HLA return within reach

West Vienna hot! “All that counts now is getting out”

West Wien captain Paul Pfeifer and Co. want to return to the HLA after the Cup triumph.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

West Vienna's Cup heroes can return to the top flight of handball early on Wednesday evening at top rivals Atzgersdorf. Coach Roland Marouschek warns, but is in good spirits. The three duels so far this season have always resulted in home victories. 

"There's no chance that we won't take Atzgersdorf seriously - they're a strong team." Says West Vienna coach Roland Marouschek, who now wants to celebrate his return to the HLA after the Cup triumph in the second league match at Steinergasse. Not on Tuesday as planned, but on Wednesday (20, live on krone.tv).

This postponement, due to the cup win, caused a lot of discussion. "Wednesday is our only free day of the week, when players and support staff can attend compulsory appointments in the evenings for their studies and work," sighed Atzgersdorf boss Christian Mahr. Marouschek emphasizes: "We agreed to Tuesday - except for the initially unbelievable case that we would reach the Cup final. There was talk of Wednesday." Mahr immediately congratulated Fivers boss Tom Menzl and Fünfhaus chairman Flo Bohata on the title sensation in and against Schwaz. "Hats off! A great performance in the final. But in the league our duels were always closely contested."

West Vienna coach Roland Marouschek.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

There were home wins in each of the season's three special matches - Atzgersdorf with +2, West Wien with +3 and +1. "We already said on the way back from Schwaz that the Cup is over, now the league and promotion count. Players who want to make it big are characterized by looking ahead straight away," says Marouschek, who knows that the final in Tyrol "has released forces that you don't manage every time. You also see something like that on the big soccer stage, where clubs have to readjust."

A win on Wednesday would see West Wien firmly back in the top flight. Because the "Greens" (eight played the U18 Final Four in Hollgasse a few hours after returning home, losing to eventual champions Krems) would have a six-point lead with three rounds to go and would have won the direct duel. Marouschek continues to rely on goalie veteran Uvodic. "Sandro is a great man, not just in sporting terms! A super person and a man for all occasions." The 42-year-old became HLA champion last year and saw Consti Möstl shine.

Atzgersdorf boss Christian Mahr.(Bild: Atzgersdorf)

The national keeper was also delighted to watch the successor team's Cup victory and joined in via video call, as did former colleagues Frimmel, Jelinek, Elias Kofler and Katic. Marouschek: "The spirit of the champions lives on - this West Vienna spirit is great." It should bring the HLA return after a year of "absence".