In football Salzburg there has only been one topic in the last few days: the cup derby between Austria Salzburg and Red Bull Salzburg. After the final whistle, a 4-0 win for the Bundesliga club flashed on the scoreboard on Tuesday night in the Grödiger Stadium, which was sold out to the last seat. While some people rave about a brilliant football festival, floodlights, noise and fan marches robbed residents of sleep. As with the match itself, in which one side sees itself as a sporting winner and the other as an intellectual winner, there are also two sides of the coin when it comes to everything else.
Long football evening in Grödig
In order to cope with the influx of fans, numerous precautions had to be taken around the Grödiger Stadium (Flachgau). Streets, various access roads and cycle paths were closed, which was not particularly well received by the residents, as Mayor Herbert Schober (independent) mentioned in an interview with SALZBURG24 on Wednesday morning. In addition, the Violets’ fan march literally led past the houses and yards in the immediate neighborhood. “That caused uncertainty for some people,” says Schober. However, as the police reported in a broadcast, the evening passed without any major incidents.
They got a foretaste of the volume they should expect on Tuesday during Austria’s final training session on Monday evening. Around 150 fans have already joined in for their “Game of Life” to symbolize support for their team. “For these reasons, the residents view the match critically,” summarizes the Grödig local boss.
In particular, most people would have been annoyed by the floodlights, from which you could get an extra portion until after midnight through various shifts.
No Bundesliga football in the Grödig stadium?
Exactly these floodlights could come on every other weekend in the future if Austria were promoted to league two and found asylum in the Grödiger Stadium. Everything is very hypothetical and with a lot of subjunctive. As reported, the Viola would hardly be able to cover the costs without political support or a financial injection from a sponsor. Yesterday’s match cost the violet around 14,000 euros. They also see themselves as a purely city club and prefer to play the games in the state capital anyway.
The community would probably also receive a veto. “Of course I have to look at the citizens, what they want and decide for them,” says Schober, who remembers the local SV Grödig’s three years in the Bundesliga. “There were already complaints back then, mainly because of the floodlights.” Overall, however, the mayor was happy that everything worked on Tuesday.
Stadium and parking lot should be used
However, Schober has no objection to general use of the stadium. But he thinks a little further. “If so, a permanent roundabout would have to be built at the entrance to the Alpine Road. The country has a duty.” Schober sees this solution, which he has already submitted to the responsible authorities, as a “basic requirement” for Bundesliga operations in Grödig. A permanent roundabout would also make sense on non-game days, during the week. “The parking lot could be used as a park and ride for commuters or other events.” Like next Saturday, where 500 to 1,000 visitors are expected at a pump track race.
Austria’s search for a stadium is becoming a political football
Meanwhile, time is slowly running out for the leaders of the Regionalliga West. Where should Austria be promoted to the second Bundesliga? While the previously undefeated Viola is fighting for points in the championship, the stadium issue is becoming more and more of a political issue.
Before the Salzburg derby, Salzburg’s mayor Harald Preuner (ÖVP) somewhat cryptically promised the fans a “Christmas present” or a solution for their home stadium in Maxglan over the stadium microphone. Making the Max Aicher Stadium suitable for the Bundesliga will probably be an almost impossible mammoth task, even for the Christ child. What Preuner’s deputy, Bernhard Auinger from the SPÖ, confirmed in a broadcast on Wednesday: “The Maxglan location will definitely remain for the young talent and the second team. In my opinion, there will be no venue in Maxglan that is suitable for the second division.”
The sports city councilor was enthusiastic about yesterday’s atmosphere in Grödig and is bringing the stadium at the foot of the Untersberg back into the race. “Grödig has proven that it can play in the second league. We should therefore work quickly on a solution for Austria. President (Christian, note) Haas and Mayor Schober are good partners for sport,” said Auinger, who in the same breath blames the city’s ÖVP for the fact that there is still no solution for Austria. “After the good experiences with the Salzburg game of the year, I hope for a quick change in the interests of sport.”
Grödig’s mayor Herbert Schober also knows about Auinger’s intentions: “He is trying hard and there have always been unofficial discussions, but there is no official offer. I also believe that it will not be an issue before the election (in April, note).” And the people in Grödig also have a not so insignificant say.
(Source: SALZBURG24)
2023-09-28 06:55:07
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