"I've become a fan"

Kogler sends handball women off on their home European Championship mission

Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler with Austria's handball women(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler (Greens) sent Austria's handball women off on their home European Championship mission with his best wishes on Thursday. "Enjoy this 'once in a lifetime' moment", emphasized Kogler in his own house exactly one week before the first European Championship appearance of Red-White-Red in Innsbruck against Slovakia.

For Kogler, who saw off an ÖHB team heading to the finals for the first time in January 2020, the ceremony has become something of a habit. "I've become a fan in the strictest sense of the word," he said, summing up his five years in office. In 2020, they finished eighth at their home European Championships, their best result to date, and the women now want to cause a sensation too. "We have to believe in ourselves as a team," emphasized goalkeeper and captain Petra Blazek.

Team manager Monique Tijsterman (left), Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler and Petra Blazek (right)(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

On Sunday (3.15 pm/live ORF Sport +) the team will face Germany in the final test in Innsbruck.

Slovakia, defending champions Norway and Slovenia will be their opponents at the European Championships in the Tyrolean capital from November 28. Advancement and at least second place are the clear goals. They would then go on to play in the main round in the Wiener Stadthalle.