Handball team goalie Constantin Möstl before the World Cup: “Then we can dream”

“Of course you get used to it, which means you can better assess your performance.” And of course the demands you place on yourself have increased. “You want to stay there and play consistently.”

The Viennese has a lot planned for the World Cup, although he adds: “It will be very difficult because the starting position is different now. At the European Championships I was able to show that some people already know me. I want to do my best to ensure that we succeed and create hype again. As a goalkeeper I have an important role and I also like to be a positive crazy person, which is what people like to see.”

New role

That’s his role because the goalkeeper should always be a support. “I’m no longer an HLA player, a little wuzzi or a talent, now I’m in a league where I have to take responsibility.”

Based on last year’s performance alone, Möstl’s standing in the national team has changed significantly. “But also at the club. It always depends on the performance. Everyone now expects that they can rely on me. That doesn’t mean that I have to make countless saves every time, but rather that I should perform consistently.”

With the increased pressure, Möstl’s approach to the World Cup does not change. “I don’t go into the tournament any differently, I’m still a normal person who can play well in goal. The situation is a little different now because I’m a veteran goalkeeper. But if I don’t perform, the next one will come.”

Möstl sets high goals and believes in the team. “We have to win at the start against Kuwait and get into the main round, that’s almost mandatory. As I see it, we should be able to do it.” Optimistic conclusion: “If we get into a flow, we can maybe dream of the quarter-finals. But everything step by step.”