ÖFB-Cup: Finale as a test for CoV measures

The lack of mood due to the more or less empty ranks in the Wörthersee Stadium will only be one of the challenges that the kickers of Salzburg and Lustenau must face. Only 200 people, including players, are allowed to attend the first cup final in European football after the corona virus break.

Each finalist was granted a contingent of 42 people, but there was little scope for selection. Many people close to the club therefore have to switch to TV broadcasting this time, just like politicians or VIPs often seen at final matches. Even the ÖFB, as the final organizer, tried to keep its own contingent as small as possible. ÖFB President Leo Windtner, team boss Franco Foda, managing director Bernhard Neuhold and general secretary Thomas Hollerer will be there.

“It is a different situation than in previous years, we have to face it and make the best of it,” Neuhold told APA. Attention must be paid to many small details in order to best implement the prevention concept negotiated by the Bundesliga and the ÖFB with the government. “This is definitely a big challenge because it is an endgame and will bring special emotions”, Neuhold is aware.

Keep emotions under control

It will be difficult to keep emotions in check not only when celebrating the goal, but especially after fixing the title. “We will do everything possible to ensure that the distance rules are respected. We will still have an impact on the two teams in Klagenfurt before and after the game, ”said Neuhold.

Salzburg has made seven finals in the past nine years, winning the title six times. Lustenau, on the other hand, is fighting for the first triumph in the second finale. “Salzburg has probably crumbled there, but if it is the other way around, I don’t know if everyone can keep it in check. I wouldn’t want to guarantee that now, but of course we also have awareness and effort, ”said Lustenau’s sports director Bernd Bösch.

“Want to do the balancing act”

In spite of the restrictions, the organizers will not dispense with a victory celebration and an official cup handover. The winner can lift the cup, which is 70 centimeters high, weighs 12 kilograms and is handmade from 38 individual parts. The medal handover and the winning photo, all taking into account the distance rules, are also planned.

“We want to do the balancing act between a worthy final event and compliance with the current rules when dealing with each other. That is not a sure-fire success, but I believe that with creativity you can find opportunities, ”said ÖFB Managing Director Neuhold. The heads of the association therefore smoked until the day of the game.

Cup watching in the drive-in cinema

This time the fans only have the opportunity to keep their fingers crossed from a distance. In Salzburg you can follow the game in the open-air area at the exhibition center via the drive-in cinema (200 parking spaces). “Special situations require special solutions. I hope that our team will win so that there will still be talk of this ‘Red Bulls’ cup triumph that you once saw in drive-in cinemas, ”said Salzburg’s Managing Director Stephan Reiter.

In Lustenau, various forms of public viewing were also an issue – but the plans were dropped due to health concerns. “But after consulting the community, we decided to let it go because there are simply risks. We are just happy that we can play football again, that this final is taking place, and we don’t want to overuse it, ”said Bösch.

Lustenau sells virtual cards

Austria from Lustenau recently started the cup final challenge. With the ticket income from three different categories (10, 20 or 50 euros), 50 percent of selected Austrian amateur tradition clubs are also supported. “The echo is great. We won’t sell 30,000 tickets now, but there will be a few thousand, ”said Bösch.

The ÖFB decided not to take any action related to the final. “We have also been confronted with many offers and initiatives, but have deliberately said that we do not want to go overboard,” said Neuhold. One might have given the wrong signal or two. Neuhold: “Then it might have been said: Now they want to achieve additional economic benefits by promoting commercial interests.”

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