Christopher Olivier inspires in Bludenz: VfB talent in the friendly!

Christopher Olivier inspires in Bludenz: VfB talent in the friendly!

A Vorarlberg football talent at VfB Stuttgart: Christopher Olivier, who has been playing for the U21 team of the German Association since July 2022, has now fought for a permanent place in the team. In the training camp in Bludenz, the U21 team is preparing for the upcoming test game against SW Bregenz on July 16. Olivier, only 19 years old, is a sought -after player with the Stuttgarters and even trains with the professionals in the Bundesliga. "I am very happy to play in my home country in front of family and friends," he said enthusiastically. For SW Bregenz, the test game is the first serious endurance test in preparation, whereby the team is expected to go fit - even if the players report that they have "heavy legs".

Ralf Rangnick, team leader of the Austrian national team, recently pronounced a nomination that also benefits Olivier. Two Vorarlbergers, including Olivier, were nominated for the second ÖFB perspective course. In the period from July 30th to August 2, 26 field players and five goalkeepers, who represent years 2004 to 2007, meet at the Lindabrunn sports school. The course is accompanied by U21 coach Werner Gregoritsch and other coaches of the men's and women's national teams. This is a premiere, because for the first time in the history of the association, all team bosses take part in such a course. The focus is on the viewing of top talents and the mediation of the national team philosophy.

promoting young people in Austrian football

Responsibility that talents such as Olivier are promoted is the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB). The association is investing strongly in young talent, with around 125,000 children and adolescents in over 2,240 clubs to be enthusiastic about football. The focus is on fun and promotion, not the pressure to perform or win. "We want to inspire children for football at an early stage and convey joy in the game," the ÖFB describes its mission. This is done by local associations, state training centers and academies that are supposed to prepare talented Youngsters.

An integrative approach is also part of the concept:, regardless of their origin and religion, young people to offer a common sporting basis, promotes social integration. With projects such as Project12 that offers individual support for talents, as well as cooperation with schools, the ÖFB creates an interface between sport and education. The infrastructure is also constantly improved to guarantee talented players optimal framework conditions.

This shows that Austrian football will rely on promising young players like Christopher Olivier in the coming years, who are nominated for the U21 and the national team for good reason. The connection between talents and corresponding support structures will be crucial for the future success of Austrian football.

For more details about Christopher Oliviers training at VfB Stuttgart, please visit Krone

Information on the nomination for the ÖFB perspective course can be found on VN

and more about the youth work in Austrian football will be found on [Austrian Soccer Board] (https://www.austriansoccerboard.at/blogs/entry/71- afternoon work-und-f%C3%B6rderung-ims.