Release from 17.05.2025

Ramón Schnetzer on his World Championship debut goal: “I was completely surprised”

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Pioneers Vorarlberg defender Ramón Schnetzer scored his first World Championship goal in Austria's 5:2 win against France - and even after the game he could hardly believe what he and the team had achieved. The victory against the French has secured the team's place in the World Cup, but the team has bigger goals. For the 28-year-old Schnetzer, who has already made 353 appearances in the domestic league and moved to Graz for the play-offs last season, the World Championship in Sweden is another highlight of his career.

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“I was completely surprised. I was really completely perplexed. I didn't know what had just happened,” said Ramón Schnetzer shortly after the game against France about his first World Cup goal. The 28-year-old defender from Pioneers Vorarlberg is currently playing his first World Cup games - a personal milestone that he says he owes above all to his “quasi father”. Officially, it's his uncle, but: “He was always my father. He's been a father figure my whole life,” says Schnetzer, visibly moved. “Without him, I would never be where I am now.” The fact that he witnessed his first World Cup goal live in the stadium makes the experience all the more meaningful for the Feldkirch native. Together with his sister, he forms the “official Schnetzer fan club” - “incredibly great” and emotionally significant for Schnetzer.

To stay in the Top Division was only an interim goal
The 5:2 victory over France secured Austria's place at this World Championship - but the team wants more. Schnetzer, who became win2day ICE Hockey League champion with the KAC in 2019, is confident: “We actually played very, very good hockey in all of our games and I think we can aim for more than just staying in the league. Staying in the league was always our first goal, and we've made that clear. But yes, anything beyond that is a plus - and I don't think we have any upper limit.” A place in the quarter-finals? “Yes, of course we dream,” says Schnetzer, but remains realistic: ”We go from game to game, as we always do, and just see how far we can get.”

ICE nation Slovenia is Austria's next opponent
On Sunday (16:20), bottom team Slovenia awaits in the penultimate group match. The ICE nation didn´t score a point so far and is on the brink of direct relegation. Schnetzer nevertheless warns against the opponents, who feature many familiar faces from the win2day ICE Hockey League: “We will prepare for Slovenia just as we would for any other opponent. Of course, we know many of the players from the ICE - it will certainly be an interesting duel.”