The players should enjoy this sporting experience,” said Union Gurten coach Peter Madritsch before the game in the second round of the ÖFB Cup in an OÖN interview. The Innviertel regional league team met series champions and Champions League participants Red Bull Salzburg in the Josko Arena in Rieder. Particularly impressive: the stands were packed half an hour before the game started, and around 4,000 fans were in the stadium by the time the game kicked off. For comparison: the municipality of Gurten has around 1200 inhabitants.
“It’s sensational what we’ve done here together with SV Ried. The VIP Club is completely sold out. I actually expected a maximum of 2500 spectators, that’s crazy. It’s great that we’re in Ried like this organize a football festival,” said Gurten chairman Gottfried Weinberger before kick-off.
“I’ve had a season ticket for a few years and I’m always there away from home. It makes you proud that we’re always in the newspapers as a third division team. Of course it’s crazy that we’re playing against Salzburg today,” said Gurten’s mayor Petra Mies.
Gurten fully challenges the series master
The absolute favorite from the city of Mozart had a hard time for a long time. The visitors had two good chances in the first half. In the early stages, Gurten goalkeeper Felix Wimmer made a brilliant save from a shot by Roko Simic. The goalkeeper of the Madritsch team was able to excel once again. Wimmer deflected a shot from close range to the bar with a sensational save. The Gurtner team had a good chance in the 35th minute after a free kick by striker Fabian Wimmleitner. However, the attacker’s header went wide of the goal to the right.
Gurtner offside goal
A short time later there was loud cheering in the stadium after the ball landed in the goal after a header. However, the assistant referee ruled offside. Shortly before half-time, Maximilian Wöber hit the post for Salzburg after a free kick. When everyone was expecting the half-time whistle, Gurten’s Florian Schütz became unlucky. He wanted to head the ball back to goalkeeper Wimmer, but was extremely unlucky when he hit his own goal, 0-1 for the Champions League participants.
Decision after 65 minutes
A similar picture presented itself to the spectators in perfect football weather in the first quarter of an hour of the second half. The Gurtner closed the rooms and fought passionately. In the 63rd minute, Gurten goalkeeper Wimmer thwarted Salzburg’s second goal with a double save. A few moments later, Wimmer had no chance with a flick from Dijon Kameri. After 65 minutes the game was decided in favor of the guests.
But the Gurtners by no means gave up. Again and again there was loud applause from the stands after good actions or duels won. Dominic Bauer had a good chance after a corner kick in the 70th minute, but his shot from relatively close range went well over the visitors’ goal. In the 83rd minute, substitute Junior Adamu made it 3-0 after a counterattack.
After the game, the Gurtners were not only loudly celebrated by the Innviertler fans. The many Salzburg fans who had traveled with them also joined in “belt chants”.
Video: The Gurtner were celebrated not only by the home fans, but also by the Salzburg supporters who traveled with them
Source: Nachrichten
