Men’s EuroHockey U21 Championship preview – Austria

Appearances: 7

Best performances: 6th (2014, 2017)

Austria are competing in the top tier for the fifth time in the last six editions having won their way back via a gold medal from Championship II-A in Walcz in 2024.

They do so with head coach Benjamin Stanzl looking to inspire the side and impart some of his knowledge picked up across Indoor World Cup and EHL winning sides.

He has selected a group led by captain Jakob Bauer, one of the most experienced players in the squad with 11 Under-21 caps and recent senior international experience.

Bauer is joined by several players who have already broken into Austria’s men’s national team, giving the young side an unusually seasoned core.

A key strength of this Austrian squad is the number of players already competing at a high level abroad. Julian Kaiser plays for Dutch club Oranje Rood and has earned both Under-21 and senior international recognition, while Jonas Anhaus plays with SV Kampong in the Netherlands after helping the club win the Dutch U18 championship.

** 24 EuroHockey U21 Championship matches from Pitch 1 in Valencia will be broadcast live on www.eurohockeytv.org with an €8.99 event pass (Click the graphic for more information)

Maximilian Meisel brings Bundesliga experience from Germany having spent two seasons with UHC Hamburg before returning to HC Wien, while Moritz Zotter and Arthur Kucera have also gained valuable experience in German hockey.

Austria’s midfield and attacking unit contains several proven performers. Kaiser enters the tournament with seven Under-21 international goals, while Maximilian Meisel has scored five.

Adrian Fink, another senior international, adds attacking threat after helping AHTC win the Austrian indoor title. The Red Capricorans will also look to players such as Florian Hagen and Oskar Rathkolb, who were part of the successful SV Arminen side crowned Austrian champions in June.

Of the newcomers, goalkeepers Magnus Brendel and Lorenz Breitenecker are among those making their debuts while defender Leopold Breitmeyer arrives after spending six months in Belgium with the Waterloo Ducks U18 programme. Moritz Geberth, Valentin Hagen and Fabian Steiner are additional fresh faces expected to gain valuable tournament experience.

Another one to watch is Benedikt Meisel. Still one of the youngest members of the group, the HC Wien player has already represented Austria at U18, U21 and senior level. His rapid rise mirrors Austria’s growing confidence in promoting young talent through the national programme.

Behind the team is an experienced management group. Stanzl is assisted by former England international Darren Cheesman – who led SV Arminen to the national title – and men’s senior coach Robin Rösch, providing a strong link between the programmes.

Number	Name	Caps	Goals	Goals
1	Magnus BRENDEL (GK)	0		HC Wien
3	Oskar RATHKOLB	6		SV Arminen
6	Arthur KUCERA	11		WAC
7	Moritz ZOTTER	0		SV Arminen
9	Florian HAGEN	6		SV Arminen
10	Valentin HAGEN	0		SV Arminen
13	Benedikt MEISEL	6	1	HC Wien
14	Julian KAISER	11	7	HC Oranje Rood (NL)
21	Jonas ANHAUS	0		HC Kampong (NL)
22	Maximilian MEISEL	11	5	HC Wien
24	Fabian STEINER	0		WAC
32	Lorenz BREITENECKER (GK)	4		Post SV
34	Anuga MUNAWEERA	6		HTHC (GER)
36	Adrian FINK	11	2	AHTC
37	Jakob BAUER (C)	11	1	WAC
42	Fabian BECKERING	6		MSC München (GER)
48	Leopold BREITMEYER	0		AHTC
66	Moritz GEBERTH	0		Post SV
	Elisabeth MEISEL	Team Manager
	Benjamin STANZL	Headcoach
	Darren CHEESMAN	Assistant Coach
	Robin RÖSCH	Assistant Coach
	Hanna BABINGER	Physiotherapist
	Emil SPERL	Video Technician