Sporty and stylish

ÖFB talent not only popular on Instagram

Paul-Friedrich Koller (2nd from right; number 5) cuts a fine figure on and off the pitch.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Paul-Friedrich Koller is one of the country's most promising defensive talents. With his stylish posts, the footballer inspires no less than 83,000 followers on Instagram, but his great passion is the round leather. The Altach central defender is already back in action today with his U21 teammates.

Paul-Friedrich Koller is back with the U21 team. An environment in which the 22-year-old feels right at home. In the sensational 2:0 victory over France in the European Championship qualifiers in November, the defender scored a brace to become the match winner. "That was one of the best moments of my career because it was one of the best opponents I've played against and scored against. It was a hugely important win for us," said Koller in an interview with krone.at.

Paul-Friedrich Koller - one of the pillars of the U21 team

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Gift for team boss Gregoritsch?
Today (20:30) the friendly duel with Denmark awaits in Ried. On team boss Werner Gregoritsch's 66th birthday, of all days. Extra motivation for Koller and Co.: "It's cool for the team when you can give the coach a present. That's our goal! We want to win the game one hundred percent, it's not a friendly for us." It is also the dress rehearsal for the European Championship qualifier against Cyprus. A win is a must next Tuesday, as the red-white-red team is currently only in third place with seven points behind France and Slovenia (both nine points). "We don't need to make any major changes. We have the quality to prevail in this group and have to win the games," emphasized Koller.

"Relegation shouldn't be an issue"
 Koller traveled to the U21 team with confidence in his luggage. On Saturday, the defender picked up a point with Altach in the Bundesliga thanks to a last-minute goal against Vienna Austria, the "strongest opponent in the qualifying group". "That was very important not to start the lower play-off with a negative experience." The youngster is convinced of his team's ability: "That's why relegation shouldn't be an issue."

His contract in Vorarlberg runs until 2026, so the next step in his career is probably only a matter of time. What's next in the summer? "There's no direction," says Koller, not looking at his cards. "As an U21 team player, you have the opportunity to play your way into the limelight. I've managed to do that to a certain extent." He is delighted with GAK's run of success, which is on the home straight towards a Bundesliga comeback in the second division: "Precisely because it was so close last year. I'm still in contact with some of the players."

Koller (right) at the duel with Vienna Austria

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"It may sound absurd, but it helps me"
 Always stylishly dressed, the man from Graz also cuts a good figure off the pitch, as his pictures on social media suggest. More than 83,000 followers are the result. "It's a hobby of mine, I simply enjoy it and it helps me to concentrate even more on soccer. As absurd as that may sound to some people."

Social media also offers another opportunity to market yourself as an athlete: "In the US and German-speaking countries, you can see that footballers are increasingly acting as a brand and social media presence is becoming more and more important." Will a second career as a model soon follow? "I don't think so," smiles Koller. "Football is always in the foreground!"