Diego Kostner: A Swiss watch in the spirit of the World Cup

In the two test matches against Austria, Diego Kostner impressed across the board. He was able to score points not only with the spectators in Neumarkt, but especially with the coach and his teammates. Physical robustness, game overview and his powerful start have made the Val Gardena striker mature into one of the top performers in the “Blue Team”. “It is a great honor for me to put on the azure jersey. This team can really achieve great things, we just have to work with great concentration and not lose sight of the goal of promotion to Group A.”

In an upward trend Diego Kostner is only 20 years old, but the young Ladin native certainly doesn't lack experience. Like Swiss clockwork, he worked his way up step by step. “In Lugano I improved my mobility and overview of the game. Now I can read individual situations on the ice earlier and better.” This is one of the reasons why people in Ticino rely heavily on the South Tyrolean. In 57 championship games in Switzerland's top league, he collected 6 goals and 8 assists. “The standard is incredibly high, which also helps you progress enormously as a player. With Brett McLean at my side as center, I was able to develop very well. In general, I don't want to trade places with anyone in the world at the moment. The Resega (Lugano's home ground, editor's note) and our fans are really awesome. Playing ice hockey here is a lot of fun.”

Vacation falls through By taking part in the World Cup, Kostner has to forgo a large part of his already limited vacation time. HC Lugano gave him a month's break after the end of the playoffs before preparation for the new season began. “I'm happy to accept the lack of vacation, especially since I really enjoy it here. “I also want to enjoy my time on the ice, because after the World Cup the program will only include dry training until the beginning of August,” explains Kostner.

Now his focus is entirely on the title fights in Budapest. However, it is not yet clear in which attack line he will be used. In the last test against Austria, Kostner played in the fourth block, but in the past he harmonized best alongside Nicola Fontanive. “For me it is secondary which line I am deployed in. The only important thing is that I manage to push myself to the limit of my performance and ultimately achieve the goals we have set with the team.” Kostner is alluding to promotion to the world group. After he made his breakthrough in Lugano and his contract was even extended until 2016, Kostner now wants to cause a sensation in the jersey of the Italian national team.

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Diego Kostner: A Swiss watch in the spirit of the World Cup

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