Linz gained self-confidence in the cup quarter-finals

HC Linz AG’s 32:29 (15:15) home win over former handball champion Krems on Saturday sent a clear message before the top four in the table picked their quarter-final opponent from fifth to eighth: HC Linz (6). Your life is difficult. Sporting director Klemens Kainmüller congratulated Sporting Director Klemens Kainmüller, saying: “The team, everyone, played really well. We were the better team.”

Although the usual suspects set the tone for the scorers’ list with Lucijan Vizuletto (ten goals) and Tobias Svetko (nine) at HC, David Zwickellhuber was named Man of the Match. The 21-year-old, actually the No. 2 in Linz’s goal behind Marcus Bogsch, became the match winner against Krems with 13 saves. “It was unbelievable, the boys played a great defense, everyone gave 120 percent,” the army athlete politely praised his teammates.

Hermann celebrated the return

On Saturday, those teammates finally included Max Hermann once again, who celebrated nearly seven months back after having surgery on his heel. “I was really nervous, you can probably tell,” the 30-year-old said with a smile after his first game in the yard of the completely renovated house at Linz Kleinmunchen. It was unusual to be absent for such a long period.

The captain’s return comes at a good time, with the Cup quarter-final being shown at home to Bregenz (7pm) on Wednesday, stylized as ‘match of the year’ within the club. If they make it to Final Four, the residents of Linz will apply to host it for the first time. “We want to get to the Final Four,” Zwickelhuber said. The third-placed player in the league from Vorarlberg is the favourite, but the young goalkeeper sees things a little differently: “They are my favorite opponents because I’ve played well against them before.” A strong goalkeeper performance may be needed to bring a surprise.