Viennese in the thick of it

On course for the title! Behounek in Holland before the coronation

Raffael Behounek (right) is right in the championship race with Tilburg.(Bild: ZVG)

Defender Raffael Behounek is still on course for the Dutch 1st division title with leaders Willem II Tilburg in the hot season finale. The Viennese is a mainstay in defense and also the club's figurehead off the pitch. 

He attracts everyone's attention right outside the stadium entrance, with Raffael Behounek prominently displayed on a huge poster as the club's figurehead. "I'm really held in high esteem here, I enjoy a high standing in the team and with the fans," says the 27-year-old Viennese.

The Viennese has also defended for Mattersburg, Innsbruck and Horn.(Bild: ZVG)

"Anything else now would be a pure disappointment"
The defender has been riding a wave of success with Willem II Tilburg (Hol) for weeks, has been unbeaten in six games and leads the 2nd division with 73 points and a six-point lead over a relegation place with four match days to go. In his first stint abroad, Behounek (who joined from WSG Tirol in the summer) could now make the leap to the Eredivisie. "We have a great mix of young and older players, can play very well for results and score goals at the ideal time. We want to get promoted at all costs. Anything else would be a pure disappointment for us. The title would of course crown the season once again."

Hopes are high that after relegation in 2022, they will be able to compete against teams like Ajax Amsterdam or PSV Eindhoven again from the summer. "You can tell in the city that there is a lot at stake and that the decisive weeks are coming up. The fans are crazy about soccer, every home game is sold out with almost 15,000 spectators. That drives everyone forward, so you want to give something back for the support."

In his free time, Raffael, who has already established himself as a defensive boss and played for the former Ostliga club Stadlau until 2017, prefers to switch off with a bike tour through the city. MVV Maastricht await on Saturday away from home.