This year they are still unbeaten and can complete the perfect season with a final victory in front of 40,000 spectators at Schalke and become ELF champions.
The question arises: Is Austria a football country? “Of course,” he says Chris Calaycay. And he must know. The 48-year-old American, who was born in Hawaii, has been a successful coach with the Vikings for two decades now. He has been a member of the Austrian national team support staff for almost as long. Calaycay has played an important role in the rapid rise of football in Austria.
Development worker
Such a development was unimaginable when he came to Vienna via France as a player in 1999. “At my first game in France there were 25 spectators at most,” he recalls, “The Vikings were much smaller too, we were still playing on the Schmelz at that time. For comparison: In the current season, Calaycay and his team have attracted around 11,000 fans to the Generali Arena several times.
He likes to look back on the path he took with Austrian football. The 2014 European Championship final was also memorable, when Austria narrowly lost to Germany, but: “There were almost 30,000 people in the Happel stadium at that time.” And: “Since then, ball- foot in Austria went uphill again ELF, with which the Vikings and the Tirol Raiders also joined, added to this. “That gave another boost, increased interest again.”
Why is that so? “Football in Austria is a success story. And people love success stories.” A lot has been done right in this country in recent years: “Coaching and young talent in the clubs. I coach players here in Vienna whom I have known since they were twelve years old. I’ve known the support team for many years.”
Teamwork is important
Michael Eschlböck, President of the local association AFBÖ, sees it as well. He also highlighted the teamwork of everyone involved. “The fact that everyone is pulling in the same direction is the basis of our current success. “
Calaycay is optimistic about the future: “Everything is possible. Why shouldn’t we play with the Vikings regularly in front of 17,000 fans in the Generali Arena?” And there are no limits when it comes to sports anyway – as Bernhard Raimann has proven. The former Viking is the -currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL, the best league in the world.
The perfect role model for the next generation. There is a good chance that the Eierlaberl will have a longer season in Austria.
2024-09-22 04:14:18
#Austria #number #football #Europe
