The attacker won the election with 14 points ahead of her ÖFB teammates Sarah Zadrazil and Eileen Campbell (eleven each). “It’s the biggest thing I’ve won as an individual so far. I’m really happy,” said Hickelsberger-Füller. She won with the lowest number of winner points of the previous elections, the decision was more even than ever.
Nine players were named first by the decision-makers, only Zadrazil was named twice. Hickelsberger-Füller, who was sixth in 2019 and fourth in 2020 and had to pause at the end of the season due to a muscle injury that has now healed, only had Christian Lang at the front. “She put in a strong performance abroad and was particularly present in the national team,” said Lang, explaining his choice.
From St. Pölten to Hoffenheim
The attacker once again won the national double with St. Pölten and then switched to the German Bundesliga. There she scored four times in ten competitive games for the Bundesliga fifth – twice each in the league and cup. “What sets her apart is her speed, that’s a topic that is very noticeable, but also her physical presence, that she never spares herself in a duel and that’s really an added value for us,” said former Hoffenheim coach Gabor Gallai , who was released on Tuesday. There is still plenty of potential for development. “Especially when it comes to scoring a goal, she can definitely improve, and her left foot can still be improved,” said the 43-year-old.
Hickelsberger-Füller sees it the same way and mentioned these two points in “a few areas that I can still improve”. The change to one of the top European leagues was good for her, not only because of the games, but also because of the higher quality of training. Especially when it comes to playing with the ball, the transfer “brought her a lot”.
ÖFB premiere and injury
The offensive player made her debut on February 27, 2019 in the ÖFB team in the 4-1 win against Nigeria in the Cyprus Cup. She scored her debut goal in a 3-0 win against North Macedonia in the European Championship qualifier on September 3, 2019. The next milestone followed a little later with a four-pack in the 9-0 win over Kazakhstan. Speed was already one of their trademarks back then.
On September 22, 2020, however, there was a severe setback – a cruciate ligament rupture and associated injuries in the right knee in the 5-0 win in Kazakhstan. The healing process, like the rehab, did not go according to plan, and the comeback in the A-Team only followed about 17 months later.
Praise from the team leader
“I’m happy for Julia that she’s receiving the award this year, especially after her serious injury and her long journey back, it’s a great confirmation of her hard work in rehab and afterwards,” said ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann.
“Because of her speed, she’s difficult to defend, gives great assists and is a threat herself, even with set pieces. But she is also a very valuable player in the game against the ball thanks to her robustness and commitment,” the 42-year-old emphasized the advantages of Hickelsberger-Füller.
Their goalless streak of around three years ended with the goal in the 1-0 win in a friendly in Italy in autumn. At the end of the year against Slovakia she scored her seventh international goal in the 26th match. “It can go on like this,” said Hickelsberger-Füller.
All Austrian players of the domestic Bundesliga and ÖFB legionnaires abroad were up for election. The coaches or those responsible for sports were not allowed to choose any players currently working for their own club and gave a reason for choosing the first place.
Read Brancao (SKN St. Pölten):
1. Barbara Dunst (Eintracht Frankfurt): “She performed very well and consistently in the club and in the national team.”
2. Julia Hickelsberger-Füller (1899 Hoffenheim)
3. Laura Wienroither (Arsenal)
Christian Lang (SK Sturm Graz):
1. Hickelsberger-Füller: “She put in a strong performance abroad and was especially present in the national team.”
2. Eileen Campbell (SPG SCR Altach/FFC Vorderland)
3. Maria Plattner (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam)
Bernhard Summer (SPG SCR Altach/FFC Vorderland):
1. Sarah Zadrazil (FC Bayern Munich): She has been delivering top performances for many years, serves the team and is a team player.”
2. Laura Feiersinger (Eintracht Frankfurt)
3. Lisa Kolb (SC Freiburg)
Gerald Linshalm (USV Neulengbach):
1. Marina Georgieva (Paris Saint-Germain): “She fought for a regular place in the national team and also played a very strong Euro. The transfer to PSG rounded everything off.”
2. Linda Natter (SPG SCR Altach/FFC Vorderland)
3. Carina Wenninger (AS Roma)
Robert Haas (FC Austria Vienna):
1. Campbell: “She has developed well and is a very dangerous striker with good speed and depth.”
2. Nicole Billa (1899 Hoffenheim)
3. Chiara D’Angelo (USV Neulengbach)
Mark Dobrounig (Vienna):
1. Wienroither: “It can be used universally and has performed well and solidly over a long period of time.”
2. Hickelsberger filler
3. Annabel Schasching (SK Sturm Graz)
Walter Weiss (SPG Union Kleinmünchen/FC Blau-Weiss Linz):
1. Schasching: “She has made a great development and is already a leader at her young age.”
2. Campbell
3. Claudia Wenger (SKN St. Polten)
Mario Seidl (FC Bergheim):
1. Zadrazil: “She is a regular at Bayern Munich and the figurehead of the ÖFB women’s national team.”
2. Katja Wienerroither (Grasshoppers Zurich)
3. Julia Zangerl (SPG Union Kleinmünchen/FC Blau-Weiss Linz)
Kurt Hoffer (SV Altenmarkt):
1. Manuela Zinsberger (Arsenal): “She’s been performing very consistently for a long time and is a solid support in the national team and at Arsenal.”
2. Catherine Schiechtl (SV Werder Bremen)
3. Housing
Milivoj Vujanovic (FC Wacker Innsbruck):
1. Billa: “She has a very good nose for goals, as a player she is extremely important for Austria’s offensive.”
2. Hickelsberger filler
3. Zadrazil
