Where the Bundesliga chapter began for FC Blau-Weiß Linz in the first game of the season, relegation was also determined: coach Gerald Scheiblehner’s team will also play in the coming season following the 2-0 win at Wolfsberger AC in the upper house. “Now we’re through, it’s an incredible success for the club,” cheered BW coach Scheiblehner, who was also treated to an obligatory beer shower at the dressing room party that followed. What makes him particularly proud? “It’s a huge development, from the whole club and also from the team. We’ve had a lot of highs, a lot of lows, but we’ve become stable and today we’re celebrating.”
The development of his team is obvious: After a modest start to the season, the club always remained calm – and drew the right conclusions: “It was an intense season, with ups and downs. But we always remembered where we came from and always stayed calm. The team and the support staff did an incredible job,” says Blau-Weiß sports director Christoph Schösswendter.
For the 35-year-old, it’s now time to get down to business – it’s no secret that the blue and white team will look different in the coming season: “The pressure was noticeable recently, a huge weight has been lifted from my heart. The fact that there is now certainty makes it easier for me too. But the team will look different next season.”
One player, Tobias Koch, has already decided on a new chapter (Klagenfurt), and Simon Pirkl and Marco Krainz have not yet extended their contracts either. Fabian Windhager and Blau-Weiß will part ways in the summer, with striker Ronivaldo facing an extension. Kristijan Dobras, who made his starting eleven debut once morest the Carinthians this season, would also like to continue playing for the Royal Blues: “Better late than never,” says the 31-year-old with a smile. His contract expires in the summer – he might imagine a future in the steel city: “You can tell that something is happening here, and of course you would like to continue to be involved.”
The party kings of the blue and white
He was also a big number at the celebrations following the game: “Marco Krainz and Kiki Dobras are the party kings in the team,” revealed teammate Ronivaldo. Dobras: “Some players will definitely celebrate, but the real professionals might not.” Is he one of them too? “Often, but probably not today.”
Goalie Nicolas Schmid was probably not one of those who survived the relegation party sober either. “It feels indescribable, we have achieved our big goal. I hope there’s enough beer on the bus.” Paul Mensah also created a great atmosphere: The 24-year-old Ghanaian, who always has a smile on his face, once once more gave his “victory bitch” following the final whistle in the Carinthian away dressing room. Zacke” for the best.
“We will fully attack”
Others were already looking forward once more – like midfielder Simon Seidl: “We will attack fully, something is still possible forward.” And by that he means a possible European Cup playoff, in which the eighth place in the table following the end of the qualifying group in one Game once morest the seventh-place team (currently Vienna Austria) is fighting for the dream of international games.
The winner of this game will then face the fifth-placed team in the championship group in the home and away games. Currently, three rounds before the end of the season, Linz is only three points behind seventh-place Wolfsberg.
Author
Raphael Watzinger
Sports editor
Raphael Watzinger
