Marcus Weber from Garmisch-Partenkirchen has received an invitation to the Germany Cup because of his strong performances with the Nuremberg Ice Tigers.
At the meeting of the national team, there was also a reunion with an old companion.
Krefeld –
Bavarian Derby in the DEL, the EHC Red Bull Munich against the Nuremberg Ice Tigers.
National ice hockey coach Toni Söderholm could not be missing from the stands.
After a gripping game, which the outsider from Nuremberg won 4:3 after a penalty shoot-out against the leader of the table, Söderholm made his way into the cabin and spoke to one or the other player.
Of course, various of his national players romped around on the ice beforehand.
The former SC Riessersee coach also addressed a few words to Marcus Weber.
"He had already indicated that I had chances and should continue like this," says Weber.
Said and done.
The Garmisch-Partenkirchner continued to impress in the dress of the Ice Tigers and ultimately Söderholm.
The reward: an invitation to the Germany Cup.
Thursday against Denmark
Now Weber will be allowed to wear the jersey with the eagle on the chest from tomorrow, Thursday to Sunday.
In Krefeld, the DEB selection meets Denmark on Thursday, Austria on Saturday and Slovakia on Sunday.
Even if Weber could already count on his nomination given Söderholm's words in Munich, he didn't really have the Germany Cup on his radar.
"Especially in the months of October and November you play like that, you hardly think about anything else." When the message from the DEB team manager popped up on his cell phone, the memory was there again and the grin was wide.
"I was really happy about the invitation.
It's an honor to play for Germany."
Maximilian Kastner is missing from the DEB squad
Weber traveled to Krefeld on Tuesday.
Just arrived, he went straight to lunch with his national team colleagues, then the first meeting was scheduled before training began in the afternoon.
Weber would have liked to have welcomed his buddy from Garmisch-Partenkirchen there, Maximilian Kastner.
But he was not called up by Söderholm in the Germany Cup squad.
"It's a shame, I was hoping to play with him again." But Weber has an idea as to why he won't see Kastner again until the next duel with the EHC.
“Probably because Munich is still challenged in the Champions League.
I think that's why so few from Munich were nominated.” With Justin Schütz, Andreas Eder and Frederik Tiffels, the national coach only invited three EHC cracks to Krefeld.
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Back in the national team: Marcus Weber has convinced national coach Toni Söderholm.
© IMAGO/ActionPictures
Once together at SC Riessersee
In return, Weber saw someone else whom he had met shortly before against Düsseldorfer EG and with whom he had already worn the SCR jersey.
We're talking about Luca Zitterbart.
"That's really funny.
During the game against each other, we already talked about the fact that it would be cool if we formed a pair of defenders together again.” That was the case in the 2020/21 season.
At that time, Weber had returned home for a few games because the DEL started the season later due to the corona pandemic.
At the same time, Zitterbart ran for the white-blue as a promotional license player of the EHC.
It remains to be seen whether both will be on the ice together in the DEB selection.
The players do not yet know which series combinations Söderholm prefers.
Weber expects
that the ice ages will be limited because a 28-man squad was nominated.
“The season is long and tough.
Other players can rest completely.”
Playing style of the DEB team is good for Weber
But the 30-year-old is happy that he doesn't have to watch from the sofa at home this time.
This fate overtook him at the World Cup in May when he injured himself shortly before the start of the tournament.
"Now we just have to hold our knees, but let's not shout it out." Because Weber is looking forward to ice hockey with the national team, that's more good for him than in the DEL.
"Internationally, people simply play more straightforwardly, play faster and harder.
This style suits me even better.”
