Image: SEPA
Linz City Police Commander Karl Pogutter said he was “satisfied” with the international premiere last Friday. The crowd was “very disciplined” both on arrival and on the journey home. And that, although the situation on the Gugl was aggravated: 16,500 fans cheered for the national team in the qualifying match against Azerbaijan and at about the same time the Irish tap dance spectacle “Riverdance” took place in the TipsArena with more than 2000 guests.
“We are really happy that most of the visitors to both events took public transport or walked to the Gugl,” the city police commander praised the audience. Only 15 vehicles had to be towed, which is comparatively little.
According to the head of the city police, there were no noteworthy incidents before or after the football game in the new Raiffeisen Arena. However, after the final whistle, the “long wait at the bus stop for the next bus” resulted in a few “moments of stress”. Who can still get on the overcrowded bus, who has to wait another 15 minutes?
“There were a few fights and shoves,” says Pogutter. And: “I would wish for a higher frequency of public transport on such match days.”
His wish was apparently heard: as a spokeswoman for Linz AG announced on Sunday, Linz Linien will have “two additional buses in use” for today’s qualifier against Estonia. On Friday, however, visitors to both events were able to leave “within an hour” by public transport.
Source: Nachrichten
