Jakob Pöltl’s World Cup advice for the ÖFB team at the World Cup

The center has been the for two weeks Toronto Raptors in Vienna to switch off and gather strength for the tasks ahead. “Enjoying your free time, winding down after a long season,” is how the 30-year-old describes his first days in Austria at a press event on Thursday. But he’s been back in training for a week now.

Pöltl is generally satisfied with how his Raptors have gone this season, even if more would have been possible in the first play-off round against Cleveland. “We presented ourselves well. Many young players had their first play-off experience. But of course, when you reach game seven, there was definitely more possible,” said the Viennese.

Now we will analyze which mistakes were made and how we can improve. The development of the young team in particular makes him optimistic. “We have a young team and some players will develop further. Even if we don’t change anything, we will improve through experience,” says Pöltl.

That’s why he’s following the discussions about possible transfers calmly. “I don’t think much about the trades. We’ve done a good job in the last few years to put together a good team.” The focus in the coming months will be on your own physical condition. The back in particular, which has always bothered him in the past, is now the focus.

The plan for the summer

A detailed summer plan was developed together with the Raptors coaches. “I decided to take out certain things and specifically strengthen my back,” explains Pöltl. The goal is to “start the season as physically strong as possible.” What makes him positive is that the symptoms got better towards the end of the season. “I’ve managed well. It’s now a matter of keeping it that way.”

However, it is still unclear whether he will be able to play for the national team in the summer. “I would like to play, but I have to see how my back goes.”

Side view of the World Cup

The joy of that Football World Cup he gets a lot more out of it in Austria than in the co-host country You have. “It can give a boost if a host team goes far,” says Pöltl. Nevertheless, he sees the importance of football in North America in a differentiated way: “I don’t think that football will be able to compete with the other major sports after the World Cup.” Austria he is confident of a lot. “From what I learned from the qualification, something is possible. It’s basically a tougher group, but they have what it takes to get promoted.”

What is crucial is “mental strength and the ability to stay true to your own line in pressure situations and not try anything new,” is his recipe. However, a little luck is always part of it.

His world champion tip is prominent: “Austria? Okay, then France.”