Ferlach boss Perkounig

Worried about Carinthia’s handball “pope”!

(Bild: Kuess)

Ferlach boss Walter Perkounig Jr. is suffering from cancer - his appeal to everyone: "Check yourselves!" In the quarter-finals, his boys were pipped by title favorites Hard.

Highly emotional and with his heart on his sleeve. That's how Walter Perkounig Jr. is usually seen at his Ferlach handball team's matches. As a former goalkeeper, he took over his father's position as chairman in 2015 and brought little Ferlach back into the first division - where they have been providing surprises time and again for eight years now.

I always thought I was indestructible. Now I realize how small I am - but I'm not hiding, I'm staying positive!

Walter PERKOUNIG, Obmann SC Ferlach

But now Carinthia's handball "pope" has to take a step back: Because he received the shock diagnosis of cancer - due to a malignant tumor in his lungs. Two serious operations followed, during which parts of his right lung had to be removed. "It was really tough. I had tubes as thick as my thumb stuck in me for three weeks."

Walter Perkounig wants to be seen cheering again soon.(Bild: Kuess Josef)

"You hardly recognize me"
The 56-year-old has now completed two of his four chemotherapy treatments - and despite everything, he is lucky. "The doctors discovered everything during a health check-up - I do them regularly, everyone should! If I had come later, it would have meant the end for me." How is he doing? "I don't feel healthy. I've lost ten kilos, you can hardly recognize me. But I'm surviving - and that's the positive thing!"

Nico Sager (left) and Ferlach face Hard in the quarter-finals.(Bild: Bernd Stefan)

Hard picked Ferlach
His boys also want to stay positive on the court - even though it is now certain that they will face top favorites Hard in the quarter-finals. The winners of the basic round "picked" Ferlach. "The strongest team in the league. We have nothing to lose," says Perkounig.

 The game starts on April 26 (19:30, live on krone.tv), the first home game is on April 30 - with Perkounig in the stands. "I certainly won't miss out on that!"

FOURTH FINAL (series "Best of three"): 1st game, April 26: Hard - Kelag Ferlach (19.30). Game 2, April 30: Kelag Ferlach - Hard (18:30, both live on krone.tv). If necessary: game three on May 4. Further pairings: Schwaz - Linz, Bruck/ Trofaiach - Margareten, Krems - Bregenz.