HC Linz: Missed seven-meter cost chance for first title in 26 years

Lucijan Fizuleto was able to put HC Linz AG in a decisive shootout against Hard in the Supercup with a penalty shot after the end of the season. But the playmaker forgave and the game went to the guests from Lake Constance with a score of 26:25.

HC Linz coach Milan Vunjak had curbed expectations beforehand after the squad change in the summer. Although the runner-up missed the first title win in 26 years against the cup winner in Linz-Kleinmünchen, the performance against the league Croesus was on par.

The aforementioned change was already evident in the starting line-up for the home side, which included four newcomers in goalkeeper Florian Kaiper, Nicolas Paulnsteiner, Arnad Hamzic and Jadranko Stojanovic. There were also homegrown players Silas Wiesinger on the right wing and Mislav Grgic, who later came on as a substitute and was the best thrower in Linz with eight goals.

Strong Kaiper debut

Markus Bokesch and the Hermann twins Max and Alex, who had ended their careers, were officially bid farewell before the throw-in. The trio saw their former team start the game well and lead 5-3 after nine minutes. The Vorarlberg guests, who called up ex-Linzer Dejan Babic, stayed tuned, followed by an open exchange of blows, in which Kaiper introduced himself with strong saves. Much to the delight of team boss Ales Pajovic, who was in the audience. “We did really well, but it sucks to lose a game with just one goal. It was a really cool first game,” said Kaiper.

The performance is encouraging for the championship that starts in a week, the Linzer start with promoted Hollabrunn.

Before the men’s Supercup, the women’s was played in Linz, which Hypo Niederösterreich secured with 33:19 against Atzgersdorf.