In the upper play-off of the Regionalliga Salzburg, five clubs will be fighting for the last places in the Regionalliga West 2023/24 from Friday.
Bischofshofen and Saalfelden already have their tickets in their pockets following qualifying for the national play-off. The two Salzburg representatives will continue on Saturday once morest the Vorarlberg competition. After a weekend break, the upper play-off starts on Friday. What is fixed is that two clubs from the quintet Austria Salzburg (23 points), Grünau (18), St. Johann (16), Seekirchen and Kuchl (both 15) have secured a place in the Regionalliga West 2023/24. There are only other places if the champion of the Salzburg league decides not to get promoted or if a Salzburg club wins the national play-off.
Of course, the regional leagues are happy that the current leaders of the Salzburg table, Thalgau, will not accept a possible promotion.
St. Johann strikes in the Salzburg league
“Another place would of course be great. But we’re concentrating on our tasks and not looking at what’s going on around us,” emphasizes St. Johann’s coach Ernst Lottermoser, who challenges second-placed Grünau at home on Friday (7 p.m.). “A trend-setting match. If we lose, it will be difficult for us to catch up with the Walsers in the remaining seven rounds. But we are confident that we will celebrate a win at home,” says Lottermoser, who is already convinced of the first both summer newcomers can look forward to. Goalie Dominik Waltl comes from Schwarzach, attacker Philipp Illmer from the Salzburg league latecomer Altenmarkt.
First place is mandatory for Austria
While Kuchl is without a game at the start, leaders Austria Salzburg welcome Seekirchen at home on Saturday (16). After surprisingly missing out on the national play-offs, the violets have only one goal: coach Christian Schaider’s team wants to secure first place, which, in addition to the Westliga place, also guarantees an ÖFB Cup ticket. It also starts on Friday in the lower play-off, which is all regarding the “golden pineapple”. Hallein meets SAK at home on Friday (19), one day later Anif has to deal with Golling (Saturday, 16) on his own facility. Grödig is free of play.