Slowly but surely, the Oberliga championship round turns onto the home straight. In the interview, Simon Maier talks about the Rosenheim games, mixed rows and his teammates.
Peiting - The EC Peiting had a lot of bad luck this season. Again and again players dropped out, again and again the rows were mixed. Forward Simon Maier can sing a song about it - from changing side men, but also from injuries. Of the 42 games in the main and championship rounds of the Oberliga Süd so far, the 33-year-old from Bad Bayersoien missed twelve because of a rib injury. He has been back for four games. In the interview, Maier, who became a father on Monday for the second time, talks about the Rosenheim games, mixed rows and his teammates.
On Friday a 1-7 defeat, on Sunday a 4-1 win against Rosenheim. How is that possible?
We did not play badly in Rosenheim in the first third and were still 0: 3 behind. Then we couldn't find our way back into the game. It was different at home. We weren't really on the ice in the first third. But then it worked out for us, we fought our way in, we were lucky and were rewarded. So it's not magic.
You have been playing in a row with Anton Saal since the end of January. How do you like his return?
I was very happy. But it was not an easy decision for him to start again at Peiting. He now has less time for the U7 he is training. And Bayersoien has to go to the promotion games without him now. But of course it's good for us.
Last season, the ECP had few injuries and the rows were well-rehearsed. This time the situation is different.
That's true. The ranks have changed many times. You have to be able to deal with this, injuries are part of it in sports. Well-established rows are better, a certain momentum develops. But we are on the right track again. Thank God the Toni (Anton Saal, editor's note) is back. He's good for me in the game - just like Dominic Krabbat, who plays in a row with us. And with whom I've been together on the ice in the past.
With Anton Saal and the defenders Andreas Feuerecker and Fabian Weyrich you were on the ice in a row in the successful past season.
I agree. Sure, Toni still needs a bit of time before he is back at his 100 percent. Anderl (captain Andreas Feuerecker, editor's note) and me, of course, do the same after our injuries.
Four players - including you - have already scored 19 goals this season. Is it a strength of EC peiting that many different players meet?
It was born out of necessity when players keep hurting themselves. But of course, in such situations, others come to the fore. Thomas Heger, for example, who plays a really good season. Or Lukas Gohlke, who last hit Rosenheim.
This Friday the EC Peiting has to go to Memmingen. So far, there hasn't been a win there this season.
Yes, it's always difficult there. Memmingen is well positioned. We have nothing to lose and hope we can take something with us.
What do you expect from Sunday's game at home against Lindau?
This is an important game, we want Lindau to stay behind. And you have it in your hand. Lindau has a strong team. But if we give 100 percent, we can and will win the game.
What do you suspect: What else is there for Peiting this season?
Every game is now a game of fate, we want to go as high as possible in the table so as not to meet Tilburg or Herne at the start of the play-offs. But even if it does - if everyone is fit again in time, we are as well positioned as last season. And then we are surely good for a surprise.
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The games against Rosenheim were very different. On Friday the EC Peiting was clearly defeated, on Sunday the Peitinger clearly won.
There was also a sense of achievement for EA Schongau at the derby against Peißenberg.
