Team Austria feel ready for Silver League after friendlies with EuroVolley co-hosts
News
Team Austria are currently preparing for the start of the CEV European Silver League 2021, with matches scheduled from Friday to Sunday at the Johann-Pölz-Halle in Amstetten.
Peter Wohlfahrtstätter“To win against a EuroVolley host is a great thing. Apart from maybe three players, the Czechs were in their best line-up. The win gives us an additional boost for the Silver League home tournament.”
Captain of Team Austria
In the past three days, Austria played two friendly international matches against EuroVolley co-hosts Czech Republic. In the first match, the Austrians had to admit defeat 0-3 (18-25, 14-25, 22-25), before the re-match ended in a 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-13) victory. Team rookie Johannes Kratz was the top scorer for Team Austria on both occasions with 14 and 21 points respectively.
“We served poorly on Friday and it did not work in attack either. Saturday was much better. We were able to stabilise and improve in attack, but above all we blocked very well [14 to 8 points, note]. The reaction to the performance in the first game was very positive, as was the fact that all players enjoyed their share of playing time. I think that the path towards the Silver League opener on Friday is right. We can therefore be satisfied with the three days we spent here in Ceske Budejovice,” said head coach Radovan Gacic.
Austria’s opponents in Amstetten are Hungary, Croatia and Luxembourg from Friday to Sunday.