On Wednesday, Siegendorf – as the only remaining club from Burgenland – meets Wiener Austria in the Austrian soccer cup. A duel David once morest Goliath, which will be pursued by one person in particular – Thomas Parits, Siegendorfer and Austria legend in personal union. He will be 76 in October.
Siegendorf is the home of Thomas Parits. The former team player, Austria striker and manager began his great career on the Siegendorf sports field. “We played for promotion with Wacker Wien that year. That was quite a sensation. I had a good season and scored a few goals,” said Parits.
Parits was a lightning-fast striker who scored ten goals this season at the age of 17 in the Regionalliga Ost, then the second division. The big clubs from Vienna showed interest: first the Sportclub, then Wiener Austria. He became a legend at Austria, scored 82 goals in more than 200 games, achieved many national titles and the European Cup final. He was also a champion as a coach, as well as a sports director. “For me, if you spend 20 years in a club, then you’re attached to the club,” said Parits.
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No surprise expected in the cup game
In between there are also many successful years abroad and as a team player for the man from Siegendorf. The contact back home, in Burgenland, is maintained. He was never homesick, wanted to get on in football and jumped at the chance, Parits said. For Thomas Parits, his heart club remains Austria. Despite the recent financial problems, he sees the future positively.
Thomas Parits, Siegendorfer and Austria legend
“I’m very happy that we managed to finish third last year,” said Parits regarding Austria Wien’s placement. Now he is looking forward to the cup match between Siegendorf and Austria. Heimatgemeinde versus Herzensklub. “They should sell themselves as expensively as possible. Only I think that the difference in quality is so big that there is no surprise there,” says Parits.
