Handball World Championship

Frimmel: “Our dream is the quarter-finals”

Captain and top wing Seppo Frimmel is called upon again today - it will be a key game against his handball home country Hungary.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austria's handball team clashes with Hungary at the World Championship today (20:30). We will be reporting live - see ticker below.

Here is the ticker for the game:

The "Krone" reports from Varazdin

A key match. Losing is forbidden. If Austria want to reach the World Championship quarter-finals, they need to win against Hungary today in Varazdin in the battle for the top 2 of the main round. Captain Seppo Frimmel meets his handball homeland, the Szeged winger spoke about the emotions in this "special" match during yesterday's "Krone" visit to the team hotel.

• the emotions in this "special duel": "It'll be cool! We're in the same hotel as the other teams. Nice to meet colleagues - although it will be funny to see them on the opposite side in the game.

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• The importance of handball in Hungary: It's very high. Sometimes there are even TV teams at training. I was in Saalbach before the World Championships, there were Hungarian employees in the hotel - everyone recognized me as a player. I enjoy that because it means I'm doing a good job.

• His knowledge of Hungarian: I speak it badly, unfortunately, although I'm very interested in languages. But I don't need it, because in Szeged everything is done in English among us players.

• His club: The move to Szeged was a huge step - and then we became champions in 2022 at the last second thanks to the away goals rule. I feel very comfortable at the club and am grateful that I can play at this top level. My dream would be to play in the Champions League Final Four one day.

• The advantages of today's opponent: A physically big, strong team that plays very good and well-considered handball with its strong circle runners. They have a great system, with coach Rodriguez going in the Spanish direction - and specific processes at the back and front. But that's exactly why you can prepare well for it.

• the frenetic "Magyar" supporters: There will be a lot of Hungarian fans there. They are loud, but actually very fair. Even in Szeged, the hall is packed with around 8500 people for top matches. A crowd like that is simply awesome.

• The goals and dreams at this World Cup: We're not favorites in any of the games in the main round, but we want to win every one. Of course, the quarter-finals are on our minds. That's our big dream. We've come here to fight for it.

• The strength of the ÖHB team: We're very patient, we've found a good tool with the 7:6 overpayment game due to the loss of important left-handers. We also have an incredible team spirit. Everyone fights for each other until the end.