Austria is ready to host Slovakia, Italy and Belgium on the next stage of the EMF Nations Games 2019, which will be held between 6-7th of July in Graz. We caught up with the coach of the Austrian National Team, Edin Hasanovic, and asked him some questions about the upcoming event.
– What remained in your memory about the last EMF Euro in Kyiv?
– It is an indescribable feeling of being at such a big Event and representing an entire Nation!
– What conclusions did you come to after everything was over?
– Minifootball at such events is much faster and more combat-oriented than we’re used to here! It’s hard to give tactical instructions. If we want to achieve a good position at the Nation Games or the Euro, then we have to learn how to master our opponents.
– Did you have the idea not to continue on the basis of the results?
– Yes of course, I played with the thought of whether it is better to stop, because even though the performances fit and we lost the points because of our naivety and nervousness. I was very disappointed with the results! But I had a plan from the beginning and I was clear that we will not provide headlines at the EURO in Kyiv! The Plan was to build up a team over 2 years, which will then reach a good position at the EMF EURO 2020 and we will be able to qualify with a bit of luck for the World Cup 2021!
– Many players from the previous squads are no longer present in the national team. What’s the reason?
– We have a lot of good players in Austria that I also want to test and I want to increase the competition in the team, because everyone should know that no ones place is guaranteed and everyone is replaceable, if somebody does not have 100% desire to play for the Austrian national team, then we will bring someone in who has!!
– What are your expectations of the Nations Games?
– Fight, heart, discipline and then win the Nation Games!
– What is the path to Euro 2020?
– After the Nation Games, I will continue scouting for the winter training camp ahead of the EUROs. It will consist of the old squad from Euro 2018, the current squad, and players we find during the winter break!
– Mostly you have players from Graz and Vienna. Is there a specific reason for that?
– I don’t have a specific pattern, but the biggest leagues are in Vienna and Graz, there is also a lot of potentials! I had also selected players from Salzburg and Tirol, but they couldn’t attend for a number of reasons!
– Describe the type of players who you want to see in your team?
– All, who will burn themselves to show me that they want to be a part of the Austrian national team, and make history!
– How do you think Austria will do at the Nations Games, especially taking into consideration that you have a home advantage?
– If all the players give 100% and many spectators come to support us, then we will be first for sure!!!
The schedule of the EMF Nations Games in Graz, Austria:
