Roger Bader: "We want to show our identity on the ice"

POWERPLAY: Looking back: in May, the ÖEHV men's team retained its top-division status at a World Championship in Switzerland for the fifth consecutive time. With a little distance, what is your assessment?

Roger Bader: Overall, it was a very successful World Championship – the second-best of the past 20 years. It was also a wonderful sight to see us top of the table with nine points after three games, ahead of Switzerland and Finland. Unfortunately, we did not manage to secure a fourth win afterwards, so we were unable to reach the quarter-finals this time. Nevertheless, we can be very satisfied with what we achieved.

Such a successful World Championship is only possible with strong cohesion within the team. What distinguishes the current team?

Bader: Since our return to the top-division World Championship in 2022, something has developed. A decisive moment came in 2023, when we were only able to secure our top-division status in Tampere in a shoot-out in the decisive game. Afterwards, we drew our conclusions, fine-tuned several things and, at each of the past three World Championships, had the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals in the final group game – a tremendous achievement.

Overall, it can be said that the team has continued to develop year after year.

How is this development reflected in the style of play?

Bader: I believe we now play with a good balance between forechecking and a neutral-zone trap. We also want to play fast hockey. We can keep possession of the puck, but the ultimate aim is to transition quickly. We have developed this style over many years and are trying to succeed with it. It makes no difference whether we are playing Canada or Great Britain. We always want to show our own identity on the ice.

The recent successes have certainly also been helped by young players such as Gregor Biber, Leon Kolarik and David Reinbacher. How do you view their development?

Bader: To answer that question, I need to go back a little: we currently have three age groups in the national team. First, there is the 1996/1997 generation, which I already coached at youth level and which has provided important pillars for the team for years. There are also some experienced players who are still young at heart, such as captain Peter Schneider and Clemens Unterweger, who provide the team with leadership through their experience.

And, of course, the "young talents" you have just mentioned. They decided early on to take the step abroad, which I see as very positive. There, they play in better leagues and face more competition, which has prompted an enormous step forward in their development. It also gives the lads' personal development a huge boost when they have to become independent away from home. All of this has made the players better, and we benefit from that as a national team.

Now you and the team head to Düsseldorf, where the Deutschland-Cup takes place from 5. to 8. November. What are your expectations for this tournament?

Bader: The national team currently has two international breaks during the season. The first is in November with the Deutschland-Cup, for which I make sure that the squad is as similar as possible to the World Championship squad. We then play in Oslo in February. There, I try to invite some challengers and young players with potential to see who can put themselves forward for the immediate World Championship preparation. Accordingly, my aim for the upcoming Deutschland-Cup is for all national-team players playing in Europe to be involved and for us to go there full of confidence. Latvia, Slovakia and Germany are three nations waiting for us that are ranked above us. Nevertheless, we want to get a win there, ideally even two or three.

The bigger tournament in Germany will naturally take place in May, when we face hosts Germany, Finland, Ukraine, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland and Latvia in the World Championship group stage in Mannheim. How do you assess the group?

Bader: I think the group is comparable to the one at the World Championship in Switzerland. We can assume that hosts Germany will field a strong squad. I expect nothing different from Switzerland either. We have generally performed well against Sweden, Finland and Latvia. But first, we need to beat Slovenia and Ukraine.

You have already touched on it. But what is the specific objective for the upcoming World Championship?

Bader: Not much changes: we need to get six points as quickly as possible. Then you are safe from relegation and can plan properly. Until we have reached that mark, we will not talk about anything else. After that, it is a case of taking things game by game and continually adjusting our objectives, such as securing a third win. With three wins before the final game, you have earned yourself a decider. Should we find ourselves in that situation, we naturally want to reach the top eight, but we will only address that when the time comes.

You can find this and many more exciting articles in the current issue of POWERPLAY – the official magazine of the ÖEHV. Available in shops now.