Gernot Trauner has been active at the highest level for twelve years, but the defender has never won a major prize. Mid-March, Feyenoord is fighting for the prizes on three fronts and the Austrian feels that too.
“I would love to expand my resume with an award,” he begins in conversation with ELFfootball when it comes to Feyenoord’s title chances. “I am satisfied with the season. Certainly. The results are good. Before the winter break we took the lead and we have defended it very well so far. Winning a prize with Feyenoord is my goal this season. I’ve been a professional football player for twelve years now, but I’ve never won a prize. My trophy cabinet is still completely empty.”
Feyenoord is still participating in the battle for the Europa League, among other things. On April 13 and 20, the team from Rotterdam will compete against AS Roma ”We always have a chance. It’s been tough weeks, with the double races, but I’m happy to do that. The fact that we won our group is a highlight for me.”
After party at De Skihut
After the home game won against Lazio, Feyenoord managed to finish at the top of the group. The party was celebrated exuberantly afterwards in De Kuip, but it also went on well into the night in the city. That night everything came together. A very emotional moment for me and for the club. I enjoyed celebrating with the supporters, but I hadn’t taken mobile phones into account. The next day I saw the images again. I should have done it smarter, but the most important thing of all is that we were all back together three days later.”
International for Austria
Last week it was announced that the national coach of Austria, Ralf Rangnick, has selected Trauner for the European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan. The defender himself hopes to be able to make minutes for his home country again, but his bigger dream is to experience his first final tournament at the 2024 European Championship. It depends on whether the national coach opts for a system with three or four defenders. I probably dropped out for the 2021 European Championship because at Feyenoord we play with four defenders and Austria normally with three. To experience the European Championship in 2024 would really be a dream. I’ve never played in a final tournament. I will do everything I can to be there.”
Future
Trauner is convinced that he wants to stay in football in the future, but he has yet to determine exactly which position. After all, he still has a few years to go. ”I really like it here. I was very disappointed that I had to miss a few months because of a knee injury, but now I want to go to the end full of energy again. I am sometimes asked what I want to do after my playing career. I want to stay active in football. But what and how, I think it’s way too early for that. I’m thirty. Hopefully I can last a few more years and anything can happen in that period. I mainly focus on now. To win a prize with Feyenoord!”
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