GRAZ,AUSTRIA,12.JUN.19 – VOLLEYBALL – CEV European Silver League, men, international match, Austria vs Hungary. Image shows Csanad David (HUN), Paul Buchegger (AUT) and Daniel Flachner (HUN). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Christian Walgram
Vienna, Austria. Austrian Volleyball star player Paul Buchegger has finally returned to competitive action after undergoing several knee surgeries. This year, Buchegger plays for Leo Shoes MODENA, the team coached by Volleyball legend Andrea Giani, which currently sits in seventh place in the elite Italian SuperLega and next week will complete their duties in Pool D of the CEV Champions League Volley 2021.
The 24-year-old from Upper Austria has made a short comeback in the national championship. “I am extremely happy to be able to play again. The past seven months have been very, very tough for me, but the time before that was not that easy either. Two years with three operations, this means that I did not play a lot,” says Buchegger.
He underwent his last surgery in Rome at the end of June 2020. “I gave full throttle in rehab. Two weeks ago, I was finally able to start 6-on-6 training in the second team. The following Saturday there was the first training with the first team and on Sunday I was already there for a match.”
Even if the opposite hitter is obviously happy with his comeback, he is of course not at 100 percent. “Above all, I have to find my way back into Volleyball. For me, it is practically the start of preparation, while the others are already in the middle of the season,” explains Buchegger. In any case, the knee feels good. “Every now and then it still tweaks because the load has now increased, but I think that the knee is really in good shape now and I am also fitter than ever.”
He is therefore very confident. “I am glad that Modena supports me so well, I am looking forward to the rest of the season and I hope that I can get a few more appearances.” Maybe the next one later today already in the SuperLega home game against Top Volley Cisterna!
