Is it successful in the World Cup semi-final? The new magic for Austria’s ice hockey team-Diepresse.com
The ice hockey national team today plays against Switzerland for the semi-finals: with a stable defensive, ice-cold torrier-and large team spirit.
The quality, team spirit and self-confidence have brought Austria’s national ice hockey team back into a World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 31 years. The next hurdle on the way to the first semi -finals since 1947 has been Vice World Champion Switzerland (4:20 p.m., Live Orf1). « We have never had such a spirit. The team is amazing, » enthused team boss Roger Bader in front of the duel with his Swiss homeland. « It is logical, if you are in a quarter -finals, you want to win too. »
After early highlights (World Cup bronze 1931 and 1947), after years of paternoster existence between the performance levels three years ago, in the concert of the big ones and now shown: For the first time in modern times, Austria is coming against Slovakia (2: 1 n. P.), France (5: 2), Slovenia (3: 2 n. P.) and Latvia (6: 1) Victories at a World Cup. To get below the top eight as number 13 in the world can already be seen as a sensation. « This is almost our world championship title, » said Bader.
Defensive stability around the sovereign goalkeeper David Kickert (92 percent fishing quota) and extreme cold chores in front of the goal (third -efficient team in the basic round) distinguishes this young Austrian team at the World Cup so far. For Captain Thomas Raffl, youthful lightness may be the most important puzzle stone to success, because in the past the respect for great nations may have been too great. « Now we just went in with this youthful group and said we play with them, » said the 38-year-old. « We have to maintain the belief, then you can also move mountains in the quarter -finals. »
Stars without everywhere
The chemistry within the team is right. It is characteristic of this, Marco Kasper, the only NHL legionnaire in the squad-and a team player through and through. « It comes, adds to the team, we are so far away from star air.
Kasper leads the outstanding first line with Dominic Zwerger (Ambri-Piotta/Sui) and Peter Schneider (Salzburg). The Detroit Center (four goals and three assists) and the wings dwarfs (three and four) and Schneider (two and five) have booked seven scorer points each. Like the four -time goal scorer Vinzenz Rohrer, they are drained by the Montreal Canadiens and already two Swiss champions and winners of the Champions Hockey League, against the Confederates. (swi)
