janko Bozovic was appointed back to the team to provide support. The compensation of these failures is crucial, especially according to the experiences that the team had during the last world championship, where it was already confronted with similar challenges, as Pajovič explains.

tactical preparations and goals

In view of the strong 6-0 defense, which the German team forms, Austria plans to attack with an offensive tactic of seven against six. This strategy has proven to be successful in previous encounters with teams such as Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic. In addition, Pajovič is optimistic that her performance was encouraging in six against six against France, despite a strength ending.

A point win against Germany is considered essential for the team, since you have to prepare for the upcoming qualification games for the EHF Euro 2026. From January 15th to February 1, 2026, these take place in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, with France appearing as the defending champion. Austria is divided into group 7 together with Germany, Switzerland and Turkey.

The upcoming games will take place on November 7, 2024 against Turkey in Bregenz and on November 10, 2024 against Switzerland in Schaffhausen. The second legs against Germany are scheduled for 13 and 15 March 2025, while the encounter against Turkey on 7./8. May 2025 and the last decisive game against Switzerland on May 11, 2025 in Graz. The website of the Austrian Handball Association, where Pajovič points out that you have to concentrate on the crucial weeks, also offers information on the situation and failures.