Ahead of the 9th edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup taking place in South Africa (1-12 April), we’re conducting a series of exclusive interviews with the participating teams. Today: Fiona Felber and Johanna Czech (AUT).
How do you feel at the prospect of playing a World Cup soon?
Johanna Czech: We’re very excited! It’s the first time for us at a Women’s Junior World Cup. So, it’s a pretty big thing for us! We’re looking forward to it!
Does it make it even more special that it will be the first participation of Austria in an FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup?
Fiona Felber: Yes, of course, it makes it really special for us and especially for our country since this is the first time in history for Austria. The whole team is really excited. Let’s see how it’s going there.
What can you tell us about your team?
Johanna Czech: We’re a pretty young and good team. The core of our team has played at European Championships and won Gold at the EuroHockey5s U16 Championship in 2017. Also, we’ve played at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games where we finished 6th in the overall rankings. So, I think it’s pretty cool and really encouraging.
What are your expectations as a team for this World Cup?
Fiona Felber: I really think that we don’t have any big expectations because we don’t know how our opponents are going to be, especially Korea, since I think none of us has ever played against this team. We all know that Argentina in our group is going to be a big opponent and that it will be very tough, but we’re just going to give 150% and we will be happy with our game.
Will it be your first time in South Africa?
Johanna Czech: Yes. I think the weather is going to be a little bit different. It’s going to be way more exhausting for us. I hope it’s not that hot there. It will be different from Austria a little bit, but we’ve got time to get used to it. And I hope we can play our best hockey.
How will you prepare until the start of the World Cup?
Fiona Felber: We recently had training camps in Spain with the squad. It was a good week to prepare ourselves, our team to be the best versions of ourselves for this tournament. Additionally, we will have some test matches in Germany next week. I think this will be a good preparation for us for the World Cup.
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