Flying visit to his Pinzgau home for Stefan Schwab: In the middle of the hot preparation phase for the league opener against Mattersburg on July 22, the 26-year-old from Saalfelden used the days without training and test matches for a short stay at home. For Schwab, who took over the SK Rapid Vienna captain's armband from Steffen Hofmann last Saturday, this was the perfect way to recharge his batteries after the last training camp in Windischgarsten: "It's always nice to come home to family and friends. It's very important to switch off and recharge your batteries. Enjoying nature, away from the big city, not just talking about soccer - that's good. Saalfelden Leogang is a place for me where I am rooted and which is very important to me because I spent my entire childhood here. My soccer career also started here at FC Pinzgau Saalfelden when I was six. I spent almost my entire childhood on the soccer pitch until I transferred at the age of 13." The 26-year-old midfielder has countless opportunities for active regeneration, especially at the idyllic Ritzensee lake in Saalfelden with its view of the Steinerne Meer:"The run around Lake Ritzensee and up to the lookout point was always my training run and is still a fixed point when I'm at home. I enjoy being out and about in the region. In summer, I can also be found on the beach volleyball court, hiking or mountain biking on the Biberg, while in winter I make the most of the wide range of skiing opportunities and love skiing in Leogang, for example."
A pure contrast to the hectic everyday life of soccer in the big city and after an exhausting and difficult season like the last one: "Last season was very instructive for all of us. Especially because I was often on the pitch as captain, I was able to take a lot with me for the next season," Schwab sums up. "Now we have one more week to really step on the gas in terms of training, then we start with the first cup match. We've come through the preparations well and I'm very optimistic. We have worked out new, realistic goals for the season and are going into the season in a positive mood. So we're confident that we'll get back on track this year."
"Doctors' World Cup underlines the international importance of soccer"
Soccer also played a major role on the training-free day outside of the league opener - after all, Schwab's home region of Saalfelden Leogang is currently hosting the Doctors' World Cup. Over 1000 doctors from 20 nations and five continents will be competing for the title until July 15: "An event like this underlines the international importance of soccer. It is sensational that so many doctors are coming together and playing a World Cup here in Saalfelden Leogang. A great appreciation for the region," says Schwab.
