The Handball Sportunion Leoben starts the promotion play-off against title candidate Handball WEST WIEN on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and wants to achieve its first victory in front of the eyes of national team coach Ales Pajovic, who announced his coming along with other guests of honor.
“It’s going to be a really tough play-off ,” says coach Stephan Hödl in a nutshell, also referring to the draw in the HLA CHALLENGE promotion round, which immediately gives WEST WIEN the title contender for the Montanstadt native. The Viennese were relegated last year as Austrian champions for financial reasons and are aiming for promotion again this year. Even in Leoben, promotion is not categorically ruled out this season, even if there is no time pressure.
“It happens as it should ,” says President Alfred Leithold, who is already building the squad with the sporting leadership.
“Regardless of the outcome of the championship, we are already building our squad for next year. We won’t make any foolish moves and want to continue to build the team.” , Leithold continued.In terms of sport, the game on Saturday at 7 p.m. in front of the home fans will definitely be a challenge. The previous week, the Leoben team lost 37:27 with a severely weakened team and they also had to give up points at home with 22:27.
“There are also playful and tactical means against WEST WIEN to crack the offensive defense ,” the Leoben coach doesn’t let himself be too concerned.The home team continues to struggle with a number of failures. Winger Dennis Stolz is making his comeback after a long-term shoulder injury, but his brother Patrick Stolz, who most recently directed the game in attack in the middle back, is missing. He had to have problems with an old cruciate ligament injury surgically repaired. It is also uncertain whether Marek Kovacech will actually play after his knee operation. Despite the failures, the mood in the team is good and everyone is looking forward to the start of the promotion round.
“We have to be focused and concentrated over the full distance, then we can ensure a successful start.” says the sporting director Mike Rainer.
