Entrup: “This is a unique opportunity”

“I haven’t really understood it yet,” said Maximilian Entrup, the second debutant in Austria’s national soccer team alongside LASK goalkeeper Tobias Lawal, when he checked into the ÖFB quarters in a Vienna city center hotel yesterday. A few months ago, the Hartberg striker was still far from team honors.

As of 2017, the stations were called St. Pölten, Lafnitz and Traiskirchen. During this time, Entrup struggled with bone marrow edema in his ankle for two years. Only an operation brought relief. “I knew that I could do more than play in the regional league. I never stopped believing in myself, I know what I can do and where the goal is.” At Marchfeld he impressed himself last season with 31 goals in 37 games for Hartberg – now he leads the Bundesliga top scorers list.

Entrup considers the appearances in the regional league to be important for his development. “I was able to play freely.” This also applies to his commitment to Rapid. The Hütteldorfers brought him in in 2016, and hostility soon began because of his past with an Austria fan club, which is why he had to put up with hefty banners and even a firecracker being thrown. “That’s over and done with, I’m concentrating on the present and the future.”

“I have to enjoy this”

The 26-year-old is looking forward to the coming days. “I’m trying to take a lot with me and learn. This is a unique opportunity. I have to enjoy it and stay grounded, but I didn’t come here to be the 24th player in the squad.”

If Entrup performs well in the final European Championship qualifier on Thursday in Estonia and in the test in Vienna against Germany the following Tuesday, a place in the European Championship squad is possible. “I don’t think about that. The players who played in the qualifying deserve to be at the European Championships,” said Entrup. “If I keep scoring goals, maybe it will be something.”