2025-02-09, 11:33 PM - Word count:
ATHENS (AP) -- After the conclusion of the S19 draft, Austrian central defender Valentin Morgenstern is finally ready to make his training camp debut with his club's minor league affiliate, Athenai FC. Commenting on his new football home, Morgenstern said "It's a lot different from Austria. A lot warmer, which I can't say I don't mind too much at all, but there's that sense of belonging that home has that I don't think you can ever really get anywhere else when you leave. Not that I'm really too welcome in Austrian football right now anyway, but..."
On the Greek pitch, Morgenstern was notably faster than we had seen him during his time in both the World Simulation Football Classic for the Alpine Federation and in the Academy with Stockholm IK. He told us that his pacing has been one of the primary things he's focused on in camp, and the effort put into that definitely shows.
Regarding the WSFC, Valentin stated that he was "disappointed" with the Alps' results in the quarterfinal. "Benelux went on to win the trophy, so that makes it all the more bitter. You have to think, 'if we had won that game, could it have been us raising the trophy?'"
There have also been rumors that former Stockholm teammate Aart de Trella and Morgenstern have had a falling out after a good stint in Stockholm together. We asked the Austrian for comment regarding these rumors, but all that we were told was "De Trella is a former teammate and I'd rather not focus on the past right now." Given recent comments and other news between the players after the draft, it seems as if the rumors do hold some truth and that the former Stockholmers have indeed had a falling out.
Who will prove themselves the superior central defender? Aart de Trella seems to be the frontrunner, especially with his recent WSFC win with Benelux. Morgenstern, however, still could prove himself as great, if not better, of a player as de Trella, given that the monstrously tall Dutchman is a bit older than the younger Austrian.
On the Greek pitch, Morgenstern was notably faster than we had seen him during his time in both the World Simulation Football Classic for the Alpine Federation and in the Academy with Stockholm IK. He told us that his pacing has been one of the primary things he's focused on in camp, and the effort put into that definitely shows.
Regarding the WSFC, Valentin stated that he was "disappointed" with the Alps' results in the quarterfinal. "Benelux went on to win the trophy, so that makes it all the more bitter. You have to think, 'if we had won that game, could it have been us raising the trophy?'"
There have also been rumors that former Stockholm teammate Aart de Trella and Morgenstern have had a falling out after a good stint in Stockholm together. We asked the Austrian for comment regarding these rumors, but all that we were told was "De Trella is a former teammate and I'd rather not focus on the past right now." Given recent comments and other news between the players after the draft, it seems as if the rumors do hold some truth and that the former Stockholmers have indeed had a falling out.
Who will prove themselves the superior central defender? Aart de Trella seems to be the frontrunner, especially with his recent WSFC win with Benelux. Morgenstern, however, still could prove himself as great, if not better, of a player as de Trella, given that the monstrously tall Dutchman is a bit older than the younger Austrian.
