Futsalers in EM qualifiers

Home premiere should make promotion easier

Futsal team manager Patrik Barbic.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austria's national futsal team will kick off the preliminary round of the European Championship qualifiers on Thursday at the Eisenstadt Sports Center. Team boss Patrik Barbic's selection will face Bulgaria for the first time. There is great anticipation for the home tournament, and ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel is also confident.

For the first time, a EURO qualifier will take place in Austria - and the national futsal team will kick off against Bulgaria in Eisenstadt on Thursday (17, live on ÖFB TV). "The home advantage can bring out a few percent more in our boys," says Vienna team boss Patrik Barbic, hoping for plenty of fans for the opening clash against the Bulgarians at the sports center in the Burgenland capital. "We want to start with a good performance. We guarantee that we will leave heart and passion on the pitch."

Full focus in preparation - Austria's futsalers are ready.

(Bild: ÖFB/Patrick Vranovsky)

For captain Vahid Muharemovic, the following applies ahead of the opener against the UEFA 41st - five places ahead of Austria: "We expect a robust Bulgarian team. They have big, strong players." You have to run the ball well and focus on your own game. "Then the chances are very good. The anticipation is huge. I can hardly wait to hear the anthem."

ÖFB Head of Sport Peter Schöttel and BFV President Georg Pangl visit.

(Bild: ÖFB/Patrick Vranovsky)

Head of Sport Peter Schöttel is also hoping for a successful start at the ÖFB, who visited the training session in advance with Stefan Gogg, Head of Organization Directorate Sport, and BFV President Georg Pangl. And he also got the squad ready for the preliminary round tournament, where San Marino (Friday) and Israel (Sunday) await. "I'm glad that we're playing the qualifiers in Austria," said Schöttel. "We're optimistic about progressing to the next round. Our players are in a good mood and a close-knit unit." The group winners and runners-up will advance to the main qualifying round.