Austria’s national ice hockey team starts preparing for the A World Championship in Zurich (from May 15th) on Sunday in Vienna. Team boss Roger Bader is starting off with a young team with an average age of around 24 years, in which, in addition to established players, some talent can also be recommended for the World Cup squad.
However, Bader has already had to do without several top performers: Thomas and Michael Raffl as well as Wukovits and Lebler have canceled, and there is still a question mark over the possible use of Benjamin Baumgartner after an operation. However, there is hope among the NHL legionnaires: Marco Rossi should be available after missing the play-offs, while the situation with Marco Kasper and other players from overseas is still open.
Clear long-term goals
Bader has clear long-term goals, as he told the “Kronen Zeitung”: After his contract extension until 2028, Austria should establish itself as a top 10 nation and qualify for the Olympic Games. Even a small step in the ranking could be decisive.
At the start of the World Cup there will be equally groundbreaking games with Great Britain and Hungary. For Bader, however, one thing is certain: the focus is exclusively on his own performance – regardless of the game plan.
Image: City-Press GmbH picture agency
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