After a tough fight including a floodlight failure, Gurten lost to Rapid 2:5

It was the predicted football festival in the cup game between Union Gurten and Rapid in the Klaus Roitinger Stadium in Ried – and a game that will go down in cup history for several reasons. The Gurtners offered the heavy favorites a completely open exchange of blows and were in the lead 2-1 until the 81st minute after goals from Jakob Kreuzer (36th) and Fabian Wimmleitner (76th). After Matthias Seidl equalized, the game went into extra time, which had to be interrupted after five minutes. It became dark in the Klaus Roitinger Stadium and parts of the floodlights failed – the OÖN reported. After the break of more than half an hour, the Bundesliga team came out of the locker room better and ultimately deservedly won the game 5-2 thanks to their increased performance in extra time.

Balanced first half

The first visitors were in the stadium two hours before the game started. The grandstand was filled to capacity with more than 1,200 visitors, and dozens of fans had to stand. Even in the standing room stands there was hardly any free space left. In total, more than 5,000 football fans came, including many Rapid supporters. Of course, “namesake” and SV Ried coach of the century Klaus Roitinger was also among the visitors.

“It’s amazing what the club and the many helpers have achieved here. That makes you proud,” said Gurten’s mayor Petra Mies.

As expected, it was the guests from Vienna who dominated the game at the beginning with longer periods of possession. However, the regional league team had the first chance in the game: a failed header from a Rapid defender after a Zirnitzer cross narrowly missed the goal of Rapid goalie Niklas Hedl. The next good opportunity for the Gurtners only came a minute later: After winning the ball in midfield, Jakob Kreuzer set up teammate Rene Wirth, whose shot also just missed the Rapid goal. The numerous spectators also paid respect to the good opening quarter of an hour. “Stand up if you are Gurtner,” was what was echoing through the stadium when Mikael Gale went down in the penalty area after a challenge with Jakob Horner. Referee Oliver Fehl didn’t hesitate for long and rightly decided on a penalty. Oliver Strunz confidently converted the penalty to give the team a 1-0 lead.

But Gurten didn’t let the early deficit deter him. After a corner, Thomas Reiter came to the ball in a promising finishing position. From the home side’s perspective, the Gurtner captain unfortunately didn’t hit the ball properly and Rapid was just able to clear up the tricky situation.

Kreuzer equalizes after 36 minutes

The guests had their first chance of the game after just under half an hour. Former Gurten kicker Ante Bajic came to the ball on the right side. His sharp cross was found by Oliver Strunz, who really tested Gurten goalie Wimmer for the first time that evening. It was also him who hit a long goal kick forward after 36 minutes. Wimmleitner retained the ball and served strike partner Jakob Kreuzer perfectly, who coolly sank the ball into the left corner to equalize. There was frenetic cheering that had last been heard in this form in the Klaus Roitinger Stadium 20 years ago during the Rieder Bundesliga era. The audience whipped the Gurtner team into halftime. Already at halftime there was strong applause from the stands.

Gurtner tour in the Rapid quarter hour

Rapid coach Zoran Barisic reacted during the half-time break and brought on Matthias Seidl for goalscorer Strunz. Gurten was in charge in the second half. A good Horner finish from a good 30 meters was defused by Hedl. After a good 60 minutes, Rapid had a huge opportunity: Reiter was only able to clear Gale’s stray pass from Bajic, who was ready to take a shot, in extreme distress.

As the game continued, the Gurtners repeatedly had good transition moments. At the beginning of the Rapid quarter of an hour, the strong Rene Wirth was sent on the right side. The winger waited cleverly and fed Fabian Wimmleitner, who was also running along. He took the ball in the penalty area and converted it dryly to give Gurtner the sensational lead.

Just five minutes later, Rapid equalized through substitute Matthias Seidl, who gave goalkeeper Wimmer no chance after a cross from Grgic Gurten. In stoppage time, substitute Maro Grüll had another promising finish, but Wimmer deflected it with a strong save for a corner.

After a forced break, Rapid makes everything clear

At the beginning of extra time, something unbelievable happened: it became dark in the Klaus Roitinger Stadium. Due to power problems, the floodlights failed. The game was stopped for more than 30 minutes. After the forced break, Rapid got into the game much better and immediately took the offensive reins into their hands. After an attempt to defend, Captain Reiter touches the ball with his hand. As with the first penalty decision, the well-positioned referee Huhn didn’t hesitate and pointed to the spot. Marco Grüll loaded Wimmer and gave Rapid the lead again. In the 102nd minute, Rapid completed another attack cleanly: Fally Mayulu only had to push in after a pass from the side to make it 4-2 – the preliminary decision in this memorable cup game. In the second half, Mayulu increased the score to 5:2 with his second goal.

Despite a more than appealing performance, Gurten is eliminated from the ÖFB Cup. This football game will certainly go down in the club’s history, and not just because of the courageous performance of coach Peter Madritsch’s team.

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