Van der Bellen in conversation

“This team can inspire the whole country!”

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen is a big fan of the Austrian national soccer team.(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

The whole country is eagerly awaiting the European Football Championship in Germany. Naturally, Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen is too. Our head of state chatted to the "Krone" newspaper about his anticipation of the EURO and the unifying effect of the spectacle in our neighboring country Germany.

"Krone": Mr. President, generally speaking, what is your relationship with soccer?
Alexander Van der Bellen: I'm a big fan and enjoy watching games - unfortunately I rarely make it to the stadium.

How much are you looking forward to the European Championships and what can we expect from our national team in sporting terms?
I know, France, the Netherlands, Poland - there's a lot of talk about chances and strong opponents. But I've been following our national team's games so far with interest and I have to say: it's already been a decent performance! They've shown in qualifying and preparation matches that Austria can hold their own against any team. I wish them the same fighting spirit that we saw in the qualifiers in the first games.

Van der Bellen in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Ideally, how important can such a tournament be for the collective enthusiasm for the atmosphere, for living together in the country?
Major sporting events unite and bring together the most diverse people who would otherwise probably never come together. That's what makes them unique! That doesn't just apply to us in Austria, but in this case also to us as a European community. When people all over the continent gather in front of the screens at the same time for public viewing and share in the excitement, celebration and joy, it becomes clear that the EURO is not just a tournament. Every time, it is also an opportunity to celebrate what Europe is all about: our diversity, our freedom and our team spirit. I think that's really important, especially in times when people like to emphasize what divides us. Soccer unites across all borders, as they say. Ideally, we should all let ourselves be carried away by this in the coming weeks.

Austria's national team all dressed up on the pitch at Heldenplatz in Vienna(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Do you have any favorite players?
We have so many good players that I don't want to single out just one. Our team plays with so much passion and skill that it inspires the whole country. Even many people who otherwise have little enthusiasm for soccer are suddenly rooting for us.

Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the farewell ceremony for the ÖFB players(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Will you be at a match in the stadium?
Unfortunately, my busy schedule doesn't allow it at the moment. But if we progress, the schedule will simply be rearranged - that much is clear. Anyway, my fingers are crossed! And not just mine.